Backpacking Chugach: Part 2
It was quite an adventure for our first backpacking trip. We prepared the best we could- we studied the map, brought bear spray and extra food, but still there were issues unexpected. I don’t regret anything we did on this trip but rather remember it as creating an important foundation for life in the outdoors. I know I must take risks, make mistakes and learn in order to make myself a better person, both in outdoor endeavors and in life.
Chugach State Park: Alaska’s Backyard Wilderness by Bill Sherwonit with photos by Carl Battreall
If you have ever flown into the Anchorage International Airport then you’ve probably flown over Chugach State Park. Although these mountains dominate the skyline of the most populated city in Alaska, they are often overlooked by tourists. They are predominately visited by locals and few have witnessed the most remote parts of the park. This book shows off the beauties of this area over all four seasons, highlighting just some of the stunning scenery, plants, and wildlife in the park. I picked up this book in a tiny bookstore in Anchorage just after our backpack trip, it is now a treasured part of my book collection. Click on the title link above to see a slideshow of some of the photos in the book. You can also purchase a signed hardback version of the book on the website.
The great Alaskan photographer Carl Battreall is currently working on an ambitious project to document the entire Alaska Range for a large format photo book which has never been done before. You can see his photos and follow his story on his blog, The Alaska Range Project.
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2 COMMENTS
Great photos and really enjoyed your account of what it’s like to backpack there. Your first backpack ever? Impressive undertaking then. I started with weekend/overnight backpacks in the Cascades before graduating to week-long hikes. I got a new backpack for Christmas so good to get new ideas/inspiration.
Thanks, Jill! Yes, it was my first backpack ever! It’s such a great area, there is so much to explore and not many people once you get away from the trailhead. It was also very easy to access from Anchorage without renting a car. I’m happy to answer any questions if you want to plan a trip. Yay for a new backpack! 🙂