Arctic Wild: Backpacking in Alaska

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Alaska backpacking trips are an opportunity to travel lightly through this enchanting land. These trips are a slowing down, a chance to appreciate the landscape step by step, and a chance to experience the arctic under your own steam. Alaska backpacking is an adventure.

 

Backpacking in Alaska is a different experience. In June in the Brooks Range, daylight is our constant and much welcome companion. The complete lack of darkness frees us from any type of clock-oriented schedule. and so we eat when hungry, walk when inspired, and sleep when the  sun circles lazily along the northern horizon.

 

Some hikes are more difficult than others. Please call us if you have questions about a specific itinerary. Most of our trips are moderately difficult. We will typically travel around 35 miles over eight days.

 

Alaska backpacking is always an adventure. We frequently use streams as our highways (as the animals do), crossing back and forth, utilizing the best hiking terrain. Expect to have wet boots much of the time while backpacking in Alaska. The hiking is not all toil and slog. There are vast gravel bars where we can take long strides, and take in the magnificent views of the mountains. There are dry ridges where we will feel as if we are walking amongst the clouds.

Backpacking in Alaska, and especially in the arctic, is an off-trail experience, so a six-mile day can take as long and be as taxing as ten miles in other parts of the world. While Alaska backpacking is appropriate for both experienced backpackers and newcomers in good shape, it is a very good idea to have some experience with overnight backpacking prior to the trip. Each hiker will get 15-20 pounds of food and community gear to carry; due to the small party size and the trips duration, expect to start the trip with a pack weighing 50 pounds.

 

Conditioning is highly recommended for everyone, even those of you in excellent shape. We recommend walking as often as possible with 25-30 #. in your backpack. Use the boots you will be hiking in. A couple weeks before your trip, add weight until your pack weighs 40-45 pounds. You can alternate this with the stairmaster or bike riding. The better condition you are in, the more you will enjoy backpacking in Alaska.

 

June 5 to June 12

2008 Backpack Trips:
Kokolik Backpack	Western Arctic
Kokolik Backpack/Canoe Combo	June 5 to June 12	Western Arctic
Kickback Backpack	June 5 to June 10	ANWR
Kickback Backpack/Hulahula Combo	June 5 to June 20	ANWR
Kobuk Dunes Basecamp/Backpack	August 2 to August 7	Western Arctic
Arrigetch Peaks Backpack	August 2 to August 9	Gates of the Arctic
Arrigetch Peaks Backpack/Alatna River Combo	August 2 to August 16	Gates of the Arctic
Noatak Backpack	August 9 to August 16	Gates of the Arctic
Noatak Backpack/River Combo	August 9 to August 25	Gates of the Arctic