Backpacking Gear

Backpacking gear for hiking in Alaska. All you need to know about Alaska backpacking get and equipment. We’ll also discuss photography gear for photo treks and backcountry photography excursions in Alaska.

Sea kayaking gear and showshoeing, skiing are also on the menu. All things gear related. We have sections on sleeping bags, tents, hiking boots and hiking poles and, of course, backpacks. And if we don’t discuss the backcountry gear you’re looking for or you have any equipment related questions, fire away. Maybe we’ll make another blog post on that subject.

Alaska photography and backcountry information.

Backcountry Photography

Photography gear for the backcountry; a shower cap doubles as a rain cover for the camera on a backpacking trip in Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Skolai Pass, the Russell Glacier, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

backpacking campsite on Sanford Plateau in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Choosing Your Backcountry Campsite

Backpacking campsites in Alaska. How to choose a low impact campsite in off-trail backpacking and hiking trips and trekking trips in Alaska. Leave No Trace camping in Alaska. Campfires and great views at campsites.

A backpacker wearing a hooded down jacket hiking across Malaspina Glacier, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

I’m Done With Fleece – Insulation

Hey folks, I thought I’d write a quick post about insulation for hiking. This year, I made the switch from a pile fleece jacket to a synthetic fill jacket. The jacket that I virtually lived in all backpacking season long, (on plenty of day hikes as well, including this walk up to Powerline Pass near […]

Hiking and camping trip Skolai Pass Russell Glacier Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Spring Gear Sales

Hey Folks, Summer’s rolling around the corner, and now’s a good time to grab some gear if you need it. A few sales are on that might save a little cash. Mammoth Gear are selling some a bunch of items cheap – I just bought a winter bag for super cheap! Backcountry are also having […]

Alaska brown bear charging, Katmai National Park, Alaska.

Bear Spray Effectiveness – how effective is bear spray?

Hey Folks, A lot of people ask about bears and bear spray and guns and what we do for safety. We don’t carry guns on our bear trips, and nor would I be comfortable with someone on the trip carrying a firearms, unless there were some very extenuating circumstances. I do carry bear spray, and […]

Alaska snowshoe trip Wrangell-St. Elias National Park winter snowshoeing forest.

Winter Outdoor Gear?

hey Folks, Well, as winter just wound to a close, I thought I’d post a short note about winter outdoor gear. All in all, what’s the best outdoor hiking and backpacking gear I bought this winter? What piece of gear really rocked my world? A $40.00 pair of Sierra Designs Down Booties! These things rock! […]

Backpacker wearing Arcteryx Rain Jacket in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska.

Rain Gear, and keeping dry

Hey Folks Another question I get asked a lot has to do with rain gear. What’s appropriate, what’s necessary, what’s not OK, what works, what doesn’t, etc. I think rain gear is another of those things where many people can make do with less. I wouldn’t, of course, advise anyone to venture out under-prepared. But, […]

Backpacking Malaspina Glacier Wrangell -St.Elias National Park, Alaska

Kennicott Glacier, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Hey Folks, Here’s a photo I took of the Kennicott Glacier, not far from the small town of McCarthy, in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska. I was exploring the west side of the glacier, which is much less frequently hiked and travelled than the east side. But, with a little luck and some perseverance, […]

Winter photography, cold weather, asking Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Down Versus Synthetic Bags – what to choose?

Hey Folks I get asked all the time which kind insulation fill is best for a sleeping bag for someone planing an Alaska backpacking trip. Like almost all these kinds of questions (such as what size backpack you need), the answer is pretty subjective, and I really don’t think it matters too much. What matters […]

Summer sleeping bag and pad backpacking trip Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Sleeping bags and Sleeping Pads

Hey Folks, I think a 20deg bag is essential for a summer trip in Alaska. 32deg bags, and warmer, often aren’t warm enough for alpine trips here. In fact, a 15 deg bag is even a good idea. it varies a lot with the individual, and also with the temperatures for any given trip, obviously. […]

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