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The Cold Place
 
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The Cold Place
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Max Noorkoiv
20/05/11 15:40
 Rookie 8 forum posts
I'm planning an expedition in Alaska in the next year, and i would liek to get alot of advice from anyone that has been to Alaska, or similar areas. So any advice on the enviroment, the gear and the area would be helpful.
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ed h
20/05/11 17:29
I've been - but more of an idea of when, where, and what (you are doing) would help?
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Tytto tho Pesh
20/05/11 19:41
I've been, Max, but only in the south and in the Summer months.  If you're thinking of the more polar regions, then I think Paddy Dillon has the most recent experience of Arctic Circle trekking.
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ed h
20/05/11 20:58
Or better still, Andrew Skurka.
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Max Noorkoiv
21/05/11 01:30
 Rookie 8 forum posts
Well it's would be a cross state walk. The main path would be starting from Wales in the west, and finishing off in Anchorage, or starting from the south on the island of kodiak, and finishing up in Barrow. Me and my friend have both compleated a gold duke of edinburgh award, and have plenty of walking and camping experience. We would spend a few months there untill we got across. This is the plan, yet it's in its early stages, so if things come up or if it seems crazy, it might be changed.
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Bedouin
21/05/11 13:53
 Rookie 2216 forum posts
What time of year?

Obviously your Duke of Edinburgh award is a good start but Alaska is a very VERY unforgiving place... make sure your fully aware of the risks and always have a realistic 'bale out' plan for ANY point along your trek should you need it.

Its not only Chris McCandless that underestimated the dangers even within a few miles of safety and paid the ultimate price!!
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Gneiss Boots
21/05/11 17:43

I've been walking in the south and around Canadian Border. If you follow one of their trails it could be a good trip. i would be reluctant to start making up your own trail. As well as being unsympathetic to rights of access on private land, fairly challenging route finding etc you will have to be more cautious about bear encounters. Can you explain more about what you are intending?

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Mike fae Dundee
21/05/11 18:31
Have a search of the BPL.com forum. Quite a few of the members hike or live in Alaska.
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Max Noorkoiv
21/05/11 21:00
 Rookie 8 forum posts
Just passing through towns and parts of the wilderness. Following a land point such as a raver or a pathway. And April time
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Gneiss Boots
22/05/11 15:46
Sounds fairly ambitious (not necessarily a bad thing) and likely still pretty cold in April. I would start researching areas in general (Lonely Planet Alaska and other reading) and use that to focus your questions onto this or other forums as I am not sure there is too much that anyone can sensibly comment on here yet. It is a BIG state which its representation on most atlases and maps does not really represent well due to its latitude. When you see the picture of alaska superimposed on the rest of the US it really brought it home to me.
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Addick
22/05/11 16:01

A book that could be useful is,

Planning a wilderness trip to Canada and Alaska by Keith Morton.

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Max Noorkoiv
24/05/11 12:54
 Rookie 8 forum posts

I've had a look at it before, it covers almost half of the entire United states. Pretty big :/

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Sandpiper
24/05/11 13:10
 Rookie 796 forum posts

If you've not seen this: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/169211-33-Days-Across-Wrangell-St-Elias-NP-AK-The-Southern-Spiral-(NSR) you should read it. Amazing stuff. Possibly a bit of a step beyond what you had in mind, though

Probably a good idea to ask around on US/Canadian forums as people in that part of the world are a fair bit more likely to have been there before.

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Andinista
24/05/11 13:25
 Rookie 91 forum posts 4 reviews
I went to Alaska one Easter a few years back.

It was great time to go.

Still plenty of snow about, but not crazy cold and reasonable daylight hours.

BUT I went with decent winter kit and still couldn't do all that much. A bit of snowshoeing and camping in Denali (ice on my bag, frozen boots but great fun in minus 20 with a fire and cold beer!).

Many places I'd planned on going were still too winterbound. So ended up drinking microbrews by the fire in the Talkeetna Roadhouse, taking a airtaxi up onto the Ruth Glacier, hot springs, northern lights etc etc. and generally puttering around as a tourist.

Marvelous times.

Read "Winterdance" about the Iditerod to get an idea of what you might face...
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Max Noorkoiv
24/05/11 16:49
 Rookie 8 forum posts

Thanks for the info guys

 My main concern is a walking boot that will keep my feet warm (oviously), wont cause blisters, keeps out wetness and moisture and is lightweight. Besides that, the right windproof clothing is all i need to look out for.

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ed h
24/05/11 17:02
And bug protection - the mosquito's are not shy...and as for that 'dusk till dawn' malarky....they've not read that bit of the 'how to behave as an insect' manual
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Mike fae Dundee
24/05/11 17:48
Max Noorkoiv wrote (see)

Thanks for the info guys

 My main concern is a walking boot that will keep my feet warm (oviously), wont cause blisters, keeps out wetness and moisture and is lightweight. Besides that, the right windproof clothing is all i need to look out for.


Andrew Skurka just walked Alaska in mesh trail shoes.
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Max Noorkoiv
25/05/11 20:29
 Rookie 8 forum posts

Mesh shoes you say?

I might just have to investigate that

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Chris, OutdoorsGrub.co.uk
25/05/11 23:05
 Rookie 1245 forum posts
The folks over at http://www.nwhikers.net/ are very helpful and I'm sure there's people who have been to Alaska. Check out Chris Townsend's book Walking the Yukon, which is a great read and also gives you an idea of what you'd face. Chris is a helpful chap too and you may try emailing him. Alaska's wilderness is an extremely serious place to hike, but absolutely amazing! For an easier intro to the area, check out the Chilkoot Trail.
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