My First Snow at the Summit of Pillar Mountain, Kodiak, Alaska; Where was yours?

     

     Trina, my daughter, who was based in Kodiak, Alaska, brought me to Pillar Mountain after seeing Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park. Pillar Mountain is one of 95 mountains with summits and peaks. The mountain stands at 1,204 feet or 366.98 meters above sea level, the largest in Kodiak. Pillar Mountain is an unforgettable adventure for me because of the spectacular view, the snow, the super freezing wind, and the wind mills on the summit. Above is one of the snow-capped peaks found on the way to Pillar Mountain.

     Born-and-raised in tropical Philippines, imagine my delight in seeing my first snow on Pillar Mountain (above). Trina had to take the picture for posterity.

     Seeing is believing. But touching snow makes it doubly believable (above). Remember I was there in summer, but I was surely glad that there was snow even then.

     Maybe, the temperature allowed for snow to melt, this is why water falls (above) are a common sight.

Trina (L) and me (R) with the windmills (background).

     Pillar Mountain plays a very important role in the energy requirement of Kodiak because of its wind farm. The Pillar Mountain Wind Farm has three GE 1.5-MW turbines that provide renewable energy to the town’s residents. Before this was developed, the island relied on expensive hydroelectric plants (80% supply) and seven diesel-powered generators (20% supply) to provide power to the town. Every year, it produces 12.2 million kWh for 12 cents/kWh (http://www.cityprofile.com/alaska/pillar-mountain.html).

     The summit of Pillar Mountain provides a breathtaking view of Kodiak Island (above: Trina (L) and me (R) with Kodiak Island in the background).  Notice the strong wind blowing our hair, which makes it ideal in operating the pioneering utility-scale wind energy project.

      It was so cold on top of Pillar Mountain on this summer day. Trina was just trying to look unaffected, but it’s really chilling for my ‘tropicalized’ body (above). It was about 5°-6 °C that time, where 24° C was the comfortable air-conditioned temperature of any ordinary room in the Philippines. I had to wear a bonnet to protect my already freezing head.

Photo image: Pillar Mountain, Kodiak, Alaska.

     Pillar Mountain summit is ideal for climbing. Today, many tourists prefer to hike to the misty summit and experience the mountain breeze. Another breathtaking view on top of Pillar Mountain (above) shows this spectacular natural scenery, i.e.,snow-capped  mountain and the clouds that are almost near one's reach. On the way below are more breathtaking views of the snowy mountain and the still unpaved twisting road.

Photo image: Windmills, Pillar Mountain, Kodiak, Alaska.

     Pillar Mountain is one of the treasures of Kodiak, Alaska. A visit to this summit is recommended for a spectacular view of Kodiak Island and the scenery surrounding it. Moreover, Pillar Mountain has the wind mills that are a must-see because this is a pioneering project in Kodiak. Lastly, this is an unforgettable spot for me because this is where I had my first encounter with snow. Nothing could be more amazing!!!

Photo: Windmills on top of Pillar Mountain (background) where we, Trina (L) and me (R), just came from.