If you read my blog at all, you know that I try to visit Alaska every year. Most of Alaska is trail-less. Adding to the adventure, Alaska is big. As a newbie, you can look across a valley and think, we can get there by the end of the day. Then you realize, that in some areas, that is never going to happen. This is especially true inside the Arctic Circle where tussocks are common.
High Latitude Tundra
Alaska has high-latitude tundra. This is found at latitudes greater than 55-60 degrees. The tundra results from minimal warming by the sun, long cold winters, cool summers, and high latitudes. The dark winters and persistent high winds also contribute to the extended cold temperatures. In areas where there is permafrost, the temperature and thin layer of poorly drained soil, make plant growth difficult. When precipitation falls, it is trapped by the frozen ground that lies a couple of inches to a few feet below the surface. The result is tundra wetlands.
Close up of Tussocks Terrain
Tussocks
In areas where there is less standing water, tussock-forming plants grow. Tussocks are a shrub common in some valleys and slopes in the Arctic and they make travel nearly impossible. It is the shape of tussock that makes travel so difficult. I best describe them as mushroom shaped clumps of vegetation that, in well-established areas, can be 1-2 feet tall with tops sturdy enough for me to stand on. In between the tussocks, is various amounts of water. They are like a mosaic of islands in a wetland. On a positive note, they provide a foothold for other vegetation to thrive. By preventing travel by most except moose, they protect their own environment.,
Hiking
Areas with trees provide a slight respite from the impassible terrain. Although there are still tussocks, years of additional vegetation growth forms more regular terrain. In these areas, travel is a little easier. Our original plan was to hike across the tussock field in the top photo. Of course, after about 3 hours, that idea was aborted. Traveling 2 miles in 3 hours is not fun.
Alaska is about adventure, so on to plan two. Hiking to the top of the mountain in the photo to the right was doable and fun. The frozen ground, snow, and less prominent tussocks are what allowed us to complete the trek. Although not easy, the views at the top were amazing.
I could lighten the photo, but I only resize my photos. The lower half of the photo is shady. That's what it looked like!
Hiking Tussocks to the Top
