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August 20, 2025 7 mins

In this episode of "Raven About Sitka," host Kathrynn takes listeners on a lively, figurative hike through the mountains surrounding Sitka, Alaska. She explores the history, legends, and cultural significance of peaks like Mount Edgecumbe, Verstovia, Arrowhead, Bear Mountain, Harbor Mountain, and Cross Mountain. Kathrynn shares Tlingit traditions, local pranks, military history, and humorous anecdotes, all while celebrating the mountains’ roles in Sitka’s identity and daily life. The episode blends storytelling and humor, encouraging listeners to appreciate the beauty, stories, and spirit of Sitka’s iconic landscape.

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(00:16):
Welcome back to Raven about Sitka.I'm your host, Kathrynn.
And today we're climbing mountains.Figuratively, of course.
If I was podcasting on top ofArrowhead, you'd just hear wheezing,
mosquito slaps, and the occasional,"why did I think this was a good idea?"
Sitka is framed by some of themost stunning peaks in Alaska.

(00:38):
They're not just pretty,they're full of history, legends,
and a few jokes along the way.Let's lace up our metaphorical
hiking boots and get to know them.We start with gratitude.
Sitka sits on Lingít Aaní-Tlingit land.
For thousands of years,the Tlingit people have honored

(00:59):
these mountains as living beings,protectors, storytellers,
and symbols of endurance.Today, we carry those stories
forward with respect.Let's introduce Sitka's most
famous peaks. The crown jewel.Sitting across Sitka Sound on
cruise off island.Mount Edgcumbe is our 3200 foot.

(01:23):
Dormant volcano.Dormant but not extinct.
Scientists say it last eruptedaround 4500 years ago, long before
Sitka's first espresso stand opened.Edgecumbe has a perfectly conical
shape, which is why people sometimescall it Sitka's Mount Fuji.
Seriously! Japan &Alaska; we're totally twinning.

(01:46):
The mountain has culturalsignificance to the Tlingit,
who saw it as part of theirspiritual landscape.
Its Tlingit name means blinking,thought to describe the way the
mountain sometimes appears anddisappears in the mist.
And of course,1970 four's legendary prank.
Local jokester Porky Bickar airlifted70 tires into the crater and lit

(02:11):
them, convincing half the townSitka's sleepy volcano had woken up.
Even the Coast Guard got involved.Porky's response.
"The volcano was due for aneruption anyway."
Next, let's move to Mount Verstovia.Towering directly behind Sitka,
Verstovia rises to 3354ft.It's a steep, relentless climb,

(02:35):
but the payoff is panoramic viewsthat can make even lifelong locals
stop and say, wow, I live here.The Russians named it Versovaya
after the word verst,an old Russian unit of measurement
about two thirds of a mile. Why?Possibly because the mountain
looked like a verst marker.Locals often mean arrowhead when

(03:00):
they say Verstovia.Arrowhead is the 2550 foot
shoulder peak you hit afterabout two miles of climbing.
It's named for, you guessed it,the sharp arrowhead shape you
see from town.The trail is a mix of rainforest,
switchbacks, wooden steps andthe occasional bear sighting.

(03:21):
Hikers call it Sitka's bestStairMaster.
Just east of Verstovia,you'll spot a peak topped with a
glowing white cross.It was first erected in 1927 by the
Catholic Church, rebuilt in the1980s and remains lit at night.
Whether you see it as a beacon ofhope or Sitka's original neon sign,

(03:42):
it's impossible to miss.Its Tlingit name means behind or
in the back, likely referring toits position in relation to town.
People do hike it,but the trail is less popular.
Maybe because you can't miss itfrom downtown.
Why climb it when you can admire itwhile waiting in line for coffee?

(04:02):
Part of the Indian River Valleylandscape, Bear Mountain is less
famous to tourists,but beloved by locals.
True to its name,bears do wander the area.
Some Sitkans like to test theirluck hiking it in late summer
when the salmon runs draw everybruin in town.
Personally,I'd recommend singing loudly and

(04:24):
carrying more than good vibes.Bear mountain gives you gorgeous
views over Sitka Sound,but it's rugged, no groomed
trail like Verstovia. ThinkChoose your own adventure,
but with claws in the mix.A fan favorite Harbor Mountain,
it's more forgiving with an oldWorld War II era road leading to

(04:46):
a ridge hike instead of a legburning vertical slog.
In the 1940s,the military built lookout posts
here to watch for enemy aircraft.Imagine being stationed up there.
Your job was literally to stareat Sitka's most breathtaking
views all day. Rough life.Today, Harbor Mountain is a picnic,

(05:07):
berry picking and hiking hot spot.It's also one of the few places you
can drive up high, which means it'spopular for people who want mountain
views without risking cardiac arrest.Another gem right near town,
connected to Harbor Mountain bya ridge trail, the Gavin Harbor
Traverse is a classic Sitka hike.Blueberries in late summer

(05:28):
alpine meadows and endless photoopportunities.
Just make sure you arrange a ride atthe other end, or you'll discover the
joy of hitch hiking and hiking boots.These mountains aren't just pretty.
They've been useful for the Tlingit.They were markers, hunting grounds,
and places of spiritual power.The Russians used Castle Hill and the

(05:53):
backdrop of Verstovia as strategicdefenses during World War Two.
Harbor mountain had bunkers, radarstations, and soldiers on watch.
Most of them never saw action.Unless you count berry picking
as tactical maneuvers.And of course, Sitka's mountains
are perfect fodder for humor.Hiking Verstovia is like entering

(06:14):
a relationship.Starts easy, gets really tough,
and then rewards you withbreathtaking moments and mosquitoes.
Edgecumbe is the only volcano inAlaska with a sense of humor and
a documented April Fool's resume.Harbor mountain proves that sometimes
the best hikes are the ones whereyour car does half the work.

(06:36):
All these peaks aren't justlandscape, they're identity.
Artists paint Vestavia in everyshade of purple. Sunset.
Photographers line up for that onemagical morning when edgecumbe peaks
through the mist and locals measuretheir stamina against the mountains
every summer when the clouds drop andhide them, it feels like Sitka's

(06:58):
curtains have been pulled closed.But when the sky is clear and you see
these peaks, it's like being remindedof how lucky we are to live here.
So next time you look up at theSitka skyline, remember these
mountains aren't just scenery.They've got names, stories,
history, and even a sense of humor.From the perfect cone of Edgecumbe to

(07:21):
the calf burning climb of Verstovia,from the glow of Cross Mountain
to the easy access of harbor,Sitka's mountains are our
constant companions.This has been raven about Sitka.
I'm your host, Kathrynn, remindingyou keep your eyes on the peaks,
your humor in your pack,and your snacks plentiful

(07:41):
because no one wants to gethungry on the top of a volcano.
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