Recommended Books & Gear

55 Ways to the Wilderness in Southcentral Alaska

By Helen Nienhueser & John Wolfe Jr.

I like this one a lot because it has the feel of real hikers doing their thing. The authors' love of this region shows through on every page. This is probably the book most used by residents of Alaska.

Hiking Alaska: A Falcon Guide

By Mollie Foster

This is my favorite as it is the most inclusive. For the shear number of hikes, including their associated elevation grids, it can't be beat. There is a chart in front that is very handy for helping you to narrow your choices.

Best Easy Day Hikes Anchorage

By John Tyson

Like the title says, this book is a great listing of easy day hikes in the Anchorage area. It covers all the popular hikes you would expect, and includes a detailed map for each.

Naturalist's Guide to Chugach State Park

By Jenny Zimmerman

I consider this book a classic. A very well written nature guide for Chugach State Park.

Kahtoola Microspikes

These are indespensible for hiking in the winter, and grip well on almost any surface.

Katadyn BeFree Water Filter

This water bottle has a built in filter, making it super fast and convenient to get clean, safe drinking water from just about any source.

Altra Lone Peak RSM (Rain/Snow/Mud)

Altra makes some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. While not fully waterproof, they are highly water resistent, and drain well if you do get the insides wet. There's also a high-top model available, if you prefer more ankle support.

Injinji Socks

Yes, the toe sock thing is a little weird. But once you get used to it, these are some of the most comfortable socks I've ever worn, and rarely have any problems with my feet, blisters, etc.

Ultimate Direction Fastpack 35

This is a great mid-size pack for full day outings, or even overnight if you like to travel light. I really like the pockets up front for quick access to things like bear spray, snacks, map, etc.