Cache Corner

Living in Alaska comes with its challenges. For many Alaskans in remote areas, crossing icy rivers and lakes comes with the territory. Warming temperatures have caused the normal freeze and thaw times to vary greatly in Alaska. 

People fall through the ice every year in Alaska and it is fatal about 35% of the time. In this case, the Napakiak man, Charlie Lupie, was traveling via snowmobile over lake ice when he fell through. He managed to get himself to safety but died from exposure trying to make the rest of the journey on foot to the town of Bethel, Alaska. 

About 50% of falls through the ice in Alaska occur on snowmobiles. In general a good rule of thumb for ice safety is it must be 4" to walk on it, 5" to snowmobile on it, and 8-12" to drive a regular sized vehicle on it.

Andromeda polifolia

Northern Bog Rosemary is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 15" tall. The leaves alternate along the stem, curl under and appear to be powdery white underneath. It produces small bulb-like pink flowers. 

The flowers are so-named because they are typically found in peat bogs across the state of Alaska. They prefer cold climates and are often found growing in clumps together. 

The term "rosemary" in the name may suggest to some the edible nature of the plant but this is only because of the leaf-like resemblance to common rosemary. Northern Bog Rosemary contains a grayanotoxin. If ingested, this poisonous plant causes respiratory problems, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea.