Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Finally Into the Wilderness, the Most Challenging Terrain Begins Now

Follow adventurer Andrew Skurka as he skis, hikes, and rafts 4,720 miles through eight national parks, two major mountain ranges, and some of North America's wildest rivers in Alaska and the Yukon from March to October. Read his blog updates here.

April 11, 2010, posted from Nikolai, Alaska

I think about this expedition in three major legs: Kotzebue to Nikolai (mile 757), Nikolai to Dawson (mile 3,091), and Dawson to Kotzebue (mile 4,720). Leg one is now over. It’s been characterized by flagged snowmachine trails, frequent resupplies (two per week), few days without seeing another person (just three out of 29), casual mileage goals (in order to accommodate severe weather and/or early overuse injuries), and relatively bland scenery.

I’m happy that I successfully skied from Kotzebue to Nikolai, and it worked for the purposes of this trip, but I probably wouldn’t do it again. The pros: the villages were extremely welcoming; I developed new thresholds for cold; I saw several new landscapes (e.g. the Arctic coast and Interior taiga); and I’m a much better cross-country skier. But there were a few too many miles on icy snowmachine trails though unspectacular scenery, and a surprising non-wilderness feel, to bring me back again.

I begin leg two tomorrow, and I expect the trip will quickly take on a different character. For one, the wilderness qualities will improve. Nearly all of the miles are off-trail—instead of mindlessly following a beaten path, I’ll have to read the land (and my maps) and pick the best lines: the most supportive snow, the least brush, the shallowest river crossing, the shortest distance, the best game trails, etc. Also, the distances between resupply points increase—about one per week on average—and seldom are there road-crossings in between.

Another difference in leg two is that I’ll no longer be in “Rural Alaska,” i.e. I will no longer be passing through isolated native villages. My resupply points have bigger populations (that are more white), more services, and more tourists.

Finally, in leg two the intensity of the trip increases—the schedule is not as flexible, and I’ll have to perform at my highest levels in order to keep up with it. The next six weeks, in particular, could be among the trip’s most challenging: two weeks across the western Alaska Range (including Denali National Park), 2 weeks across the eastern Alaska Range (“Hayes Range”) and through the Mentasta Mountains, and 2 weeks through Wrangell-St. Elias National Park out to the Gulf of Alaska. Spring and early-season snowpack will hinder progress; rivers will be high; and cold-and-wet conditions will be common.

Comments

[cialis side effects]

The Dance Director never seems to find his stride - he makes a poor decision for his lead and compounds it with lack of direction, seemingly hoping that Nina will find her "black swan" with nothing more than a grope and an instruction to masturbate. Their screen relationship suffers as a result. We could have seen a smoking chemistry between sadistic teacher (and they are all sadistic!) and prima ballerina who doesn't know if she's coming or going. We get some swearing and lots of rolling eyes.

[Pete Ferrara]

Andy!

Sounds great. We're following you from Boulder. We'll see you back at Sherpa's upon your return...first beer on me.

Best of luck & God-speed.

Pete

[Ron Strickland]

Hi Andy,

I am following your trek with great excitement. Best of luck from Ron Strickland and Tine Hartmann

[Paul Adkins]

I'll be watching your progress, I had the chance to Bike the Alaska Range with Roman and Carl back in 1996. Good luck.

[P Black]

Andrew,

Many of the folks from 77 and the Troops around Chelmsford are following your postings with great interest. All are rooting for you; and some worrywarts like myself will be monitoring your progress over the next several weeks with great anxiety. We wish you good weather, clean water and clear trails.

Phil

[Levinson-Axelrod]

This is great inspiration. Enjoyed reading about your adventure and all of your travel accomplishments. Good luck on future trips.

[renaissance costume]

Wow.. This is a milestone. Wish you all the best.! You can do it!

[Jolson11k]

Andrew-
The scale of this expedition is staggering. Congratulations on completing Leg 1. Good luck on Leg 2. I'll stay glued to your Blogs and Tweets from my slightly warmer home in Calgary, AB.

Cheers
Joe

[Mike Clelland]

Right ON!

And way to go with the skis! Forrest McCarthy told me about his sell job on the leather boots and long skinny skis. That is the way to go.

Enjoy the rest of the trip!

peace from idaho,
Mike C!

[Paul Langhals]

Mr. skurka, You are a true inspiration to a great deal of fellow adventurers. Thank you for the e-mail update. Good luck, stay safe. Paul