As we move into Spring, I begin to think of getting out more to the back country to do some trekking!

Below is a great post from Ned Tibbits of Mountain Education about some of the challenges that we will be faced with in Spring in the high places. Mountain Education’s contact information is at the bottom of this post if you are interested in contacting them about their educational opportunities. They have trained many how to be safe and have fun in the outdoors!

Have fun out there and see you on the trail, Peter

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From the point of view of one who teaches Wilderness Skills, how to have a successful thru hike, and who is outside in the Sierra every day between 6,000 and 10,000 feet (ski patrol–Heavenly and skills instructor–Desolation Wilderness), here are our thoughts:

There’s no need to be afraid of snow. Just learn how to be safe in it, start earlier so you can slow down and enjoy it, cross the creeks and take lots of pictures! So, if you’re desire is to hike “thru,” from Border to Border, it can certainly be done quite easily and safely. Fear of the unknown and an abundant desire for dry, idealistic trail, we believe, is what motivates hikers to endure the logistical mess of flip-flopping in order to try to find the best trail conditions that will allow the speed they need to attain to make it to Canada before the powder snow starts flying.

If you don’t mind flopping from here to there in that quest, Timothy Nye is absolutely right. It’s all about elevation. Skip the high ones where the snow is and advance to where the trail returns to the low ones. Blow-downs are always a pain in the rear until the trail crew shows up and that might not be until mid-August like when I thru hiked the PCT.

However, we know that our opinions regarding how to thru hike a long trail are not in vogue right now, but they are based on maximizing your personal safety during and rewards from the hike.

Let’s talk strategy and timing. Your only real deadline on the trail is when the snow starts flying up north. Walking through powder snow is forget-it-difficult and snow shoes simply don’t make it much easier. Walking on consolidated, Spring snow when firm in the mornings is easy (the caveat is that you need to know what you’re doing, safety-wise). The Sierra snow pack starts becoming consolidated when the days grow longer, say around March or better yet, April. What this means is the avalanche danger subsides and the snow surface becomes firmer to walk normally on. So, if the Rangers in Manning tell you that the snow may start flying as early as mid-September and are backed-up by the Dinsmore’s observations and recommendations, plan your trip start date from Mexico with that in mind. After you’ve hiked and dreamed for four or six months to see and enter beautiful Canada, who wants to risk being stopped by snow only days or weeks from the crossing? Just leave the Mexican border earlier.

Otherwise, you leave per someone’s “optimal” time frame and have to hike too fast at first, risking injury, disappointment, and disillusion, to make the required pace. Doesn’t anyone ask why about 70% of hikers drop off the trail? How many of them leave their “dream-of-a-lifetime” hike because going the speed that’s required has unforeseen consequences (physical as well as
emotional) because they didn’t test themselves in it and with it during their planning stage?

So, here it is from Mountain Education:
- start between mid-March and mid-April,
- give yourself plenty of time to go slow and enjoy (doesn’t mean that some people can’t go fast and find enjoyment, just know why you’re out there and know what that speed will do for you),
- hike straight through and slow down the schedule when the going gets tough, like in the Sierra,
- find out in advance, during your planning and training stage, what the realities of the trail experience will really be and practice in them, train for them, and equip yourself for them, so that when they actually happen you will be safe, not sorry or painfully in jeopardy, and able to comfortably continue on, whether they be nasty creek crossings, miserable weather, lots of blow-downs, dangerous terrain, insufficient food, or just that you don’t have the right gear when you need it.
- minimize time spent off-trail. If your goal is to absorb all the mountain experience has to offer and see everything between Mexico and Canada, don’t loose sight of it by blowing your schedule in town. Here’s a novel idea–work out your menu such that you actually like it from the start, meaning that you won’t have to go to towns frequently to make changes and can receive resupply boxes at road crossings and stay on the trail and able to go slower. What this will mean, also, is that you will have to test your menu on long test hikes, like on the 3-week John Muir Trail. [Yes, we're aware that any diet can become disgusting over time, but consider your pre-trip planning/preparation to be critical and take those hikes to test your "systems" of food, gear, and clothing under the conditions realistically expected!] (If a big part of your reason for hiking along a high, mountainous trail are the social benefits of going off-trail into towns, then at least plan more time for these.) (This includes flip-flopping–how much time and money are consumed doing this? Wouldn’t it just be easier in the long run to learn the skills to deal with the obstacles anticipated and just continue moving forward?)

There’s no need for modifying your hike if you knew what you were getting into in the first place. If you find out in advance and train your “systems”
for it, you’ll be better off. However, it will take more commitment and effort, foresight and determination, focus and time, and a willingness to consider thru-hiking strategies that have fallen out of vogue at the moment.

“Just remember, Be Careful out there!”

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
P: 888-996-8333
F: 530-541-1456
C: 530-721-1551

http://www.mountaineducation.org

Here is a very well put together post by a fellow hiker that happens to be a doctor. I have read many of his post on the web and this one is one I felt that should be passed on.

Remember be safe and see you on the trail, Peter

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From the PCT-List by Ken Murray:

In medical practice, there is a saying: “First, do no harm”

There is a lot of chatter about applying stitches, by folks who have never done it, and don’t know the problems involved. So, as a physician and surgeon, who has sewn up thousands of people, and teaches the skills at a medical school, lets go over the issues, and see if you REALLY want to get involved.

When the skin is disrupted, there are several problems: we usually have bleeding, and we have lost the defense against infection of the skin. Applying stitches to stop bleeding is not the correct action, nor even probably possible, in the field.

So the issue is the re-establishment of the skin protective barrier. When one *correctly* stitches a wound, one re-established the barrier immediately. But there are assumptions contained within this action!

It’s the assumptions that always get you.

-We never apply stitches to a dirty wound. When we say dirty, we mean non-sterile. GENERALLY, we prefer a wound that has been CREATED in a sterile environment, such as an operation room. It is a phenominally important part, perhaps THE most important part of applying stitches, the wound preparation.

-Bleeding must be completely stopped. Otherwise, a pool of blood will accumulate under the skin which is a perfect “petri dish” for an infection. A slow “ooze” can really mess this up.

-The wound must be lavishly flushed with fluid. This would be measured in gallons, not quarts. You would want some pressure behind it. In the ER, we use a pressure device, in the field, holding a container several feet above the wound would work. The tiniest bit of foreign matter left in a wound increases the rate of infection 1000-fold.

-It is CRITICAL to remove any devitalized (dead) tissue from the wound. If a wound is closed with this inside, it is a perfect growth medium for infection. This means that you have to be able to recognize what is devitalized, and what is not, and CUT AWAY the bad stuff. (Hard to do without good instruments, BTW). You also need to get the edges of the wound smooth and lined up. Trying to sew something that is 3 inches on one side to 5 inches on the other side is not simple.

-You want to maintain the sterility of the wound that you have so carefully prepared. The problem is, as soon as you take that sterile suture pack out of the package, it is contaminated. Sewing needles are not sterile, dental floss is not sterile, my hands are DEFINITELY not sterile, no matter how much I wash them. So we KNOW that we will have a contaminated wound.

-Now we come to the sewing itself. There are a lot of stitches one can use, but this is not like sewing a shirt. From the top of the wound, the line needs to run to the bottom of the wound, so that when the line is tightened, there is no space left, or else it fills up with blood/fluid, once again a perfect place for infection to get started, particularly in a contaminated wound.

-Assuming repetitive single interrupted stitches (by FAR the best for anyone but experts at this to use), it is CRITICAL to tighten the stitches PRECISELY and CORRECTLY. If you tie them too loosely, you have not re-established the protective barrier of the skin, and the whole thing has been a waste of time. But if you tie it too TIGHTLY, you will reduce the circulation into the wound, which carries the healing elements, including the components of the immune system that fights off infection, and HUGELY increases the risk of infection.

-If there is a lot of abrasion, which is common in traumatic wounds, you want to be careful where you place the stitches. It the stitch runs through the abrasion field, it will inhibit healing and promote infection. There is a certain amount of technique involved.

-Here we run into the problem of swelling. When the skin has been injured by a severe enough traumatic wound to consider stitches, it has sustained a lot of secondary injury (this is where an injury wound is very different than a created wound in the operating theater). As a result, the area of the wound WILL swell during the next 24 hours. That means that the stitches that were placed at the correct tightness at the time of repair, will gradually over the course of hours become TOO TIGHT, and STRANGULATE the wound, cutting off the circulation. Yikes!

-Surgeons have special techniques of tying knots that have the effect of being like “shock absorbers”, so that they gradually expand to accomodate swelling of a sewn wound, and eliminate the above effect. However, this would be difficult to do with non-medical grade materials, and without instruments, as one would have in the field.

The bottom line is that MOST of the time, sewing a wound in the field WILL result in an infected wound, and you have converted a relatively simple problem into a relatively complex problem. Management of a sewn, infected wound, is a real problem. You MUST remove the stitches to manage the infection.

So, what do do? We teach never to close (by stitching or gluing(I’m not a glue fan, BTW)) a wound in the field. I never would. Leave the wound open, but covered. Clean it with plain soap and water (alcohol, bad, iodine, bad) multiple times a day. Slap some neosporin on it, cover. They will ALMOST NEVER become infected. They will heal beautifully. You can do a whole lot wrong with this technique, and things will still turn out perfectly ok.

If one cannot manage with the open wound, then you have to leave the trail, and have the wound taken care of.

Concepts in first aid management of wounds has evolved a lot in the last few decades, based upon increasingly good information and research. It is probably a good idea for anyone embarking on the PCT to avail themselves of a current WFA or better course, but even taking one of the free online first aid courses would be better than nothing.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

_______________________________________________

Over the course of my hiking, backpacking and mountaineering, carrying water has come a long way. I remember when it was in an aluminum disk in a canvas carrying case that hooked to the belt or was draped over the shoulder. With the invention of the water bladder, staying hydrated has never been easier! The water or electrolyte balanced drink(this is what I carry) is just a second away from the delivery tube attached where it is readily available.

I must have about 15 bladders in my outdoor gear cabinet. Last year while cruising through my local outfitter I came across a new style of bladder. Instead of the screw top it has a fold over flap with a pin that secures the flap. After my field testing, I would never purchase any other type of bladder! It is easy to open and close and is always secure. Cleaning has never been easier. Plus, I have never had a leak! I have more than once found the inside of my pack soaked from a leaking screw top bladder, never again!

The only change that I had to make was to add a cord to the pin that secures the flap, if the pin got lost you would be without the use of your bladder! I almost dropped the pin into a stream once, this lead me to adding the cord so it could not get away!

Remember, stay well hydrated and I will see you on the trail! Peter

I can across this posting on the PCT List, it is a post that was listed by a Pacific Crest Trail thru hiker on his trail journal.

This made me think of the times that I had a fire in questionable conditions. From now on I will be carrying a couple of meals that do not need to be cooked.

Happy Holiday to you all and see you on the trail!

Peter

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A Fire Story

Don’t Learn My Lesson the Hard Way

In mid-May while hiking the PCT in Cottonwood Canyon just north of I-10 on a very hot and windy day I stopped for the night. After setting up my tent I cleared an area about three feet across of anything that might burn and started cooking my supper. For cooking I put an ounce or two of denatured alcohol in an old potted meat can. I have a wire stand for my pot and an aluminum wind screen. When my water starts boiling my practice is to lift my pot, move my wire stand and put the pot back on the can to put the fire out and save any unburned fuel. As I was doing this some grass outside my cleared area caught fire. I immediately jumped up and started stamping out flames and kicking dirt on them. It was no use. The flames spread faster than I could put them out and soon the fire was racing up the canyon out of my control. While I was trying to keep the fire from spreading downwind a small part of it spread upwind and burned part of my tent and my pack and some other equipment. After what seemed a long time some firefighters came and put out the fire. Afterwards they told me that fifty acres of grass had burned. I feel very fortunate. Once that fire left my fire ring I had no control over whether it was fifty acres or fifty thousand or more importantly whether anyone (including the firefighters) was seriously injured or killed.

In the months since I have spent a lot of time thinking about why this fire happened and how to keep anything like this from happening to another hiker.

I am a 58 year old grandfather. Young and reckless is not the problem. I have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and done most of it again in sections.

Inexperience is not the problem. I am a pilot and a sailor. My collateral duty in the Marine Corps was Safety Officer. A casual attitude about safety issues is not the problem. I was not cooking in or around my tent or equipment. I cleared off what I thought was a big enough ring and was as careful as I could be. No fuel was spilled. After the fire my pot was sitting on top of my stove which had unburned fuel inside. I thought I was being careful. I was wrong! What I know now is that my concept of the risk involved was purely theoretical. The reality is that on an average day in Southern California there is more risk of a serious fire that on the worst day I’ve ever seen at home on the East Coast or on the AT. When the temperature is over one hundred, the humidity is low and the wind is blowing, things dry out very quickly. Ironically in a year like this when there has been a lot of rain the risk is worse because there is more to burn. I’ve also considered the type of stove I was using and whether using my old MSR would have kept this from happening. I don’t believe it would have. What I know now is that I could not have been careful enough and the only sure way to keep this from happening was to eat a cold supper.

In California there are serious criminal and civil penalties for causing a fire like this. The personal feelings of guilt and remorse are serious as well. It is impossible to describe the helplessness I felt watching fire spread up that canyon. I can’t imagine what it would feel like had there been serious property damage or personal injury. I hope that others will read this and realize that if this happened to me it can happen to them. A pot of Lipton Noodles is not worth it. Please be careful!

I am in the market for an emergency or life saving device that will work where the mobile phone does not provide service to call for assistance. I have narrowed my search down to two devices that meet the requirements but provide two different subsets of functionality. The Spot II Satellite GPS Messenger or the ACR Electronics Sarlink View 406 Personal Locator Beacon. Both devices send a rescue signal but in different ways.

Lets look at a break down of the features of both devices:

Ok, there is a lot to take in here. If you go to the device websites (click on the table title links above) you can find more details. I have only listed what I thought to be the most important. Also I have read quit a few reviews and both seem to preform well. Note: The Spot is in it second generation and is better than the prior version of the device.

If I only want to do a price comparison, lets do it over a five year period. I will have to make some assumptions about battery cost for the Spot and insurance for the ACR. I will also figure all the features available for both. The numbers work out as follows $220 per year for the Spot and $200 per year for the ACR.

Now that we have determined that cost is almost equal over a five year period, I have to decide where I will be using the device. If I will be using the device outside of the coverage area of the Spot, the decision is easy for the ACR.

As for me, I do not feel that I will not be outside the coverage area of the Spot in the near future and I do like all of the features. So, at least for me I will be asking Santa to bring me a Spot 2 for Christmas…

Stay tuned for upcoming posts, I will be bringing more details once the device is field tested!

Remember, it is also important to be prepared for the worst (see the 10 essentials post) and these devices should only be used in situations of grave and imminent danger, and only as a last resort when all means of self-rescue have been exhausted.

See you on the trail and Happy Holidays, Peter

By putting these principles to work, they will keep our wild areas pristine for generation to come!

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide.

Go to this website to check it out – Leave No Trace

Here are the principles:

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste.
Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find

Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises

Well, it has been a busy spring and summer. I wish it included more time out on the trail, but with buying a new house and building business, I could only squeeze a few trips in. One of the best was a trip to Sequoia National Park.

Sequoia Trees at the John Muir Grove

We stayed in Dorst Campground and did a multitude of day trips. The area was great to explore and even with it being Labor Day weekend once we were off on the trail, you would not know how many people were there!

We hiked to Little Baldy, Moro Rock, Crescent Meadow, the John Muir Grove and more! The hike up Tokopah Valley along the Kaweah River lead to the Tokopah Falls. There was not much water running in the river, but still is absolutely beautiful and we found a nice pool for a cool dip, we even had to share it with a black bear!

Nice view across the Tokopah Valley

Of course I have to mention the sequoia trees. I had never seen them before and they are truly amazing. Standing in the John Muir Grove and looking up to the canopy of these giant trees was a moving experience. We also walked through the Giant Forest to view the largest tree (by volume) in the world: General Sherman. All the trees in this grove are BIG!

Sequoia National Park is a trip you will want to put on your list. While we were exploring the area I found a trail this is going on my life list. This trail is the High Sierra Trail(not to be confused with the High Sierra Route). The HST runs from Crescent Meadow in the Sequoia National Park to Whitney Portal across the Western Divide. We will be delivering more information and maps at OnTheTrail.org soon!

Also since we brought up the High Sierra Route, the 7.5 maps will be available by the end of the year! The 500k and 100k maps are already available on our SHR page.

Enjoy and see you on the trail. Peter

The Western Divide from Little Baldy

I came across this website that provides trail profiles to many of the popular trails across the US. http://parkaymaps.110mb.com/ has links to elevation profiles, maps and google earth files that have been created by Chris Johnson aka Mr. Parkay.

The elevation profiles are a great resource for planning your trip and are fun to look at! Enjoy his work.

See you on the trail, Peter

As we prepare for our back country excursions this is the time of year to pack some of the most important items, mosquito control and prevention items! I carry at least a head netting and a good DEET formula. I have tried may and have found for me that the 3M Ultrathon works best.

Below I found this article from an unknown source about mosquito preparedness. I hope it helps you in the backcountry and see you on the trail, Peter

******

Mosquito control for severe conditions

Encountering and suffering from mosquitoes seems to be part of the Sierra experience, especially in early summer. Severe conditions can range from the annoying, to producing actual danger from skin infections resulting either from the bites themselves, or from secondary scratching. Under the worst conditions, people can experience thousands of bites, and the incessant buzzing can make grown people cry.

Each year, those highly experienced on the trails encounter numerous people who are learning, the hard way, that many things touted for mosquito control do not work for most people.

Comparison of various repellents:

http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/IPM/Landscape/F2/InsectRepellents.htm

Beyond any question or debate, DEET (N,N-Diethyltoluamide) is the best product available to place on the skin that consistently works well. Frequently heard is concern that DEET may be a toxic chemical, but this is far from true. DEET is one of the most-used chemicals in the world, and it has been among the most-tested chemicals that exists. WHEN USED AS DIRECTED, it is very safe. The very rare situations in which side effects have occurred, it has been when the directions were NOT followed, such as immersing a child in it. Picardin and Oil of Eucalyptis are other options, although they are not as strong, don’t last as long, and are not studied anywhere near as much.

A newer product for mosquito protection, is permethrin, a product that has been used for the treatment of lice for decades. In it’s mosquito usage, it is applied ONLY to clothing and allowed to dry. It works best when the material is saturated. Unlike DEET, which is only a repellent and does no harm to the insect, permethrin BOTH repels mosquitoes and also kills them!! It will remain active through at least 5 washings, or several months. There have been virtually no reactions reported worldwide after decades of use. Ths standard use for lice is to coat a child in permethrin, at ten times the clothing dose, for 8 hours. This is so safe, it is over the counter treatment.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the World Health Organization both recommend the use of BOTH permethrin and DEET for maximal protection, especially in regions where mosquito disease transmission exists.

Those who have used the combination in bad mosquito areas find the combination remarkable at keeping the bugs at bay. Additionally, the permethrin eliminates biting through treated clothing.

For those who are afflicted by these insects, this represents a major step forward.

First off, I want to say that I am back from a month and a half sabbatical from my blogging. I have been busy with packing, moving, fixing and painting a newly acquired home. Unpacking, finding things that I swear were packed in a certain box, but can’t be found. Painting (did I already say painting), installing a couple new doors, fixing a leaky toilet, learning how to maintain and care for a pool, the list goes on.

A few days ago I began subscribing to newspapers from around the country on my Kindle. I have found it interesting to follow some of the local news around the country. I did come across this article in the Anchorage Newspaper and wanted to pass it along.

The West is really dry and fires of course are bad in my home of Southern California. I have even heard of outbreaks up and down the Pacific Crest Trail. Now I am learning that even Alaska is having a real bad time.

So, be careful out there. Make sure you follow safe and proper fire regulations!

See you on the Trail, Peter

Anchorage Daily News
Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Alaska wildfire activity called unprecedented The Turquoise Lake fire burning along the South Fork of the Kuskokwim River has already consumed 57,000 acres and several structures, including the Farewell Lake Lodge.
By JAMES HALPIN and BLAIRE MALONEY Anchorage Daily News

Faced with 95 active wildfires and lightning bolts by the hundreds, Alaska wildfire officials Tuesday called fire activity for the month of May "unprecedented" and warned that the risk of more wildfires is high and that their resistance to control is nearing extreme. Thirteen of the fires were staffed with 1,467, firefighters, including some 900 people from the Lower 48, while others were burning unchecked in what has to date been an uncommonly hot and dry Alaska spring. The fire activity Tuesday prompted the National Interagency Coordination Center to elevate Alaska to Preparedness Level IV, topping every other region in the country. "We are now the national priority, which is good because that helps us in terms of getting resources, both people and equipment," said Pete Buist, a spokesman for the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center. The National Weather Service was predicting some respite in much of the state — cooler temperatures and some precipitation — but at the expense of accompanying thunderstorms. More than 2,000 lightning bolts snapped down on Alaska on Monday, with more lightning expected through the week, according to the interagency fire center. Near Anchorage, a wildfire burning about two miles south of Eklutna Lake, fueled by whipping winds Monday, exploded from 300 acres 1,300, fire officials said Tuesday. Cooler temperatures and more cloud cover helped firefighters hold a critical defensive line constructed during the night. But firefighters were bracing for strong afternoon winds that would put them to the test. There were 110 firefighters on the blaze, but they were hampered by steep canyon walls and thick smoke. The fire was considered uncontained Tuesday morning. The East Fork Trail has been closed until further notice, but the Eklutna campground remains open. Thick smoke prompted fire officials to advise people sensitive to smoke to stay indoors and avoid strenuous physical activity. Near McGrath, the Turquoise Lake fire was burning uncontrolled on 56,000 acres in a remote area. Last week it destroyed four cabins, the Farewell Lake Lodge and several outbuildings, and on Tuesday the fire was continuing to threaten 12 cabins in the vicinity, said Gary Lehnhausen, a spokesman for the state Division of Forestry. "I know they went out there to do structure protection and the fire was some of the most extreme conditions that people around here had ever seen," Lehnhausen said. "They basically had enough time to pick up the caretaker and leave before the fire overran the whole place." Crews on Monday attempted to drop a load of retardant on the holdover fire, but smoke was so dense they couldn’t see to drop it, he said. Crews Tuesday concentrated on several high-profile fires that have consumed vast quantities of forest acreage. The largest among them was the Eagle Trail fire, burning 13,200 acres about a half mile south of Tanacross, which is staffed with more than 500 firefighters. Crews say it is 15 percent contained. The Gilles Creek fire, burning about 20 miles north of Delta Junction, had consumed 16,400 acres of wildland growth and was staffed by more than 252 firefighters. The Toklat fire, about 25 miles southwest of Nenana, had burned 127,176 acres and was staffed by nearly 200 firefighters. The small McClain Lake fire continued to burn in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the east side of Swanson River, according to fire information officer Brian Ballou. The fire covered 40 acres. "No immediate structures seemed to be threatened" Ballou said. So far this year, 276 wildfires have burned through an estimated 353,000 acres statewide. Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call him at 257-4589.