Between its gorgeous landscapes, its famous national parks, and its diverse and unique wildlife, the Last Frontier truly is a dream come true for hikers. That being said, Alaska also has a number of unique traits that can take even the most experienced hikers by surprise.
In order to help you make your trip as pleasant as possible, we’ve written a brief guide on how to prepare and what to expect when you go hiking in Alaska. Read on.
What should I bring on a hiking trip in Alaska?
Even a short hiking trip inevitably takes you away from the safety of civilization and puts you at the mercy of Mother Nature. Luckily, by bringing some hiking essentials with you, you’ll be able to deal with everything the wilderness can throw at you.
These hiking essentials things are:
- Rugged hiking boots are a must. Don’t make the mistake of going hiking in a pair of running shoes.
- First aid kit and an emergency blanket are a must-have safety precaution.
- Companions. Hiking with others lessens your chance of an unpleasant wildlife encounter (bears are scared of groups of people) and provides you with a safety net if something goes wrong.
- Flares and waterproof matches. Both of these enable you to create a smoke signal in case of an emergency.
- Bear spray and a bear bag. Bears rarely attack people, but it’s still a good idea to have a can of spray on you at all times. A bear bag will further reduce the chance of a bear encounter by masking the smell of the foods you’re carrying with you.
- Guidebook for edible fruits and plants. If you get lost for more than a day or two, you may be forced to eat wild berries and plants to survive. Knowing which ones are edible could save your life.
What should I keep in mind when hiking in Alaska?
Hiking through the Alaskan wilderness really is an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. However, it can also be dangerous if you don’t know how to deal with its challenges.
Keep the following in mind:
Be ready for the weather
Alaskan weather is notoriously unpredictable. If you go hiking, you need to be ready to deal with sudden onsets of fog, unexpected temperature changes, and more.
Navigation is a must
It’s easy to get lost in Alaska. Whether you use GPS, a topo map, or a compass, you need to be able to stay aware of where you are.
Don’t run from bears
If you come across a bear, you should stand your ground, remain calm, and stay in a group. Running away will trigger the bear’s hunting instinct and make it chase you.
Run from moose
Most of the time, moose won’t care about your presence as long as you don’t try to approach them. If they do charge you, run away from them and hide behind a tree (or climb on a tree). They won’t chase you if they feel you’re no longer close enough to be a threat.
You can’t rely on your phone
Cell service is nonexistent in many parts of Alaska. Even satellite phones won’t work if a mountain is blocking the signal.
We’ll keep your home clean while you’re away
The last thing you want to do after getting back from a long hiking trip is to spend hours mopping and vacuuming your home. At White Lilac, we can help you solve that problem by connecting you with dependable cleaners in Alaska who have the tools and the expertise necessary to give your house a truly extensive cleaning.
Book your cleaning today or give us a call if you’d like to learn more about what we provide.