CRITICAL PATH

WILDLIFE
     Bears
     Moose
     Mosquitoes &
     Insects
     Devils Club &
      Irritating Plants

WEATHER
     Hypothermia
     Winter
     Avalanche
     
TERRAIN
     Navigation
     Bushwhacking
     Post holing
     The Alaska Mile
     Fording Rivers
     Scree
     Glaciers
     Mudflats

GEAR
     The Essentials
     Water Filter
     My Lists
     FAA Radio
     Gaiters

MEANDERINGS

SUPPLIES
     Maps
     Guide Books
     Other Books
     Buying &
       Renting Gear
     

LEGALITIES, ETC.
     Fishing
     Fires
     Parking Fees
     Camping
     
TIPS
     Sunlight
     Photography
     Useful Web links

PLEASE READ THIS!

CRITICAL PATH contains topics of information that are important to know if one is to have a safe and enjoyable hiking trip in Alaska. Be aware that this page is only a jumping off point. Do not assume that this list is inclusive or that the information contained within it is all that you need to know (please read the disclaimer below).  If you do not have confidence in any of the below topics, it is up to you to increase your knowledge.  I have tried to help in this endeavor by giving you some websites to start you off.  Most of the Alaska hike guides cover many of these topics as well.  Some skills require as little as an awareness of the fact, others some reading, while others may require a class or teacher. 

Someone in your group should be able to calmly administer first aid if the situation warrants it.  I have not included it below, as the topic is too vast and beyond what a web page can provide.  You may want to purchase any of the fine books out there on wilderness first aid to test your skill level and determine which areas you or your party are weak in.  

If you have never had a real wilderness experience before, Alaska is not the place to get your feet wet. Restrict your hikes to those near help and require less wilderness skills than what the remote backcountry would entail.  Most people who hike and backpack regularly should do fine on most of the trails described in this site.  Your knowledge of the topics below should help you decide what level is best for you.  For the real remote areas of the backcountry, you may want to consider a guide if you do not have confidence in your skill.  For the remote areas at least, I would  not advise going alone. 

MAKE SURE TO TELL SOMEONE YOUR PLANS AND WHEN YOU EXPECT TO GET BACK, EVEN IF YOU'RE DAY HIKING!   

MEANDERINGS contains general information concerning your trip up here. Since there are many wonderful and useful sites already, I only included what mainly relates to hiking and backpacking in Alaska.

PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THIS PAGE

LEAVE NO TRACE!

CRITICAL PATH

WILDLIFE
I'm sure this is a big part of why you're up here.  Even on the trails in Anchorage proper, you have a good chance of encountering the non-human residents of Alaska.  For the most part, they are shy and would rather stay away from you than do harm.  But you are on their turf and you must respect where they are out.  You are honor bound up here not to bother the animals. It is extremely important that you keep your distance especially when they are with their young.  It is even more important that you do not feed the wildlife, even accidentally (like leaving food out around your camp).  If you do, you can create multiple problems for the people who live here.  More than likely, once the animal has had a taste for human food, it will become a nuisance and then there is a good chance it will be killed.  

Be aware that wildlife in Alaska is heavily regulated by State and Federal laws.  Unless you are hunting, and you know the laws up here, harming wildlife can get you in serious trouble. I'm sure you are aware that harming an eagle is a felony.  However, did you also know that  harming a raven up here can get you a serious fine as they are an integral part of Native Spirituality?

Do not take cast off antlers and horns out of the parks.  The smaller creatures depend on their calcium as they breakdown and decay.  In fact, please do not remove any objects from the land.

For more information please link to the below article:

LIVING HAZARD-RESPECT WILDLIFE

Your encounters with wildlife, more than likely, will be positive and memorable.  Your chances of this happening will be greatly enhanced by being grounded in the above procedures. Extra attention is called for in dealing with the two animals below:


BEARS
First off, relax: very few people have been killed or maimed by bears in Alaska. While there is a lot of conflicting advice on what to do if a black or brown (grizzly) bear attacks you, the voices are unanimous in stating that the best thing to do is avoid a bear encounter in the first place.  Tracks in the mud and fresh scat are two obvious clues that bears are in the area.

Probably the worse thing you can do is take a bear by surprise. Luckily, most of the hiking in Alaska gives you a clear view of the terrain so you can spot a bear before you are close. If you can not see a ways in front of you, usually when bushwhacking, make sure you are making noise. Start a conversation with your hiking buds, sing, clap your hands; anything to let the potential bear know you are coming. Bear bells have been getting a lot of bad press lately and research is showing that they are ineffective.

Never run away from a bear!  They will think you are prey and come after you.  You cannot outrun a bear.  Keeping your front to the animal, back away very slowly.  Please see the links below on the rare chance a bear charges you.

There are two very dangerous circumstances that you must pay heed to. One, if you see a mother with cubs, slowly and calmly get as far away as you can.  Two, if you see a bear with it's cache or its freshly killed prey, again, slowly and calmly get as far away as you can.  A corollary to the latter; if you happen along the trail and see a half consumed carcass such as a moose or caribou, leave the scene immediately.  In either of the three above cases, either turn back or hike a wide circle around the situation.

A bear has an incredible sense of smell. It is important that you keep ALL food and food smells away from your camp. You should also avoid packing pungent food such as canned salmon or tuna fish. Cook at least 200 feet away from your tent, preferably downwind. Use a bear proof canister or tie your food bag with all garbage, dinnerware, mugs, and toothpaste on a branch at least 10 feet from the ground (and of course, a ways from your tent). Wash your face and hands, and brush your teeth, before you go to sleep. If you have got any food on your clothes, change out of them and tie them up with the food.

A bear is most agitated in the spring when it has awoken from its hibernation and is extremely hungry.  

The following links are what I feel are the best presented and complete advice on what to do if a bear attacks or threatens to attack you. I urge you to look at both of them. Some of the advice will conflict and it is up to you to take the information and do with it what you will.

ALASKA'S BEARS

AVOIDING BEAR MAULINGS, GRIZZLY ATTACK DEFENSE

I personally carry pepper spray and make sure I am always aware of my surroundings. I do not carry a gun, but for some people this is an option. If you come from a big city, while the techniques are different, the attitude is the same: being aware, not taking chances, and remaining cool prevents muggings as well as bear attacks!


MOOSE
If you were unlucky enough to only see one type of animal up here, it would probably be a moose.  These large animals can be seen everywhere from the streets of Anchorage to the remote backcountry. For the most part, moose are docile and tend to ignore people. They will usually move away from you. But a moose can get aggressive if it feels threatened, especially if it's a cow with her calf or calves. Bull moose can be agitated in the early fall during the mating season due to rutting (the smashing of antlers with other bulls in competition for mates).   Be on the safe side and always give them plenty of room. 

If a moose's back hair is standing up, it usually means it's agitated.  If it pulls its ears back, there is a good chance it is getting ready to attack.

When driving on our highways, always be on the lookout for moose in the road.  Due to their height, a vehicle has the tendency to knock their feet out from underneath them which can cause them to fly through your windshield. 

Please follow the below link for more info:

WHAT TO DO ABOUT AGGRESSIVE MOOSE

MOSQUITOES & INSECTS
I'm sure you've heard many the tall tale of Alaska's unofficial state bird; the mosquito.  Other insects, such as no-seeums and black flies, can be quite irritating as well.  The peak season is usually June and July.  The problem is not so bad in most parts of the Kenai Peninsula and the City of Anchorage.  You will also have little problem above treeline and in windy places.  The Interior regions of Alaska seem to get the brunt of it. Avoid marshy areas during the peak season.  

While these bugs are not dangerous in themselves, barring allergies, the mere annoyance to some people could cause them to lose concentration and make unwise decisions out on the trail. The two solutions are clothes and repellant.  Try to expose as little skin as possible.  Fortunately, with the cooler temps up here, this is not too much of a problem.  For exposed areas of skin, anything containing DEET should help.  I use a time released cream made by Sawyer that doesn't feel too "pesticidey".  I only put it on when the bugs are just too annoying to enjoy my trip.  When I do, I use it sparingly and infrequently.  You may also want to consider a head net but I haven't felt the need yet since I've been up here.

A great article in Backpacker Magazine covers the subject and all its aspects.  Use their search features for more articles.

ITCH FREE SUMMER

You may also want to explore their articles on alternatives to DEET if you are worried about the potential health hazards associated with its use.

DEVILS CLUB
If you're lucky to be up here in the summer, especially late August, you will be rewarded with an incredible canvas of wildflowers throughout the many different ecosystems. Even in the rocky areas above treeline, you will see an incredible spectrum of plant life.

Unfortunately, there are a few bad guys out there that you need to be aware of on the trail.  The most common one is Devils Club.  It's easy to spot as it looks like a shrub with oversized maple leaves.  The problem with this shrub is the underside of the leaf which contains tiny prickles. These prickles can cause severe inflammation when contact with the skin occurs.  


Photo Courtesy of Matt Goff (Click to enlarge)


OTHER IRRITATING PLANTS
Another common one to watch out for is cow parsnip.  Touching this plant can cause severe blistering in the presence of sunlight.  When burned in a fire, it produces a poisonous smoke.  The plant looks like a woody stalk with an cone on top.  For more info, please link to the below article:

COW PARSNIP, THE CURSE OF THE TRAIL

WEATHER
Welcome to one of the most erratic weather patterns on the planet.  There is an old saying up here: "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes".  I've seen it rainy and miserable in the morning and beautifully sunny by noon.  I've frozen in July and sweated in January.  It can be 65 and sunny up at the summit of a mountain and rainy and miserable in the valley. In Anchorage, 10 blocks can mean the difference between 10 degrees.  Even if  you are out for a short jaunt, you need to prepare for anything.  

One thing you should always be prepared for is rain.  We get a lot of it up here.  I can say that it usually rains in July and August but 2004 it barely rained in July, 2002 it never stopped.  So to be safe, when the temps are over 32 degrees, carry a rain jacket (preferably with a hood) or an umbrella.

In June, July and August you can generally expect the day to be somewhere between 60-72 degrees and 55-65 at night. If you live in the Northeast, prepare as if it’s late September.  If you are traveling in early or late season, be aware that once the sun goes down, the temperature drops dramatically.  Spring and fall can run anywhere from 20 to 70 degrees. Winter has its periods of severe cold but the thermometer usually hovers around 20-25 degrees.

The trick to dressing up here is layers. Always have the ability to add and shed long sleeve shirts, fleece jackets, shells and rain gear.  Having some kind of hat is a great accessory as a large percentage of heat is lost through the head.  When backpacking in the summer, I keep a pair of light fleece gloves tucked away just to be careful.

CITYRATING.COM has monthly stats for a variety of factors.  

HYPOTHERMIA
If you learn only one thing from this site, I hope it is how to prevent hypothermia and treat it if it occurs.  While everyone worries about bears, they really should be worried about this.  This is how the scenario usually goes up here and if you're a person who sweats easily, like me, the scenario happens quite often:  

Imagine you are up here on a backpack trip.  You're slowly ascending a mountain with a 40 lb. pack strapped to your back.  It's a beautiful day, somewhere around 65, and you're are starting to build up a sweat.  You slowly keep going up, the summit getting closer and closer as you get wetter and wetter. When you reach the top, you slide off your pack in relief as a stiff wind picks up (which usually happens at the tops of mountains). And when that wind hits your wet clothes, watch how quickly you go from hot to freezing cold.  There are many variations on this theme including getting soaked in the rain as well as dressing improperly in winter.  Trust me when I say that once you go into shivering mode, it takes a very long time to warm up.

Do not wear cotton on the trail! Clothes made of cotton will not keep you warm when they become wet.  Use synthetic layers including fleece.

Take the time to put on and shed layers as the situation warrants.  The less you sweat due to clothing, the better.  When you're moving, strip down. As long as your active, it's amazing how your body can stay warm with very little clothing.  I have learned to keep my hat and fleece pullover handy so that when I get to the top of that mountain or when I stop, I immediately put them on before my body temperature drops.  You can get amazing results just from a hat since most of your body heat leaves through your head (very similar to a chimney). Since everybody is different, work on a little trial and error with layers before you come up.

I urge you to fully read the article contained in the below link:

WINTER
Winter around the Anchorage area is not as bad as you would think. If you find yourself up here during this time or if you are very early in the hiking season, there are still great opportunities to explore the backcountry.  Be aware that while the winters are not too bad, they are long. You can expect snow on the ground right into May and even later as you increase in elevation.

Besides the obvious winter supplies (clothing, hat, gloves, etc),  I also carry a hot thermos, hand and feet warmers (usually $2 a pack),  fire starter, and a emergency space blanket.  This way if I'm stuck out there, I have what I need to stay warm until help arrives.

Even if you are just out for the day, pack a small flashlight.  In December and January, it starts getting dark at 3 pm and if you lose track of time, you may need the extra help.

No matter how long you are out there, you should be knowledgeable enough about hypothermia (see above) and know how to build a snow shelter in case you are stuck.  The below link contains excellent diagrams.

OUTDOOR ACTION GUIDE TO SNOW SHELTERS (this also is a great link overall for winter camping)

Winter hiking is a subject in itself, especially if you plan on being out there overnight.  Below are two great links exploring  the world of winter backpacking:

THE WINTER BACKPACKER
SASTRUGI

A really good book on the subject is Winter Camping, 2nd Edition by Stephen Gorman (Appalachian Mountain Club Books) 1999.

The best way to hike overnight up here in the winter is to buy a cheap plastic sled and carry your stuff on it.  For details about how I built mine, go here.

HOW TO MAKE A WINTER HIKING SLED

*****

AND NOW FOR A SAFETY MOMENT FROM A FELLOW HIKER:

A user of the site sent me this email.  I publish it not to scare you but as a lesson to be careful up here:

"K and I went hiking up Flattop today, kind of late. The winter route people usually take is around the north side of Blueberry Knoll and then up the old North side trail until you get to the Second Saddle, and join the new Southside trail, and then up the last parts to the top. This old-trail route is very steep but has more tracks and less drifts.  I had gone up the normal way last winter and experienced the snow drift problem and post holing the whole way up. Anyway-- today we got to the second saddle and then decided it was too late to go to the top, so we decided to go down the summer Southside trail, and then back to the circumference trail around Blueberry Knoll. 

It started out great, because the drifts had melted earlier in the month, but then it turned into very hard snow with hard ice on top and pure ice over many bare rocks. I had gotten ahead of K by about 50 yards and then slipped traversing a solid ice/snow patch. I had my new ice ax, but did not know how to use it to self-arrest. So I slid at very high speed for around 250 yards, down below to the trail we were headed on. I went over some rock ledges and thought I was going to die. I would have gone all the way down into that valley but I finally hit a soft patch near some shrubs and was able to dig my feet into softer snow. I was moving faster than I can describe-- and could do nothing to stop or stop my acceleration until I hit that one patch. After I stopped I thought then that I had to have broken bones, bloody nose, etc., but I checked and was sore and in shock, but not seriously injured. Then I had to climb up the icy rocks back to K who was still stuck on the ice patch, making her way across while freaking out. She saw me fall and part of my slide and thought the worse, but could not get to me safely, and then I called out to her. We ended up going over the hill at that point until we found the old North trail and gingerly proceeded down, by which time (4:15) it was twilight. 

So I have sprains and contusions-- pretty bad bruising of my left hip, left buttock, right knee, right shoulder and neck, right elbow, and left upper calf. I found my pole and ice ax... but tore my down jacket. Needless to say, it was the scariest thing that has happened to me. I was just going so fast, and waiting to hit the big rock that never came. My crampons are coming in on the 19th. I also need to better judge the dangers and learn to use my ice ax-- so that is my story"...  R

*****

AVALANCHE
If you are hiking where there is still snow about (some places have snow all year), do not take this subject lightly. Avalanches have killed more people in this state than bears!  The below link can give you a comprehensive overview of the subject.  However, if you are going to doing anything extreme in snow conditions (i.e., snowmobiling, mountaineering, heli-skiing), I sincerely urge you to explore the dangers of avalanches further.

NSIDC-AVALANCHE AWARENESS

TERRAIN
The good news: it's easier than you think to travel in the Alaskan backcountry.  You can thank the glaciers for that.  One, most hikes are in glacial valleys which means gently sloping upwards instead of sharp increases in elevation.  Two, it is very easy to get above treeline up here due to the colder weather which means more views and easier traveling and navigation. And three, again thanks to glaciers, rivers and streams have wide banks for easy hiking and navigation. 

The bad news (sort of): Alaskan trails are kept as primitive as possible.  If you're a Northeast hiker, like I was, be prepared for very little guidance on the trail.  That means no paint marks on trees and no guideposts at intersections. It does mean fallen trees and confusing dall sheep trails intersecting the hiking trail and sometimes the trail disappearing all together.  And of course there is the usual having to trek through mud, huge puddles, and overgrown brush at certain points on the trail.

You can pretty much hike in any kind of terrain you want from dense moss covered spruce forests, to mars like rock and rubble above treeline, to dramatic flower covered glacial moraines, to washed out riverbeds.  Enjoy all this wonderful scenery but remember these three things; watch where you're stepping, pay attention to where you've been and pay attention to where you're going.

A Weird Tidbit That May Be Useful: For some weird reason up here, what should be rivers are designated creeks and what should be ponds are called lakes.


NAVIGATION
You don't have to be a Green Beret to find your way around but a minimal education on using a compass and a topo map is critical.  The more remote you go, the more critical it is.  If you're going to a trail less area, and you feel uncomfortable, you may want to pick a route that follows a stream or river or an obvious mountain pass. The best advice is to pay attention to passing landmarks and match them with what's on your topo map.  Better to stop and orient yourself right away than to plug away hoping for the best.

I don't have any experience yet with a GPS but the more I hear about them, the more I'm thinking of getting one. However, you should know that it does take some education in how to use one.  If you're going with this option, buy it at home and become familiar with it before you come up. 

Below are some links that can give you a good background about navigation and what to do if you get lost.  Again, try these skills at home before you go into the backcountry.

NAVIGATING WITH MAP AND COMPASS

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET LOST IN THE WILDERNESS?

ROUTE FINDING

Be aware that while following a main creek or river  is a good idea to keep from getting lost, tributaries coming from the mountains should not be gauged against topo map info. Since that map was made there's a good chance some have dried up and new ones were created.  In addition, spring may temporarily double the number of water flows.

*****

JJ Kaiser sent me an email with the following:

Please add to the Maps section that Topozone and other sites, as well as REI maps contain only the info given "by the latest survey" which can be 20 years old.  At this time of warming, many glaciers that are on maps are receding quickly, and can even change the direction of a river! For example, the river going out of Summit Lake at Lake Clark NP now goes west, not east.  All maps show the Tlikakila River going out of Summit Lake to Lake Clark.  Not true!  Ask a pilot how things have changed, especially at Skolai Pass in the Wrangell's. Ask also about recent rock slides, or any other natural events that have changed the terrain. Alaska is too big and bold to ask for additional problems.


*****


BUSHWHACKING
Being off trail and wading through shrubs and tall plants is not my idea of fun.  I usually go out of my way to avoid it.  Besides the general irritation of it, it makes me nervous not to see the ground I'm walking on and the fear that I may fall in a hole and injure myself.  But if the reward is worth it, I'll plod on through.  The low shrub is not too bad but if it's willow or dense windblown spruce, prepare for a rough time.  Luckily, it's easy to get above treeline and sometimes you can avoid the hassle if you can walk along the ridge. 

I found two great articles on the subject in Backpacker Magazine.  I offer the second one below for information purposes only.  I personally have not had to deal with this kind of terrain on any kind of large scale.

IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE

TUNDRA TREKKING



POST HOLING
Post holing is when you are walking along the top of snow and one or both of your legs sinks in deep without warning.  It's a frightening experience and one thing sure to slow you down. I'm a short tempered New Yorker so it's no surprise that I get pretty pissed off when I have to deal with this.  To avoid offending some dall sheep with my foul mouth, it's worth the extra weight to bring the snowshoes, just in case.  Depending on the trail, I usually pack them right into mid-June (a very surreal experience to be in snowshoes and shorts).  It can be a nuisance if you are going between snow and ground during breakup but better a nuisance than a broken leg.  I also started bringing a walking stick (or trekking poles if you prefer) which comes in real handy when you need some leverage to get your leg out of the hole. 

If you are hiking early in the season, when the temps are still pretty chilly in the morning, that's when you should hike as the top layer is usually frozen and more secure. In the summer, any snow you travel over should be packed  down enough to cause you little trouble.

Please follow the link below for a well written article on snow hiking:

SNOW SMARTS: HOW TO TRAVEL SAFELY ACROSS FOUR SEASONS OF WHITE.


THE ALASKA MILE
I put this in at the risk of some people laughing at me but I truly believe that somehow a mile is longer in Alaska than in other places.  My theories on this unique phenomenon predicate on the fact that I usually did 15-20 miles a day back East and now act like 10 is a major journey.  After 3 years of hiking in Alaska, I realized that this is due to the deceiving mental perception of  the contours of a glacial valley.  

Imagine one of those huge slides at amusement parks, the ones that you climb a stairs and they give you a square of carpet to slide down.  The slide consists of the more inclined areas where you speed up and the less inclined areas where you slow down. A glacial valley is similar except at much less of incline.  What this means is that you feel like you're walking flat when you are really going up.  Also, since you usually see only the immediate ridge in front of you and the top of the valley, you feel like the distance should be shorter.  Except, then you get to the top of that ridge and you see the next one.

If you live up here and know what I'm talking about, please email me with your comments and theories.

*****
Jesse Jones emailed me the following:

As someone who has recently (one year ago) moved from Kansas to Alaska I know exactly what you mean with the Alaskan Mile. In the farm country of the mid-west I am very well versed in the length of a mile as most roads are exactly one mile apart. However, after a snowshoe trip across Portage Lake to camp near the Portage and Burns Glaciers this past March, I found it extremely difficult to judge distance. My friends and I discussed this problem and came up with the following conclusion (which applies only for winter or all-year-snow conditions):

The snow and ice reflects the sunlight differently than the brush and rock. This reflection gives the illusion that things are closer to you than they really are. The depth of the snow and ice also effects this theory, as deeper snow makes things look bigger (thus closer) at further distances than more shallow snow.

This has not been tested or very well thought out, as we were all freezing in the single digit temps while making this snowshoe trip.

*****


FORDING RIVERS
I want to thank my dog Star for being such a little chicken when it comes to crossing streams and rivers.  If it is too swift, she absolutely will not cross.  This causes me to, one, try to avoid it when I can and two, when I do, to take the time and find a safer place to cross that won't freak out my wussy pooch.

This is Alaska baby, and you better be prepared to get your feet wet, and in some places, a lot more.  Just about every one of those streams, creeks and rivers have the melting glaciers as their source which means cold, cold, cold.  If you're going to Denali or the Wrangell's, you may have to deal with going in above your waist.  Sometimes on the way to your destination, the stream was just a trickle, the next day it's a raging torrent.  Many glacial rivers are shallow in the morning and deep in the afternoon due to the glacier melting during warmer daylight hours.

Needless to say, if you have to cross, you need to do it quickly and safely. The best thing to do is take the time and find the best place to cross.  It's better to find a spot where the stream or river breaks into may slower sections (known as braided) instead of having to do one big one.  If you're with a group, learn the pyramid method of crossing.  Most hiking guidebooks up here explain the technique very well.

ALWAYS UNBUCKLE ALL STRAPS AND BELTS ON YOUR PACK NO MATTER WHAT THE CURRENT OR DEPTH!  If you don't and you fall in, a pack can fill with water very quickly adding significant weight and making it harder for you get to the surface as well as restricting your maneuverability.  Before you cross be mentally prepared to shed your pack in a flash if necessary.

Protect your camera and other valuables before you cross.  It's usually the ones I thought would be trouble free that I've gotten soaked.  Once, a trick of the light turned what I thought was a foot of water into the reality of 3 feet.  Luckily I got out before water got into my camera bag.

Below are two great articles on the subject.  

WALKING ON WATER
RIVER CROSSINGS

One of the best articles I've ever read on the subject was in the book,  Beyond Backpacking by Ray Jardine (Adventure Lure Press) 2001.

PS: this is a great book in general. I am slowly working toward "lightweight backpacking" and this is the bible on the subject.


SCREE
One thing you may encounter while hiking the mountains and glacial valleys of Alaska is having to climb up or down scree and talus.  Scree is the smaller rocks and talus are the boulders and larger rocks.  It's not as scary as it looks but you do need to be careful.  If possible, try to stay on the side of it for quicker traveling.  Never take the next step until you are sure the resting foot is secure.  The below article has lots of great advice:

HIKING ON SCREE OR TALUS


GLACIERS
Glacier travel is only for the experienced.  Even for them, it is a dangerous situation.  You should never walk out on a glacier.  The danger lies in its deep crevasses that are sometimes hidden by snow.  There are many people who thought they were on solid ice who found themselves severely injured at the bottom of a crevasse. The people in your party may not be able to extricate you, especially without rope and special equipment.  Be very careful at the front, or terminus, of a glacier.  Although rare, huge chunks of ice have been known to break off  (know as calving) and crush people.

There are 3 glaciers that I know of where you can walk on top near the terminus with minimal risk: Exit Glacier, Matanuska Glacier, and Worthington Glacier. 

PS: If you'd like to educate yourself about glaciers and their awesome power, please visit the below site, a great introductory website. 

ALL ABOUT GLACIERS

In addition, a great book for the layperson, but hard to find is Glaciers of North America: a Field Guide by Sue A. Ferguson (Fulcrum Publishing) 1992. The book also covers the rudiments of glacial travel.


MUDFLATS
NEVER EVER WALK ON THE MUDFLATS ON THE BANKS OF THE COOK INLET, TURNARAGIN ARM OR ANYWHERE ELSE! What looks secure is in reality very finely ground silt (the effluent of glacial grinding).  The stuff is like quicksand and it is almost impossible to get your feet out of it.  With one of the fastest tides in the world, your chances of drowning are very real.

GEOLOGIC HAZARDS-MUDFLATS

I've seen just about all the books out there for the Southcentral region of Alaska. The two best, and the only ones I really use are:

Hiking Alaska: A Falcon Guide 2nd edition
By Dean Littlepage
(Falcon Publishing, Inc.) 2006

This is my favorite as it is the most inclusive. It finally got an update in 2006.  For the shear number of hikes, including their associated elevation grids, it can't be beat.  There is a chart in front that is very handy for helping you to narrow your choices.

        

55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska 5th Edition
By Helen D. Nienhueser & John Wolfe, Jr.
(The Mountaineers) 2006

I like this one a lot because it has the feel of real hikers doing their thing.  The authors' love of this region shows through on every page. This book also does a great job of connecting areas of trails for better planning.  This is probably the book most used by residents of Alaska.

These two guidebooks,  as well as others, can be found at most bookstores, department stores, and souvenir shops in town as well as online.  

For online shopping, I recommend the Alaska History Association's online bookstore.  I've noticed with the big online bookstores that they are usually out of stock on the smaller press Alaska guidebooks.  They also have other great books about Alaska and you would be helping out a worthwhile non profit organization.

Go here for a listing of other great Alaska guide books

HIKING ALASKA - GET HIKING!


OTHER BOOKS
Besides the books that I recommend throughout this page and others, here are some others that I've found interesting and useful and specifically relate to Alaska.

A Naturalist's Guide to Chugach State Park by Jenny Zimmerman (A.T. Publishing and Printing, Inc.) 1994
  Although specific to this park, most of the information can be extrapolated to other parts. A very well written nature guide.

The Nature of Alaska edited by James Kavanagh (Waterford Press) 1997
  I like this book because it's a great identification book without being too bulky or cumbersome to carry around on the trail. Birdwatchers and other serious wildlife viewers may want something more extensive.

Compass American Guides: Alaska by John Murray (Fodor's Travel Publications) 1999
  For the tourist stuff, I like this one the best of all.

Artic Village by Robert Marshall (University of Alaska Press) 2000
  Hard to find but a great read.  Written in the thirties about an mining town in the Artic and its independent people.  It is loosely an ethnography but so much more.  I could not put this book down.

The Native People of Alaska by Steve Langdon (Greatland Graphics) 1993
  A small but informative guide to the main tribes of Native Americans in Alaska.


BUYING AND RENTING GEAR
Unless you're looking for something specific and/or high tech, save your money on butane, dehydrated meals, etc. by shopping at the major department stores.  Up here, all carry the basics for camping and backpacking at a significant savings.

For the specifics, and for the gear you don't want to risk going cheap on, there are quite a few recreational gear stores around the city, especially midtown.  Please consult the Anchorage or Internet yellow pages.

Renting
If you want to avoid the hassle of schlepping your stuff up here, you can rent almost anything you need in Anchorage.  The few things I've rented up here have run the gamut from a fine piece of equipment to a genuine piece of crap.  If you are going this route, find out what brands, etc. they rent out before making your decision.

Buying 
Things cost so much more up here due to shipping. You are much better off getting the big ticket items at home before you get up here.

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

Only Alaskan residents can dipnet fish and only within a set time period.  Fishing by this method involves wading in the water and using a huge net to bring in the salmon.


FIRES
Do I really need to tell you about forest fires and the need to be careful. If you're coming in the summer and go above treeline, the point is moot as there is no wood up there any way.  Most of the parks would rather you didn't use a fire as it scars the land.  Make sure you pack a camp stove.  If there is a metal firepit or if a campfire is allowed (usually on beaches and gravel banks), use only dead wood and keep the fire manageable.

For the last 20 years, the Kenai Peninsula has been hit hard by an infestation of spruce bark beetle.  This has resulted in huge swatches of standing dead and dried spruce trees.  It is no longer a question of if, but when there will be a huge forest fire in this area.  Do you want to go down in history as the person who started it?  Please, be careful!



PARKING FEES
There are a few trailheads that require a fee for parking, usually the ones with outhouses (the cost covers their maintenance).  The cost is usually $5 per day.  Most times, there is no one to take your money so you would be wise to always have a few $5 bills handy as well as a pen in your vehicle to fill out the form.  

If you know you'll be using one of the State Park's fee lots at least 8 times in a year, then it would be wise to purchase a yearly pass.  Starting in 2004, the cost is $40 and I know you can get one at the Federal Building at 4th and F and at the Atwood building on 7th and E, 12th Floor.  If anybody knows of any other places, please contact me. 

On the actual hike pages, I let you know in the "Etc." section if the trailhead requires a parking fee.  I may have missed one or two so bring some $'s just in case.



CAMPING
Alaska has many state public campgrounds that are right off the main highways.  They are usually your basic site with a picnic table and a fire pit.  The campground will have a water source and outhouses.  Most sites cost around $10 a night but some increased to $15 in 2004. Bring exact change as they are usually not staffed.  After Labor Day and before Memorial Day, the sites are usually free but there are no services available.  State campgrounds are on a first come, first serve basis.  Please go to the below website for more information.

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES-DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

The federal campsites usually have electrical hookups for RV'ers. They usually cost $15 a night and you are allowed to make reservations.  Please go to RESERVEUSA for more info.  This site can also help you if you want to rent a federal cabin.  

Most of the time you will not be hassled if you find a nice spot off the road and want to spend the night.  However, make sure you are not on private property and there are no signs indicating you can't camp there.

If you would like to find out about private campgrounds, most of the internet business directories can help you as well as the local chambers of commerce (most of whom have websites).

* When traveling around by vehicle, keep a small cooler with drinks, food and munchies.  Stores and places to get food are limited once you get out of Anchorage and are often quite expensive.  

* More than likely, you'll really get your boots wet on the trail.  Bring a cheap pair of sandals and thermal socks for lounging around camp.

*Most of Alaska's soil is extremely rocky with a smaller layer of topsoil than the lower 48.  Subsequently, staking a tent can be a real hassle up here.  Carry extra rope in case you have to improvise with large rocks.  The best way to do this is tie a small rock to the rope with a larger rock resting on the rope between the smaller rock and the tent stake loop.

USEFUL WEB LINKS
First off, I would really like to thank all the sites above for their invaluable information.  The truth for me is that I am not a natural writer.  It is a long and difficult process for me and something I try to avoid. I offer much thanks to the very eloquent writers linked to above who made my job so much easier.  I urge you to further explore their sites, but later, because right now you're viewing mine :-)

In particular I would like to thank:

Alaska.com
Alaska State Department of Natural Resources
Backpacker Magazine
Get Outdoors

Other great sites:

Softlady's Alaskan Treasures -
     This site has a great list of links.  Plus I really like her essay about living in Alaska.

Backpacking Lightweight-
     You may not want to go whole hog into this philosophy but I am traveling with less weight and it is making all the difference.  This is a great backpacking site regardless of whether you agree with their philosophy or not.

Anchorage Daily News-
     Their website is a great resource for visitors.  

Alaska Trails-
     A statewide organization advocating for trails and trail access.  
   

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