Backpacking

Backpacking and Camping in the Chugach Mountains.
Camping in the Chugach. What a backpacking trip!

Explore the heart of Alaska on foot with our collection of backpacking stories, guides, and field notes. This tag gathers posts covering everything from multi-day wilderness expeditions to gear insights, packing tips, and real experiences from the trail. From the tundra routes of the Arctic to the rugged ridgelines of Wrangell–St. Elias and Denali National Parks. These articles offer a closer look at what backpacking in true wilderness is all about.

You’ll find practical advice learned the hard way, reflections from weeks spent in remote terrain, and trip reports that give an honest feel for life on the trail. Whether you’re planning your first Alaska backpacking trip or returning for your tenth, this page serves as a resource for inspiration, preparation, and a deeper understanding of expedition travel.

Arrigetch Peaks backpacking trip sunrise Arrigetch Peaks, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Backpacking the Arrigetch Peaks

Granite spires, tussock fields, grizzly bears, and a packraft finish down the Alatna River. What it’s actually like to backpack the Arrigetch Peaks in Gates of the Arctic National Park.

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Gates of the Arctic Camping Trips

Backpacking the Brooks Range; Arctic Camping Trips

Backpacking in the Brooks Range is not about following a line on a map. It is about learning to read the language of the landscape. No cairns, no signs, no footprints that last more than a season. You are operating in a world where the nearest road is hundreds of miles away and self-reliance is the only currency that matters.

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Polar bear in a snowstorm, Alaska.

Do You Need Rain Pants for Alaska Backpacking? (Yes, Here’s Why)

Alaska storms can last days. Guides explain why rain pants are essential for backpacking trips and which brands actually hold up in Alaska’s wet climate.

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Camped on Malaspina Glacier looking at Mt. St. Elias, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Glacier Hiking for Backpacking Trips in Alaska

We run backpacking trips. Lots of them. We spend a lot of time on ice. A LOT of time. Over the years, collectively, the guides at Expeditions Alaska have clocked hundreds of miles walking, camping, relaxing, and exploring, on ice. It’s such a big part of what we do, glacier travel is an integral part […]

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Backpacking in Gates of the Arctic National Park.

Weather in Alaska

One of the most common questions we get, every trip, every year, every month, is “What to pack?”

We provide all guests with a ton of info on packing. People often look for a shortcut and then want to “hope for the best”. “Will I be OK with … ” is usually really a question of “I don’t want to bring xyzzy”.

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Mt Jarvis, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Our Newest Backpacking Trip

Our newest backpacking trip in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the Wrangell Ramble. We’re all excited to get you on the trip. Totally a cool a walk.

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"Denali", officially again known as Mt. Denali, the highest peak in North America, stands above the Alaska Range, a small kettle pond returning a perfect reflection. Denali National Park, Alaska.

Denali, Mt. McKinley, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

After years of backpacking trips in Denali National Park, finally catching perfect light on the mountain. Stories of photographing Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), failed attempts, and that one glorious week when everything aligned.

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Alaska hiking tours Mt Jarvis at sunrise, from the Jarvis plateau, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska.

Mountains Piled Upon Mountains

Hey Folks We got a new one coming soon. Real soon. This one you’ll LOVE. Keep your eyes posted Alaska-ward and we’ll have details on the site before too long. Happiest Holidays and all the best to you and yours for the coming year. Cheers Everyone at EA The Mountains A jumble of mountains. A […]

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The eastern Chugach Mountains backpacking trip Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Sidehilling? What is it?

Sidehilling might sound simple, but in Alaska it’s one of the toughest parts of any backpacking trip. Hiking along steep, uneven slopes tests even the strongest hikers, wearing out knees, joints, and muscles. This post explains what sidehilling really feels like, why it’s a challenge, and how to approach it safely while exploring Alaska’s backcountry.

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The Heart of the Park, Wrangell St. Elias National Park backpacking trip.

Best Backpacking Trips In Alaska

Where in Alaska do YOU want to backpack? For me, it’s everywhere at once. If the weather is good.But my absolute Number one, FAVORITE place? .. read on ..

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