I think it should be said that I hike everywhere. I try to hike a new place everywhere I travel. The world always looks so different from up on a mountain… the weight of it is different too. There is a measure of universal peace that comes at the top of a mountain. It should also be said that I haven’t hiked a big crazy mountain yet. Not because I don’t want to, I just haven’t made my way up there yet. This list isn’t exhaustive and some or a lot of my preferred brands may be different from your preferred brands. I am simply telling you what I have learned in my years of hiking but especially hiking in Alaska.
Alaska’s Weather and Why it Matters
Sometimes in the summer we see a combination of all the types of weather in a day. This means one minute it can be sunny and the next minute it can be raining. The summer storm will pour for a good 20 minutes or so (or longer depending on what’s happening in the clouds) and then its sunny again. I have hiked a trail that was rainy and wet, then dry, then snowing before. It means you have to be prepared for a little more than just a hike. As a rule, I never leave my home in the winter without my snow pants, boots, gloves and hat at a minimum. That doesn’t include all the extra “just in case” gear I keep in my car. Alaska is wild, unforgiving and takes no prisoners. You either make it or you don’t and having the right equipment while traveling, living, camping or hiking in Alaska cannot be stressed enough.
Now, will you get stranded and absolutely need this stuff every time? Will the weather change every time? I doubt it. However, wouldn’t you feel silly if you needed that knife in a bind and didn’t have it? To me, it’s worth the extra 2 lbs weight to carry in exchange for hiking the wilderness in Alaska.
Alaska’s Gun Culture
We share our wilderness with the animals that presided before us. Bears, moose and wolves are common and should be prepared for. No one goes hiking thinking about the bear they will encounter. Bear spray is cool but honestly, you have to be very close and be ready with your pre-adrenaline brain to pull that out while not freaking out. I don’t know about you, but I don’t go around trying to practice my spray skills so in the event of an emergency I can think without thinking. When I go hiking, I bring all three. A knife, bear spray and a gun. Honestly, I’d like very much not to use a gun. I would like to spend my time having a fling with nature than pull a gun. But again, in the event of a bear, you are either lucky or you aren’t and a gun gives you just a little more of an edge. You don’t have to have a gun obviously, however, I would recommend it when hiking in Alaska – especially South Alaska or Kodiak.
Alaskan People
Alaskan people are some of the most genuine, kind and friendly people I have had the pleasure of interacting with. If you find yourself broke down on the side of the road, someone will most likely stop. Alaskans all know how hard and rewarding it is to live here so when things break, we step in for each other. Don’t be surprised if they happen to have a gun on them – you just have to know that there will be a lot of Alaskans that own guns or wear guns – not everyone but enough to tell you about it. It isn’t a threat here, it is just a tool. It should be stated that Alaskans like their space, privacy and guns on top of being awesome people. That being said, while out and about in Alaska, if you see a No Trespassing sign – take heed, you have a 50/50 chance of being shot at.
All of that to say, If you become lost and run into people, expect to be welcomed and helped – unless of course you meet someone who wants their space (but I guess that’s kind of everywhere). That isn’t the collective vibe though, most people are happy to help so don’t be afraid to ask if you get turned around.
Lastly, Alaskans are proud to be Alaskan. We love that we are bad ass enough to live here and if you get a chance to hang out with some Alaskans, do it. We love people, a good beer and a great fire.
Alaska Is Big
There are so many pre-made trails in Alaska that there is no reason to really “pave your own” path. If you do, you may be surprised at how quickly and how easy it is to get turned around. Depending on where you are hiking, the terrain could be the same forever. The top of hills turn into more hills that look exactly the same. Even I find myself turned around sometimes when I am out in the tundra (which I wouldn’t recommend hiking on- it’s so squishy) I would strongly suggest a working knowledge of a compass or topography maps. Even experienced hikers and guides in Alaska can get turned around and lost. Another reason I always pack more food or water than I need for a day trip.
Until you are confident that you know what you’re doing, I recommend staying on trail systems. There are SO many trails, and you will see things, I promise.
Come to Alaska!
This is just a basic run down of the most important things I would tell someone coming to hike here. These basics are the root of my own principals and why I recommend anything for your own hiking journey in Alaska. The people here are beautiful, we like our guns and you’ll find people hiking with their guns. We like helping each other out. I would recommend COMING to ALASKA!! Even if you never go on a serious hike, the smallest ones would be nice to go on. If you are looking for a great place to hike, check out the hiking pages here.