You've made the first big step and booked a trek (perhaps a glacier tour with our friends on the Matanuska Glacier)! Now you have loads of questions about what you have gotten yourself into! One of the biggest hurdles for people getting into the outdoors is that they don't know what to expect. Everything always seems to be high stakes once you involve the outdoors. [...]
An Alaska Family Vacation When you think of a family vacation what comes to mind? Maybe it's your bucket list and dreams you talk about around the dinner table. Or, it might be the stereotypes of miserable family vacations with too much time together and not a whole lot of stimulation. Either way you roll, you deserve a getaway filled with connection and [...]
Solo Journey Across Alaska Traveling to a new place can be both daunting and exciting. Especially when it comes to the expansive lands of Alaska. With so much to do and places to see, this guide to solo traveling in Alaska aims to offer you more tips and tricks to a successful journey. Independently traveling through Alaska could be just the experience you [...]
Alaska Packing Guide Proper Packing Not all Alaska backpacking trips are the same, nor are all packs created the same. We may be packing for different lengths of trips in different weather conditions. Simultaneously, we may need a varying degree of gear to safely and comfortably complete our trip. However, there are a number of steps anyone can take to pack their gear in [...]
A Matanuska Getaway Over the years many trips have been explored and different itineraries filled. Yet, no matter the place or time, it always seems hard to be able to get to every single detail that comes with planning a vacation. And if you're not careful, your vacation may turn into more work than the relaxation and adventure you were hoping for. With this [...]
The Beauty of the Wrangell-St. Elias Range Destination: The Great Outdoors Sitting on my 70 pound pack, roped to my teammates with snowshoes inhibiting me from removing my harness (forcing me to hold my pee all day), I just wanted a snack. Every time I attempted to bring my granola to my mouth, the whipping winds of the Nabesna Glacier swept it from my [...]
Sleeping on a Glacier An Ice Climbers Dream Sleeping on a glacier is a fabled experience for many. I have been lucky enough to go on two overnight glacier trips in less than a week. When thinking about spending the night on the glacier, one's mind would immediately think about how cold and wet the experience might be. Working with a long time local [...]
Backpacking in the Rain Some of my very best and very worst backpacking memories have been in rainy weather. The difference between them: preparation. If you’re backpacking in Alaska it's wise to assume you will encounter rain regardless of forecasts. Be Prepared In preparation for your trip it’s important to pack wisely, and learn about responding to rain in the backcountry. These two elements [...]
Experiencing a Glacier by Helicopter Drop-Off It is a blue bird day, in other words, there is not a cloud in sight. One of the benefits of being on the interior of Alaska is a warmer and dryer landscape. This creates perfect windows of opportunity to have crystal clear views of the intricate layers that make up the Mat-Su Valley. Not only that, but [...]
Camping in Alaska The camping options you have at your finger tips span far and wide in Alaska. Maybe you want to go full force into the raw elements and cowboy camp under the stars and out in the open. On the other hand, you might need a break to relax into the creature comforts and recharge on your trip with showers and warm [...]
