Alaska News

Our Alaska: Down the rabbit hole

There are lots of places in Alaska where indoor plumbing just isn't part of the landscape, and plenty of Alaskans for whom an outhouse is a part of the daily routine. Less routine: a snowshoe hare getting trapped inside the business end of that outhouse. But that was exactly the discovery that awaited Jubal Bergeron of McKinley Village, on the eastern boundary of Denali National Park, on Dec. 14. "Based on the absence of fresh tracks in the fresh snow, I'm guessing it was likely there at least two days before I noticed it," Bergeron said in an e-mail. "I fed it carrots and dropped water down as well, then sought advice from neighbors." Fortunately, when it came time to brave the 14-below temperature and rescue the stranded woodland creature, Bergeron had buddy Bill Rodwell on hand to document the experience -- and provide some color commentary. (Warning for the delicate viewer: While this video is mercifully free of any footage of the interior of Bergeron's privy hole, you will hear some salty language, as you sometimes do here in Our Alaska.)

Our Alaska: Snowshoe hare outhouse rescue"Sarah Palin's Alaska" started its eight-week run on TLC Sunday, Nov. 14. While the former governor gives viewers nationwide her own tour of the Last Frontier, Alaska Dispatch will take a look at the state as it's experienced by residents across the state -- urban and rural, young and old, from all walks of life. You've seen "Sarah Palin's Alaska" -- now welcome to Our Alaska.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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