Alaska-Yukon Expedition: The Halfway Point: Should I Care?

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.

Posted June 20 from Haines, Alaska

Before I began this trip in March my friend Buzz Burrell remarked that he thought "the crux" of it was the first two weeks, when I'd be facing severe winter conditions. If I could get through that, he seemed to say, I'd be in the clear, like a rock climber who makes it through a route's toughest sequence and has easy-going thereafter. But I remember thinking, "In the clear? Are you kidding? What about skiing across the Alaska Range, or pushing through the Wrangell's early-season, or paddling across Icy and Yakutat Bays--those sections have just as much potential to put an end to my trip as he first two weeks do."

Writing this from Haines, I'm happy to report that I've made it through the first two weeks and a number of ensuing challenges. But being "halfway there" is different than "almost there," so I'm well aware that there are still ample opportunities ahead for the wheels to fall off.

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Party in Haines - Help Plan Andrew's Halfway-Point Celebration!

By Monday, Andrew Skurka will arrive in Haines, Alaska, marking the midpoint in his epic, 4,700-mile Alaska-Yukon Expedition. This means he has traveled roughly 2,350 miles—all by his own power via skis, on foot, and by packraft. Though he's trekked some 25,000 miles over his 29 years, Andrew readily admits that this has been his hardest challenge yet. We made him our Adventurer of the Year in 2007 for his 6,875-mile Great Western Loop expedition. While chatting with Andrew on the phone yesterday, he said that trek was like a walk in the park compared to his current endeavor. Luckily it's all the highs and lows have been documented in his blog posts.

Now it's your turn to get involved. Andrew has asked for us to help plan his halfway-point celebration in Haines. What should he do? Where should he eat? This guy has been in the Alaskan outback since March, he deserves to have a good time. So if you live in Haines, have been to Haines, or have a friend who can chime in, post your comments below. Let's make sure Andrew knows we're rooting for 2,350 more successful miles.

Photograph by Andrew Skurka

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Packrafting 101

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.

Posted from Cordova, Alaska

Two weeks ago I shipped my skis home and picked up my packraft, which I will carry until the very end of this expedition in October. Most people have never heard of packraft, which Wikipedia defines as "small, portable inflatable boat designed for use in all bodies of water, including technical whitewater and ocean bays and fjords." Here I'll take a few minutes to introduce readers to this critical piece of gear.

There are several major benefits for me in carrying a packraft. First, I can safely cross big rivers (e.g. the Susitna), glacier-carved fjords (like those in Glacier Bay National Park), and saltwater bays (e.g. Icy and Yakutat Bays). Second, I can utilize gravity to quickly and efficiently travel through wilderness, as opposed to hiking those same stretches—the packraft is easier on the feet, requires fewer calories, and is faster than bushwhacking along the river banks. And, third, the packraft opens up new route opportunities, because without a raft I'm very limited in how far and where I can go—I'd be boxed in by uncrossable bodies of water.

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Packrafting Adventures with Roman Dial (Video)

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.

Posted on May 28 from Cordova, Alaska

Yesterday I reached the Gulf of Alaska (Pacific Ocean) after a five-day paddle of the Copper River and some of its tributaries.  National Geographic photographer Michael Brown and his "photo assistant" (also uber Alaskan wilderness adventurer) Roman Dial joined me for the float and for the four days prior (starting on the White River just west of the Canadian border) and we were remarking how something really memorable occurred on each day.  Here's the list.

Day 1 
The first spring rainstorm caught us while we were walking along the edge of Russell Glacier. It degraded into a blizzard--30mph winds, frozen sleet, and 100-yard visibility--as we headed over 5,800-foot Chitistone Pass. Miserable conditions, but certainly memorable.

Day 2
Awoke to bluebird skies and 6" of fresh snow. Left camp late in order to let some of the snow melt off, which was important because we then traveled along a super dodgy route down the Chitistone River drainage known as The Goat Trail. Huge exposure and tremendous views, world-class stuff.

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Humbled by the Alaskan Spring

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.

The Alaskan wilderness has brought me to tears twice on this trip, both times while talking on the phone with my mother from a "safe" location where being emotional has no serious consequences.

My first tears were shed in Unalakleet, Mi 281, after enduring continuously for two weeks the brutal combination of coastal wind and Arctic cold, and the associated stress of always being just one mistake away from death. I was recently brought to tears again, on the porch of a Glenn Highway convenience store, Mi 1402, my emotions rubbed raw and thin after skiing 600 miles across the Alaska Range in the peak of variable springtime conditions.

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Spring Conditions Terminology

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.

In talking recently with my parents and friends I gather that not everyone is familiar with the lingo I've been using to describe the current springtime conditions. I'll attempt to define a few of the most important terms now.

"Variable conditions"
In the winter and summer, conditions are relatively predictable. Winter: cold temps, dry snow, frozen rivers and lakes, full snow coverage. Summer: warm, wet, open rivers and lakes, no snow. But in the spring, conditions are something in between, and changes are happening rapidly in the transition from winter to summer. A slope may be covered in snow today, but bare next week. A river that had frequent ice bridges yesterday may be completely open tomorrow. The snow may feature a supportive crust at 8 a.m. but might be the consistency of a slushie by noon.

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Andrew Answers Your Questions on Avalanches, GPS, Socks, Motivation

 
Thanks for submitting your questions last week. We sent them off to Andrew when he was in Delta Junction, Alaska. As to be expected, he came through with great answers. He also told us that he's happy to answer more, so feel free to submit new questions at the end of this post.

What's been the most intense moment of the trip?—Matt Shaw

I had a few tense moments last week after a spring snowstorm dumped almost three feet of snow up high just before I was about to ski over two steep passes. Both passes had unavoidable avalanche slopes (i.e. I had to cross slopes that are steep enough to slide) and there were avy-prone slopes above, below, and adjacent to my route. I think the conditions were safe at the time, but I learned a valuable lesson: Don't plan a high-stakes route through avalanche terrain, because when you get there the conditions might not be safe. I would have been better off planning a "safe route" with a "avy route option."

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: The Challenges of Going Solo

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.

Posted from Delta Junction, Alaska

I enjoy solo wilderness travel. I also enjoy group wilderness travel. There are pros and cons to each, but certain trips are best done solo, while others are best done by two or more individuals.

In the case of this expedition, the reason I'm doing it solo basically comes down to the question: How many people do I know who are willing and able to do this trip? Willing: have the desire. Able: have the skill, time, resources, and flexibility with job, family, and other commitments. I know of a few people who might be willing and able, but I don't know them well enough to risk the expedition on them. So I am doing it alone, which has some significant pros....

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Andrew Will Take Your Questions Now...

Adventurer Andrew Skurka has now been skiing, snowshoeing, and trekking for almost two months of his 4,700-mile expedition through Alaska and the Yukon. When he's done in October, he will have crossed through six U.S. national parks and two Canadian national parks, floated some of North America's wildest rivers, and hiked the Alaska and Brooks Ranges.

Yes, we are jealous, but we also wonder how he pulls it off?

Andrew travels ultralight with just the pack on his back, carrying all the supplies and food he will need until he reaches the next town or village. His devoted mother mails him resupply packages, including food, maps, and additional gear for the changing seasons—which is no small feat in organization and his mom definitely deserves some serious recognition her vital support.

For the past few weeks, Andrew has been in the wilderness, but he'll be back in civilization on Friday and has offered to answer any questions you might have about staging an expedition, gear secrets, packing tips, navigation pointers, or whatever. Here's your chance—post your questions below!

Alaska-Yukon Expedition: Spring in Alaska - The Good and the Bad

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.

Spring has arrived in Alaska, at least by local standards. It may have been zero degrees this morning, but at least the days are getting really long, the weather is warmer and more stable, and the snow and ice are  melting in the mid-day sun. This means the roads are getting muddy and the trails are littered with melting dog poop. Here the defining event of spring is when the rivers “break-up,” which entails violent clashing of house-sized ice chunks and destructive icejam-caused flooding.

I am looking forward to spring’s warmer weather and longer days. And I know that spring quickly leads into summer, a season that plays better to my backpacking expertise. But there are reasons for me to be nervous about spring’s arrival.

* Cold-and-wet conditions. I’d much prefer it be zero degrees and snowing than 35 degrees and raining. It’s extremely difficult to function and stay comfortable in cold, wet conditions. This will be common all spring (and again in the fall).

* Water hazards. Snowmelt must go somewhere. In Alaska it often flows on the surface of still-frozen rivers and creeks, creating “overflow,” which can be either a few inches or a few feet deep. The rivers begin opening up, too--snowbridges will be harder to come by and fords of swift, ice-cold rivers will become more common.