An Alpine Start A midsummer day led to the start of an abrupt and unexpected adventure, hiking to the peak of Gunsight Mountain. The curator of this event, the locally seasoned owner/operator/mentor of this outdoor company, Don Wray, reached out to me. He handed two other Assistant Guides and me a sheet of paper. Further, the paper informed us this new assignment was to take place the next day. [...]
Alaska by Coupon Choices When planning a trip to Alaska, you likely want to fit in as many experiences as possible. One of the best ways to experience Alaska is through tours. These experts are trained to deliver the best possible trip. However, some tours are not cheap, and it can be hard to do everything you want while staying within your Alaska vacation budget. This is where coupon [...]
What to Pack When Visiting Alaska While it is likely one of the most beautiful places on earth, Alaska is also one of the wildest. You need to be able to plan for the unpredictable. This may make packing a little more complicated than you’re used to. This guide will help you figure out just what you need to pack for your trip to Alaska. [...]
Removal of the ‘Into the Wild’ Bus 142 Moving Living History Midway through June 2021, the Alaska Army National Guard airlifted Bus 142 from the Alaskan wilderness to an undisclosed location. The 'Into the Wild' bus, made famous by the book and movie “Into the Wild”. The bus memorializes the life of Christopher McCandless. This historic item was originally placed in the forest to house [...]
Coastal Life With the changing of seasons, the Alaskan coast moves from icy stillness to layers of vibrant life. Where fall once signaled the beginning of southern migrations, the spring welcomes in new life and returning residents as the ice melts. The days lengthen, and animals start to rouse just as others are making their annual trip back. Many coastal species follow the warming waters into northern regions in [...]
An Exploration of McCarthy Entering the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, from either side, shows you the grace of being something so small in this immense and intricate world. Giant snow-covered peaks sit atop rolling coniferous forests here. The boundless skies that back the landscape showcase the iridescent colors of the rising and setting sun. This gradient of mysticism only highlights the features of this expansive terrain. [...]
Hiking the Gold Mint Trail Hatcher’s Pass offers many hiking opportunities. Its varied terrain and access to the backcountry of the Talkeetna Mountains will have you yearning for more with each visit. Some days offer an abundance of time and resources, while others leave you with only an afternoon to spare. On a summer day in the Mat-Su Valley, we chose to keep the logistics simple and set out [...]
Matanuska-Susitna Valley Geology The Matanuska-Susitna Valley has been perfectly carved over thousands of years to frame glaciers, mountains, and rivers, and to serve as an entrance to exploration. This valley is located in the southeastern region of Alaska, dipping into the Interior. You’ll pass giant peaks etched away and dropping into cliffs that meet the river basin. Accessing the geological wonders this valley has to offer is as easy [...]
Alaska Bears Alaska is home to many plants and animals. With ample food and habitat resources, there is typically more than one species of animal. Like the bear. There are about four distinct species of bear in Alaska: brown bears, grizzly bears, black bears, and polar bears. Each bear has behaviors and characteristics that result from adapting within its environment. Learning about bears is your best way to be [...]
The Alaskan Moose The Alaska moose is abundant across the Last Frontier. From the Southeastern regions to the northern territories, about 175,000 to 200,000 moose are scattered across the state. If you are exploring the state, chances are you will have a moose sighting. These mammals typically travel alone or with their young, rarely in herds. Understanding their territory and behaviors is important for respecting and supporting their environments. [...]
