Hey Folks Off-trail backpacking It doesn’t mean what you might think it means. What do we mean, here in Alaska, when we say “off-trail’? Well, what we mean is “no trail”. It’s not the same thing as backpacking through the mountains for a few days on a nice trail, hitting the open alpine terrain where […]
Alaska backpacking demands trekking poles. After years guiding trips across boulder fields, glacier moraines, and steep brushy terrain, I’ve learned that poles aren’t optional here. We traverse miles of talus, cross snowfields, and sidehill through terrain with little to no trail. That pole on your uphill side becomes critical for balance with a heavy pack. Poles also double as tent supports for cooking shelters and ultralight tents. I prefer cork handles and often use just one pole, though that’s personal preference. For Alaska’s challenging terrain, trekking poles make the difference between struggling and enjoying the trek.
Hey Folks, So one question I’m frequently asked about pertains to hiking poles, or trekking poles, and how important or useful they are for backpacking here in Alaska. In short, I’d suggest they’re more than useful, almost mandatory. Of course, few things in the mountains are ever so objective; the mountains are a subjective place, […]
After two decades guiding Alaska backpacking trips, I can’t recommend hiking poles enough. Research shows they significantly reduce muscle soreness and injury risk while improving stability on Alaska’s challenging off-trail terrain—from boulder fields to river crossings. Here’s why poles are essential gear for Alaska backcountry travel.
Exploring the quieter west side of Kennicott Glacier near McCarthy, Alaska reveals striking blue winter ice and the solitude that helps shape better photography. Glacier travel demands caution—careful foot placement, awareness of crevasses, and sometimes crampons depending on the season. The deep blue tones come from dense ice absorbing the red end of the light spectrum.
Hey Folks I’ll talk here briefly about one of the common (if not the most common) issues people seem to have backpacking in Alaska. It’s The Terrain, Folks Sure, trips can be strenuous and hard in terms of endurance and cardiovascular fitness, but a more common issue for people is hiking over uneven terrain. For […]
