Sports

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Nordic Ski Team and community cross-country skiers start the Shaky Shakeout Invitational six-kilometer freestyle mass start race Saturday at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears cross-country skiers in sync

JDHS Nordic Ski Team tunes up for state with practice race

 

Thunder Mountain Middle School eighth grader Carter Day of the Blue Barracuda Bombers attempts to pin classmate John Croasman of War Hawks White during the inaugural Thunder Mountain Mayhem Team Duels wrestling tournament Saturday at TMMS. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Inaugural Thunder Mountain Mayhem Tournament makes most of weather misfortune

More than 50 Falcons wrestlers compete amongst themselves after trip to Sitka tourney nixed.

 

An adult double-crested cormorant flies low. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Some January observations

One day, late in January, a friend and I watched two Steller sea lions swimming near Pt. Louisa. One of them held a front flipper… Continue reading

 

In this file photo Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Cailynn, left, and Kerra Baxter, right, battle for a rebound against Dimond High School. The Baxters led JDHS in scoring this weekend at Mt. Edgecumbe with Cailynn hitting 23 on Friday and Kerra 28 on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)

JDHS girls sweep Mt. Edgecumbe on the road

Crimson Bears show road strength at Braves’ gym.

In this file photo Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Cailynn, left, and Kerra Baxter, right, battle for a rebound against Dimond High School. The Baxters led JDHS in scoring this weekend at Mt. Edgecumbe with Cailynn hitting 23 on Friday and Kerra 28 on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire file photo)
Mt. Edgecumbe senior RJ Didrickson (21) shoots against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Brandon Casperson (5), Joren Gasga (12) and seniors Ben Sikes and Pedrin Saceda-Hurt (10) during the Braves’ 68-47 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Braves poke Bears again, win 68-47

Mt. Edgecumbe survives second night in JDHS den.

Mt. Edgecumbe senior RJ Didrickson (21) shoots against Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé juniors Brandon Casperson (5), Joren Gasga (12) and seniors Ben Sikes and Pedrin Saceda-Hurt (10) during the Braves’ 68-47 win over the Crimson Bears on Saturday in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Matthew Plang (22) skates away from Wasilla senior Karson McGrew (18) and freshman Dylan Mead (49) during the Crimson Bears’ 3-1 win over the Warriors at Treadwell Ice Arena on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey home season finishes with a split

Crimson Bears topple Wasilla, but fall to Tri-Valley.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Matthew Plang (22) skates away from Wasilla senior Karson McGrew (18) and freshman Dylan Mead (49) during the Crimson Bears’ 3-1 win over the Warriors at Treadwell Ice Arena on Saturday. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Matthew Plang (22), senior goalie Caleb Friend (1), Tri-Valley's Owen Jusczak (74), JDHS junior Elias Schane (10), JDHS sophomore Bryden Roberts (40) and JDHS senior Emilio Holbrook (37) converge on a puck near the Crimson Bears net during Friday's 8-3 JDHS win over the Warriors at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Crimson Bears ending regular season with wins

Weekend double matches builds excitement for state tournament

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Matthew Plang (22), senior goalie Caleb Friend (1), Tri-Valley's Owen Jusczak (74), JDHS junior Elias Schane (10), JDHS sophomore Bryden Roberts (40) and JDHS senior Emilio Holbrook (37) converge on a puck near the Crimson Bears net during Friday's 8-3 JDHS win over the Warriors at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson (5) attempts a shot against Mt. Edgecumbe senior Donovan Stephen-Standifer, sophomore Kaden Herrmann (13), sophomore Royce Alstrom and senior Richard Didrickson Jr. (21) during the Crimson Bears 80-66 loss to the Braves on Friday in the George Houston Gymnasium. The two teams play again Saturday at 6 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Visiting Braves earn win over Crimson Bears

Mt. Edgecumbe takes game one over JDHS, game two Saturday.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Brandon Casperson (5) attempts a shot against Mt. Edgecumbe senior Donovan Stephen-Standifer, sophomore Kaden Herrmann (13), sophomore Royce Alstrom and senior Richard Didrickson Jr. (21) during the Crimson Bears 80-66 loss to the Braves on Friday in the George Houston Gymnasium. The two teams play again Saturday at 6 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Ned Rozell sits at the edge of the volcanic crater on Mount Katmai during a trip to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes in 2001. (Photo by John Eichelberger)

Alaska Science Forum: Thirty years of writing about Alaska science

When I was drinking coffee with a cab-driving-author friend of the same vintage last week, he said of my occupation: “It’s the best job in… Continue reading

Ned Rozell sits at the edge of the volcanic crater on Mount Katmai during a trip to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes in 2001. (Photo by John Eichelberger)
Juneau Ski Club’s U16 athlete Angus Andrews races in the men’s giant slalom during the Coca-Cola Classic race series on Wednesday at the Alyeska Race Trail in Girdwood. (Photo courtesy Bob Eastaugh)

Andrews, Meyer earn giant slalom podiums

Juneau Ski Club finally gets first races of the season.

Juneau Ski Club’s U16 athlete Angus Andrews races in the men’s giant slalom during the Coca-Cola Classic race series on Wednesday at the Alyeska Race Trail in Girdwood. (Photo courtesy Bob Eastaugh)
A view of Denali as seen from near the end of the Denali National Park and Preserve park road. (Klas Stolpe)

Pure Sole: Denali has always answered

Call it what you will, Denali or Mount McKinley, it still rises majestically toward the heavens. I have been among the hundreds of thousands of… Continue reading

A view of Denali as seen from near the end of the Denali National Park and Preserve park road. (Klas Stolpe)
The author’s hopper and stonefly tying days are behind him. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Tie one on

As a kid I threw spinners and spoons, and didn’t bother to learn the impact of bugs in a salmon or trout’s life. No. 5… Continue reading

The author’s hopper and stonefly tying days are behind him. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears seniors pose for a photo during Senior Night last weekend at Treadwell Ice Arena.They play final home games this weekend. On Friday facing Tri-Valley at 1:45 p.m. and Wasilla at 7 p.m. and on Saturday playing Wasilla at 3 p.m. and Tri-Valley at 8 p.m. JV play Thursday at 3:30 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey marathon includes Warriors doubleheader

Crimson Bears will play Tri-Valley and Wasilla to end the regular season.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears seniors pose for a photo during Senior Night last weekend at Treadwell Ice Arena.They play final home games this weekend. On Friday facing Tri-Valley at 1:45 p.m. and Wasilla at 7 p.m. and on Saturday playing Wasilla at 3 p.m. and Tri-Valley at 8 p.m. JV play Thursday at 3:30 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys junior varsity team pose for a photo at Hoonah last week. (Photo courtesy JDHS)

JDHS JV and C teams earn road wins

JV play at Hoonah, C team travels to Petersburg.

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé boys junior varsity team pose for a photo at Hoonah last week. (Photo courtesy JDHS)
Thunder Mountain Middle School grappler Momar Diouf wrestles an opponent from Thorne Bay during the Stikine Wrestling Championships last weekend in Wrangell. (Photo courtesy TMMS)

Thunder Mountain Middle School pins Stikine title

Falcons grapplers dominate wrestling tournament in Wrangell.

Thunder Mountain Middle School grappler Momar Diouf wrestles an opponent from Thorne Bay during the Stikine Wrestling Championships last weekend in Wrangell. (Photo courtesy TMMS)
A male northern flicker shows his red mustache mark, identifying him as the red-shafted type. (Photo by Detlef Buettner)

On the Trails: Northern flickers visit Juneau

There are over a dozen species of flicker, living in various parts of the Americas. The species we see here is call the northern flicker.… Continue reading

A male northern flicker shows his red mustache mark, identifying him as the red-shafted type. (Photo by Detlef Buettner)
Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Kerra and Cailynn Baxter work for a loose ball Saturday during the Lynx’ 53-43 win over the Crimson Bears in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls fall in fast-paced game to visiting Dimond squad

Crimson Bears’ old family basketball ties now extend to Lynx.

Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Kerra and Cailynn Baxter work for a loose ball Saturday during the Lynx’ 53-43 win over the Crimson Bears in the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Luke Bovitz (4) and Kenai’s Evyn Witt (31) and Cole Langham (28) go for a puck during the Crimson Bears’ 5-1 loss to the Kardinals on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS hockey sets record, but falls twice to visiting Kenai

Friday senior night one to remember, Saturday morning one to forget.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Luke Bovitz (4) and Kenai’s Evyn Witt (31) and Cole Langham (28) go for a puck during the Crimson Bears’ 5-1 loss to the Kardinals on Saturday at Treadwell Ice Arena. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka battle for a ball during Friday’s Crimson Bears 62-48 win over the Lynx inside the George Houston Gymnasium. The teams play Saturday at 7 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

JDHS girls steal Dimond’s shine

Crimson Bears defense leads to offense and stymies Lynx.

Dimond junior Katie MacDonald and Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé sophomore Layla Tokuoka battle for a ball during Friday’s Crimson Bears 62-48 win over the Lynx inside the George Houston Gymnasium. The teams play Saturday at 7 p.m. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The Dalton Highway winds through the Jim River and Prospect Creek valleys in northern Alaska, where an official thermometer registered Alaska’s all-time low of minus 80 degrees F on Jan. 23, 1971. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Dangerous cold across the land

In late January 2025, meteorologists from the National Weather Service Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, are predicting “dangerously cold temperatures and wind chill values… Continue reading

The Dalton Highway winds through the Jim River and Prospect Creek valleys in northern Alaska, where an official thermometer registered Alaska’s all-time low of minus 80 degrees F on Jan. 23, 1971. (Photo by Ned Rozell)