backcountry hiking / camping
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- anzelina
who has done this?
i want to try it out in alaska this summer. any suggestions?
- nice-land0
I love backpacking but Alaska is a whole different ball of whacks. grizzlies, mosquitoes, locals. Best to do your homework on that before you go.
- Carty0
bring a body bag.
- 2cent0
well there are a lot of things you have to factor in but the main ones are... weather, terrain & wildlife.
i'm not sure exactly the wildlife in alaska but i'm pretty sure the main 2 you have to worry about are there... grizzlies and cougars.. you definetly don't want to cross either of them.
backpacking in place like the alaskan backcountry is gonna be heavy duty for sure. i would suggest doing a lot of research on this one and go with someone who has done it before.
i also don't know what your level of survival/camping skills are so its tough to say... what are some of your past treks?
- Point50
Yeah, I couldn't imagine hiking the backcountry in Alaska! I did some backcountry in Zion last Spring and I thought that several people were with us were surely going to die. They just weren't smart and/or physically strong or agile enough for a lot of what we did. The water levels were much higher than usual and about 45 degrees! and we and we treaded and swam in it for a good 2.5 hours. Crazy. But yes, do major research. Check out the National Parks site:
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parksea…
and the National Forest site:
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/…
They'll have good information and links to additional resources.
I usually do day hikes (no camping overnight) so I would recommend a large Camel Pack filled with water, extra water in addition to that, snacks with both hi and lo glycemic levels, extra socks, layered clothing, sunblock, sunglasses, compass, alternate shoes (if terrain varies a great deal), well vented hat (to block sun) or beanie (if it's pretty cold) & camera. If you're going to tread water of if it looks like rain, be sure to double bag everything that needs to stay dry. Flash floods, harsh weather and wildlife are a definitely things to be cautious and aware of at all times.
- anzelina0
woah.
yeah i have never done any overnight hiking / trekking.
i have done day-long hikes but i always have returned home or to an already set up camp site. so i wouldn't really classify myself as very advanced or anything.
perhaps i should try somewhere less extreme before alaska! although it does seem that the denali national park has some tamer 'units' where i could just wander around for a while...
of course i would not go without someone experienced.
- canuck0
If the grizzlies don't get you then the bugs sure as hell will. Never been to alaska but done some stuff in Northern Ontario, and by far the worst part....the bugs! These aint your regular bugs either blackfly and deer fly like you have never seen.
- ********0
yes are a herd o' durty hoors the lot o' ye! Whit the fuck's wrang wi' frontcountry? Fucken filthy bastarts
- benfal990
deerfly... they are the best :)
hurt
a grizzly hurt too. if a grizzly attack you, just fake dead on the ground... even if the grizzy is eating your head, just stay calm and fake dead. he will leave you after a leg or two
- contra0
Don't say I didn't warn you.
http://www.zen12165.zen.co.uk/fi…
- ********0
I hear Montana is nice as well
- blindpilot0
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obido…
just finished reading this book, fantastic read - but a grim warning
well worth the read whether you are going or not
- jpea0
if you have one in your area, check out your local REI store. they have tons and tons of expeditions year round, from super tame to all out ballsy. it's super fun and you'd get to meet a bunch of new people who dig the same things. oh, and they'll teach you all the prep stuff too so you won't be stranded once there or anything...
- those0
read this:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obido…
before you go...
and take a knife with you...
a sharp knife...
- anzelina0
i saw a documentary about that guy, who got his arm stuck between the rocks!
it was CRAZY.
of course i would not go alone so i would avoid that hopefully!
there are no REI stores on the east coast!
- jpea0
well then:
http://www.outwardboundwildernes…
- anzelina0
woah.
the course that outward bound has in alaska involves ice climbing, which i'm not down with.they also have 'solo' thingies, where you have to be alone for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. hmm.
- anzelina0
actually, i think this is what i want to do :
http://www.outwardboundwildernes…
but the one for this year already happened. dang!
- hiphoprelic0
If you have never camped overnight, you should go on some overnighters before you take on Alaska.
Thats one harsh climate.
I've been on a few week long trips in the back country of New Mexico, Colorado, and North Carolina with kids who had been on many overnight trips and some of them had a really rough time.
Alaska would take lots of training and preparation. Don't get killed.
- anzelina0
yeah, if i do the dogsled thing, it's not till next year at this time so i have a bit of time to prepare.
i've done overnight camping tons, but not as part of backpacking. so i can spend this spring, summer, and fall preparing.
- ********0
Appalchian Trail, I did 1/3 of as a kid. Even that was too much for my urban butt