A Wandering Winter Hike in Alaska: Sunlight, Fresh Snow, and Drifting Fog

The snow that fell recently left the skies full of clouds, but on this day, the skies opened up and the sun beamed down over all that fresh snow. I decided to wander this river valley because I knew it would give me the most time with the sunlight. The forecast for the coming week shows some heavy snow storms coming in, so I wanted to soak up what I could from this day.
Along with fresh snow and sunlight, fog found its way onto the river from time to time. It would glow in the sunlight and come and go as it pleased and, for some reason, I thoroughly enjoyed its company.
I thought about cutting more footage from this video so it wouldn't be so long, but more and more I'm finding that creating these videos is a valuable part of my experience with nature. It's an opportunity to reflect and remember. So instead of choosing to cater toward the youtube algorithms and the shorter amount of watch time that many viewers prefer, I chose to let this video capture more of the wandering, flowing feeling that filled me there with the sunlight, the fresh snow, and the drifting fog. Perhaps I'll make a condensed version of this video and some of my other longer videos at some point, but for now, I'll just let this one be as it is.

[@starlingblack814]

Thanks Ryan. The beauty and solitude of Alaska has never failed to humble and overwhelm me. I believe that was Pioneer Peak and the Butte in the background. Years ago as a young man in my late teens I used to work on a farm at the base of the butte. I've walked that same river if I am not mistaken regarding your location. It has not changed in the last fifty some years. Now I'm an old man in Arizona watching videos. Thanks for bringing back some incredible memories.

[@AdventureRyan]

You're correct! Pioneer Peak, the Butte, and then Lazy Mountain and Matanuska Peak (or Byers as us long timers call it) made it into the shot at times as well. Glad to be able to stir some memories to life for you. I wandered this river valley a lot in my earlier years as well, so being there always stirs memories for me as well. Take care of Arizona for me down there, a part of my heart still belongs to the desert from my time there--always will.

[@Ve-suvius]

Beautiful.
Also, such an empty space.
No humans to be found for many miles..

[@AdventureRyan]

It is definitely a beautiful place to wander. This river is wild and has carved much of the surrounding land over the years, so it leaves the space empty and quiet. There are houses on the edges, but the the land between belongs to the river.

[@Ve-suvius]

@@AdventureRyan
It almost looks like you're on another planet.

[@AdventureRyan]

It feels surreal at times. I love that feeling, and I love searching for places that help me feel it! Sometimes though, it seems it is less about the actual place and more about whether or not I'm looking for it--really feeling and reaching.

[@Ve-suvius]

@@AdventureRyan
Yeah that feeling can be experienced in more than one way or place for sure.
I spoke to a religious person on UA-cam(there are many fanatics). It was on the Israel/Hamas situation.
He spoke of the Holy land. They should stop killing and fighting on the Holy land. Both Israeli's and Hamas..
I said: "Holy? ". That land is drenched in blood. And for a long time. Thousands of years. There's lots of hate and murder there.
Then, writing my words to him, I thought of your video's. Holy land. Alaska, now that looks like Holy land. It's mythical.
Isn't Holy land where you experience the beauty. Can be anywhere on the planet. Depending on the individual seeing it, feeling it. It's how you feel in what you see.
He probably considers it Holy, due to Jesus and some other historical figures.
But wise people have walked in more places than Israel alone.
Buddha wasn't a shabby guy either. In spiritual matters.
In the end we are all born and we al die. God is there, no matter if you go to church or not. Higher forces in the afterlife are there like gravity is there.
Be nice to people you meet and treat animals also with some care. And that's all to it in my opinion.

[@AdventureRyan]

Well said!