Alaska Summer 2027

wsp_scott

wsp_scott

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So it looks like I am going to Alaska next July. My son is doing a 3 weeks NOLS kayaking trip out of Anchorage and I'm going do some backpacking. Right now I'm planning on being solo and spending a whole bunch of time in Denali with a couple week long trips and maybe some dayhikes. I haven't really planned anything right now since you never know what section you are going to get in Denali.

If anyone wants to try to coordinate, let me know. I'd really like to get into Wrangell or Katmai or the Brooks Range, but transportation is ridiculous if you are solo. I've thought about joining an organised trip, but I think I'd rather explore Denali by myself vs pay that kind of money to hike with strangers. But I figure no one on BCP is really a stranger so let me know if this sounds interesting to you. I'd also be happy to hike with someone in Denali if that sounds interesting to you as well.
 
If you decide to do the Kesugi Ridge Trail in the state park, I hope you'll be as lucky as we were with great views of Denali.
 
Janice said:
If you decide to do the Kesugi Ridge Trail in the state park, I hope you'll be as lucky as we were with great views of Denali.
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It is on my list a potential thing based on your trip report, not sure about logistics
 
wsp_scott said:
I've thought about joining an organised trip, but I think I'd rather explore Denali by myself vs pay that kind of money to hike with strangers. But I figure no one on BCP is really a stranger so let me know if this sounds interesting to you. I'd also be happy to hike with someone in Denali if that sounds interesting to you as well.
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I completely understand your reticence about joining an organised hiking trip. Like yourself and many folks on BCP, I also prefer hiking solo or with friends/family.

However, a few years ago, after visiting (and loving) the popular and accessible hiking regions of Annapurna and Everest in Nepal, on solo trips, I realised that the only way to visit some of the more remote and restricted areas of the country was to join a group tour. I was very hesitant to do this at first, because I really didn't want to 'hike with strangers'.

But, I have to say, the trips I took to the Manaslu and Dolpo regions of Nepal as part of a group were fantastic; not just because of the incredible scenery, but also in sharing it with a bunch of (very) like-minded folks from all round the world. These were great experiences and I really enjoyed spending time with such interesting and friendly people.

I've subsequently done group hiking trips to Kyrgyzstan and Peru with similarly positive experiences. One other plus point for an organised tour is that they are led by people with a tremendous knowledge of the geology, history, botany, wildlife, etc of the region, which really does add so much to the overall experience (just imagine @Bob leading you through Yellowstone :) )

I do still prefer to hike solo, but the group experiences I have had have been great.
 
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TrailScot said:
I completely understand your reticence about joining an organised hiking trip. Like yourself and many folks on BCP, I also prefer hiking solo or with friends/family.

However, a few years ago, after visiting (and loving) the popular and accessible hiking regions of Annapurna and Everest in Nepal, on solo trips, I realised that the only way to visit some of the more remote and restricted areas of the country was to join a group tour. I was very hesitant to do this at first, because I really didn't want to 'hike with strangers'.

But, I have to say, the trips I took to the Manaslu and Dolpo regions of Nepal as part of a group were fantastic; not just because of the incredible scenery, but also in sharing it with a bunch of (very) like-minded folks from all round the world. These were great experiences and I really enjoyed spending time with such interesting and friendly people.

I've subsequently done group hiking trips to Kyrgyzstan and Peru with similarly positive experiences. One other plus point for an organised tour is that they are led by people with a tremendous knowledge of the geology, history, botany, wildlife, etc of the region, which really does add so much to the overall experience (just imagine @Bob leading you through Yellowstone :) )

I do still prefer to hike solo, but the group experiences I have had have been great.
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We won't believe any of that until we see a trip report or two!
 
Gonna keep this in mind @wsp_scott I'd love to get back up to Alaska. Little early to commit completely right now, but certainly by January or so I should have a good enough idea of what the next year will look like to talk over some details. Definitely want to get up to the Brooks range someday, and I have no problem revisiting Wrangell-St Elias.
 
b.stark said:
Gonna keep this in mind @wsp_scott I'd love to get back up to Alaska. Little early to commit completely right now, but certainly by January or so I should have a good enough idea of what the next year will look like to talk over some details. Definitely want to get up to the Brooks range someday, and I have no problem revisiting Wrangell-St Elias.
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I figured I would float this out so that people would have time to plan if they were interested. It would be great to hike together again.
 
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