I’m going to Alaska!

[Daryl]

A friend of mine moved up to Alaska a few years ago with her boyfriend. Now they are getting married! I’ll be spending a week in the Anchorage area of Alaska in August. They are both avid outdoors people so I’m sure they will have a good list of things to do for us, but does anyone that has been there before have any “must do” stuff while we are up there?

[Wiz]

I spent 3 months in Fairbanks in the dead of winter. Avoiding that is a "must"!
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"...A man who knew that he had to do what he knew he had to do, and knew it!"

[Lizard]

Check out the Kenai Peninsula, its a (relatively) short drive from Anchorage and has some amazing scenery and wildlife. For dayhikes, the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park is amazing, as is teh Carter Lake/Crescent Lake trail. For a longer trip, the Resurrection Pass trail has six cabins that can be reserved for backpacking trips. There is also great cross-country hiking available in Kenai Wildlife Refuge and Chugach State Park (don't be fooled by the name, as this million-acre state park is larger than most national parks in the lower 4.

I reccommend buying the Lonely Planet guide to Alaska and using it to plan out your trip. I found this book really useful.

Have fun,

Chris
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"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”- Sir Ernest Shackleton, newspaper classified.

[Shawn]

Remember, in griz country you are not at the top of the food chain.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

[Daryl]

Yep, a friend just sent me that email (with pictures) that went around with the 12 foot gizzly. YIKES! I'll have to be sure to hike with someone slower then me that I don't like.
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[Hikngrl]

My son lived there for three years. I will email him and see if he has any suggestions. When are you going?
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~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

[Daryl]

August 2004

And by the way, thanks all for the advice. I'm really looking forward to going.

[monster]

I believe the May issue of Backpacker magazine had a lot on Alaska.
Maybe you know someone with a subscription or the website reads; "consult past issues of BACKPACKER. You can purchase reprints of articles of interest to you by calling (610) 967-8296."
Alternatively, you can goto www.backpacker.com and search for "Alaska".

[Daryl]

Actually I have that issue. I forgot about it... Thanks
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[Tom Treks]

Quit rubbing it in already Daryl! Sheesh!

You're killin me here...

[Canyon Dweller]