Expeditions Alaska Ventures Afield. Come Explore Patagonia With Us.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, two hiking boots is at the easier end of the spectrum.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
Realize that backpacking is never “easy”. You’re carrying from 35-50+ pounds on your back day after day. You’ll be hiking for a number of hours each day (varies trip to trip, day to day), and that’s not “easy” for most people.

That said, our “2 hiking boots” level should meet the need for most novice backpackers, and are generally what I recommend for families with younger kids, etc as well. Terrain challenges aren’t usually a problem, and the walking is somewhat more orthodox. You won’t be traversing 1 mile of steep sidehill covered in slippery rocks, or snaking through dense thickets of alder and willow.
Whales piled upon whales. Southeast Alaska is home to this extraordinary event. Come catch it on film.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, one boot is appealing. Basically it means “You got this”.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
One boot is about as easy as we do here in Alaska. That doesn’t mean it’s easy; you’re carrying gear, and even on a basecamp trip you’ll find expending some effort required of you. And there is always the weather or some other adversarial element to contend with.
What you won’t find on a single-boot-rated trip is the difficult terrain challenges we see on our other ventures. No glacial moraines to deal with, or alder and muskeg, or sidehills to wreak havoc on your ankles hours on end.

Great option for starters, the older or the younger folks who want to see some astonishing remote wild country, without all the rigors or the more common backpacking adventures we undertake. You’ll love it.
Brown bears chasing salmon. The only thing missing from this trip is your camera.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.

Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.
Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.
Just getting here is an adventure. The photography? Out of this world!
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, two hiking boots is at the easier end of the spectrum.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
Realize that backpacking is never “easy”. You’re carrying from 35-50+ pounds on your back day after day. You’ll be hiking for a number of hours each day (varies trip to trip, day to day), and that’s not “easy” for most people.

That said, our “2 hiking boots” level should meet the need for most novice backpackers, and are generally what I recommend for families with younger kids, etc as well. Terrain challenges aren’t usually a problem, and the walking is somewhat more orthodox. You won’t be traversing 1 mile of steep sidehill covered in slippery rocks, or snaking through dense thickets of alder and willow.
The Grizzly Bears of Brooks Falls. Alaska. You. And Your Camera.
All The Details Here
Get Eye to Eye with a polar bear. Get Eye to Eye with two polar bears.
Take a tour
Alaska’s Lady of the Night. She Dances With Darkness.
Shoot the lights
An American icon. Thousands of them. Bring Your Camera. Or Two.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, one boot is appealing. Basically it means “You got this”.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
One boot is about as easy as we do here in Alaska. That doesn’t mean it’s easy; you’re carrying gear, and even on a basecamp trip you’ll find expending some effort required of you. And there is always the weather or some other adversarial element to contend with.
What you won’t find on a single-boot-rated trip is the difficult terrain challenges we see on our other ventures. No glacial moraines to deal with, or alder and muskeg, or sidehills to wreak havoc on your ankles hours on end.

Great option for starters, the older or the younger folks who want to see some astonishing remote wild country, without all the rigors or the more common backpacking adventures we undertake. You’ll love it.
Photograph Wrangell-St. Elias National Park’s Skolai Pass.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.

Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.
Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.
Bears, bears and more bears. And seals, sea otters and bald eagles. Alaska as it gets.
On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, one boot is appealing. Basically it means “You got this”.
1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
2 boots = easier backpacking trip
3 boots = intermediate level trip
4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?
11 boots = One louder. For when 5 boots just isn’t enough.
Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.
One boot is about as easy as we do here in Alaska. That doesn’t mean it’s easy; you’re carrying gear, and even on a basecamp trip you’ll find expending some effort required of you. And there is always the weather or some other adversarial element to contend with.
What you won’t find on a single-boot-rated trip is the difficult terrain challenges we see on our other ventures. No glacial moraines to deal with, or alder and muskeg, or sidehills to wreak havoc on your ankles hours on end.

Great option for starters, the older or the younger folks who want to see some astonishing remote wild country, without all the rigors or the more common backpacking adventures we undertake. You’ll love it.
