Hell and Terror or an Adventure of a Lifetime with Alaska Chick
~I've been writing like I never have before, out in the field, thinking of telling the story in such a way to allow each one of you to be here with us. (This one is a tough one.) First, I need to tell you (yes, you.) thank you. You very well may have given me the strength to do (and survive) the hardest thing I have yet encountered.
There are so many days and each one is at the very least, an adventure of it's own. I have been guiding for Pioneer Outfitters and Master Guide Terry Overly since the fall of 1995 and this last hunt, during the last 10 days, I found myself, along with my client and trainee, in a situation that I have simply, never had to find that particular piece inside myself to hold onto.
~I miss you all so much, I wanted to be sure I told you that. Each one of you, has given me something these last months, that I didn't realize was missing, that I really needed. "What?" I will tell you.
Learning all that I have learned since February of this year, starting with HubSpot and HubSpot's Content Camp, which in turn led me to each one of you...
I wrote this one out a few days after this "event" as my body and mind settled down, but I find now the whole story willl have to wait. It is hunting season here in Chisana, Alaska with Pioneer Outfitters. 50 Days of intense and unrelentless physical and mental strain and punishment is well underway.
So, the experience? The rush and satisfaction, the thrill of the Dall Sheep on the ground, the completion of a dream and a job well done did not diminish the fact that the sun was going down fast and that we needed to get off the mountain before full dark.
As we climbed the backside of the mountain to get back across it, we realized we may not be able to cross the 2 mile wide top and descend the front before the dark overtook us, and still we had no idea what lay ahead. As the sun set on the snowstorms that had been surrounding us all day, we walked swiftly diagonally across the enormous Flat Top.
Headlights and flashlights we dug out of packs on the move and still the sun set bringing the chill that warned us each that the wilderness of Alaska can be unforgiving and lethal. We reached the front of the mountain just as full dark settled around us, the height giving the illusion that there was still a little time to begin the descent.
The shadows made it unbelievably difficult to decide on which draw would be the safest and quickest way down to reach the horses and the decision made, we began our descent.
What followed was the most difficult responsibility I have ever experienced. (really) I need to say now, that I have never, in all the years that I have had a part in training or observing future Alaska Assistant Guides, been more blessed or honored to be partnered with a young individual such as our "Ruger."
As the professional guide responsible for the charges with me, I can honestly admit that I was not a happy camper! The descent was treacherous and every step was an exercise in terror that the rocks would shift. We were all three, exhausted and parched as we had run out of water, bruised from the falls we each took and scraped from the rocks hitting us from the loosening of our path.
We sat together at one point quietly in the pitch black, gathering our strength and thinking each our own thoughts. I don't know what Ruger or Bob were thinking of, in those moments, but I thought of my children, Boss (who would be, by this point in the night I was certain, worried) and the new people and friends I had met online these last months.
With tears stinging my eyes and burning my throat, I breathed deep and slow, knowing without any doubt we had to get off the face of that mountain and to the horses. I prayed a short prayer for strength, knowing my own was gone.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, and it was Ruger. He leaned into me and quietly said, "Do you remember the story I told you? Do you remember seeing the scar my Dad has, this summer, I spoke to you about when you asked?" I only nodded, not wanting to trust my voice. "We can do this, Amber. We will be ok. I can see and I'll get us all down, safely. Don't worry."
On shaky legs we got back up and started again, one step at a time, straight down. After what seemed like eternity, we reached the horses and the creek. There was no debate, we would spend the night right where we stood. After unsaddling the horses and spreading the saddle pads and wool blankets on the ground and drinking our fill of the icy water, we each tried for a little of the joyful banter of the hunt and appreciation to higher powers for turning the covered, cloudy black sky into a rich blanket of stars, we slept our exhausted sleep.
Everyone got off the mountain safely, and looking back at it as we rode towards our camp, I thanked God one more time for keeping us safe and for sending me Ruger to help me hold onto that faith and strength.
I am heading back out today, into the field, and though I have so much more to share with you, I hope you will be patient with me in getting it up here and to you. I picked a bunch of photos to share with you from this last hunt and I hope you enjoy them. You are in my heart and on my mind and you are with me, each day into the wilderness and whatever lays ahead. Together, we are strong enough to do anything. Anything at all.
Finally, to bring you up to date on the sucess of this last hunt. Bob was incredibly happy to have Dall Sheep hunting "out of his system" (!!LOL!!) with a beautiful and classic 38" ram. Tim was equally as honored and thrilled (although, he couldn't possibly be as overjoyed as I still am!!) with his 70" Alaska-Yukon Moose bull with an unofficial score of 239 for Boon and Crocket.
I am, Alaska Chick.
“As you look, really look, and find no words; feeling both, your heart healing and filling to an inner bursting point and feeling that your soul has been laid open to the breeze and wind like a raw wound. This takes you beyond the physical, past the mental; this is the spiritual element. This is Chisana.”
My name is Amber-Lee Dibble and I am the Manager at Pioneer Outfitters. We are located in the Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve, our nation’s largest, most unexplored, unexploited and untouched National Park.
I am Mom, the Manager and the lead Guide of the Extreme Pro Team Guides. Born a Capricorn 1, Week of the Ruler, on the Day of The Indomitable One.
Pioneer Outfitters has been taking people into the wilderness of Alaska on horseback for Spiritual, Pleasure, Gold Panning, Glacier Exploring and Historic Trail Pack Trips, as well as Big Game Hunting and Survival & Guide Training since 1924. We, our family and our horses have always lived here year-round. As we make our life, we make our “living.”
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