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 One Man’s Mountain Alaska Landmine Special Feature, December 2, 2019 “The mountain goes unnamed on current maps and hikers simply refer to it as ‘East McHugh,’ but 1979 USGS maps briefly gave it its own name: Ruby…” Read the … Read More

« Trip Reports on Winterbear.com Eagle to Peters Hiking from Eagle River to Peters Creek, in Chugach State Park August 26, 2016 August is a tricky time of year for hiking in the Chugach. The early-season excitement of May and … 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

Guidebook Intel on Alaska hikes, climbs, and float trips. For more information about the Guidebook and how to use the information on these pages, click here. Chugach State Park Anchorage Talkeetna Mountains