Eagle Peak (6,909 ft.) South face route: 10.2 miles each way, 5,470 ft. elevation gain. Difficulty: Class 3+. My time: 14 hours round trip ▼KMZ South ridge route: 10.8 miles each way, 5,790 ft. elevation gain. Difficulty: Class 3+. My … Read More

South Suicide Peak (5,005 ft.) Via the Rabbit Creek Trailhead, West Ridge Route: 6 miles each way, 3,560 ft. elevation gain. Difficulty: Class 2+. My time: 5 hours round trip▼KMZ Via the Rabbit Creek Trailhead, Hauser’s Gully Route: 5.5 miles … Read More

Penguin Ridge Full ridge 14.9 miles one way, 8,660 ft. elevation gain. Difficulty: Class 3. My time: 12 hours ▼KMZ Driving the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Girdwood, you can’t help but notice the long ridge between Bird and Girdwood. … Read More

Wolverine Peak (4,491 ft.) Via Basher Trailhead: 8.6 miles round trip, 3,675 ft. elevation gain. Difficulty: Class 2. My time: 4 hours ▼KMZ Via Prospect Heights Trailhead: 9.3 miles round trip, 3,490 ft. elevation gain. Difficulty: Class 2. My time: … Read More

Cantata Peak (6,390 ft.) West Ridge Route: 8.4 miles each way, 4,910 ft. elevation gain. Difficulty: Class 3+. My time: 10 hours round trip ▼KMZ Cantata is one of the most recognizable big peaks in the Chugach, rising to 6,390 … Read More

Purchased summer 2012, reviewed September 2016 At a volume of 22 liters (or 20 for the small/medium size), the Osprey Talon 22 hits a sweet spot for day packs. This size is perfect for all the essentials for spring to … Read More

Purchased September 2015, reviewed September 2016, updated November 2017 L.L. Bean’s “Bean Boots” are one of those rare items that make it into the closets of both parents and their college-bound kids. They are a simple, durable boot: waterproof leather … Read More

Writing Trekking Where Time Stops Backpacker Magazine, May 2016 Issue “When I hoist myself onto the plate of blue and silver ice, I’m startled to see a caribou skeleton. It’s almost perfectly intact its antlers pointing upward to the ragged, … Read More

August is a tricky time of year for hiking in the Chugach. The early-season excitement of May and endless daylight of June are long past, and the weather tends to turn a little moody. It’s easy to look up at … Read More

“The only sponsor I have is the Salvation Army, a place I can get clothes cheap.” – Dick Griffith, “father of packrafting” and legendary Alaska backcountry adventurer In general, having the right type of gear and knowing how to use … Read More