If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would you?

by **highpilgrim** » 25 Apr 2012, 08:35

The Brooks Range in northern Alaska. You can hike hundreds of miles there and never see another person. One of the last almost untouched wilderness areas in North America.

by **planet54** » 25 Apr 2012, 08:58

highpilgrim wrote:The Brooks Range in northern Alaska. You can hike hundreds of miles there and never see another person. One of the last almost untouched wilderness areas in North America.

It is a real chore getting around up there. Permafrost, tussocks,alder bashing,caribou moss, skeeters ,grizz and maps with 200 foot contour intervals, but I would go back in a heartbeat. Time's a wastin'.

by **highpilgrim** » 25 Apr 2012, 09:08

planet54 wrote:
highpilgrim wrote:The Brooks Range in northern Alaska. You can hike hundreds of miles there and never see another person. One of the last almost untouched wilderness areas in North America.

It is a real chore getting around up there. Permafrost, tussocks,alder bashing,caribou moss, skeeters ,grizz and maps with 200 foot contour intervals, but I would go back in a heartbeat. Time's a wastin'.

The mosquitos in some places there were the worst I have ever seen. A hood was mandantory and the incessant droning outside of it was a constant soundtrack. But what a place! It is so cool to see a place like that and to know what it was like a couple of centuries ago in North America. Boundless and teeming with wildlife.

Highly recommended.

by **peter303** » 25 Apr 2012, 09:50

If you have a chance, listen to Andrew Skura's extreme hike through Alaska. I heard it at Neptune last year. He brought an inflatable kayak for some parts so he could cross lakes and short cut inlets. Plus he did the mail drop thing again. Post Offices can be far apart there, and worse if they are ever allowed to close them.
http://andrewskurka.com/slideshows-clinics/current-schedule/

by **godsnthemtns** » 25 Apr 2012, 10:46

peter303 wrote:If you have a chance, listen to Andrew Skura's extreme hike through Alaska. I heard it at Neptune last year. He brought an inflatable kayak for some parts so he could cross lakes and short cut inlets. Plus he did the mail drop thing again. Post Offices can be far apart there, and worse if they are ever allowed to close them.
http://andrewskurka.com/slideshows-clinics/current-schedule/

Funny you should mention Andrew.... I just went to one of his talks/clinics yesterday! Thanks for the link!

by **RoanMtnMan** » 25 Apr 2012, 13:10

The Brooks are best in August or May I think. Despite a few snow storms here and there it is generally dry and no skeeters, May would ad the advantage of probably the easiest month of the year to travel since one could move very fast with skis as compared to tundra-whacking. We hitchhiked up the haul road in August 2000 and then just started hiking from near Atigun Pass. 2 weeks later we made our way back to the road and hitched back to Fairbanks. Wow! Hands down the coolest hiking place in the U.S., Canada has a few that rival it, but nothing in the U.S. For a little inspiration check out Deep North, a short film by Corey Rich, a master craftsman.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Photography-Tips/gxbvgs3m/1/Nikon-World-Online-Exclusive-Deep-North.html

by **gdthomas** » 25 Apr 2012, 15:04

Technically not in the US but to the top of Mt. Olympus on Mars - three times higher than Everest and little chance of seeing another soul.

Website · by **Matt Lemke** » 25 Apr 2012, 15:19

The elevation they give that mountain is so arbitrary. What do they use for a "sea level" on Mars? I've always wondered this :-k

by **climbing_rob** » 25 Apr 2012, 15:23

gdthomas wrote:Technically not in the US but to the top of Mt. Olympus on Mars - three times higher than Everest and little chance of seeing another soul.

Well, even though it is 80,000 feet above "sea level", it would be an easy class 1 walk up. Supposedly if you were climbing it, it is so gradual that you couldn't tell you were even climbing a hill. But then there is the t/h access. Would a 2WD make it to that t/h? Better take some Ibuprofen for acclimation though as the base air density is only 1% of earth sea level. Even thinner as you ascend. A down jacket might be handy as well.

by **planet54** » 25 Apr 2012, 15:56

gdthomas wrote:Technically not in the US but to the top of Mt. Olympus on Mars - three times higher than Everest and little chance of seeing another soul.

I own a mining claim at the top. You are out of luck.

by **DeucesWild** » 25 Apr 2012, 16:08

planet54 wrote:I own a mining claim at the top. You are out of luck.

Ah, but it is heaven in our own universe; there are no lawyers on Mars.

If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would you?

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Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would

Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would

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