Backpacking into the remote, mountainous areas of Alaska for several days with everything you need in your pack can be the most rewarding, and most challenging part of an Exposure trip.

With stunning scenery far from roads and the crowds of people in buses and RVs, packing in is an excellent opportunity to enjoy some of the "real" Alaska. Wake up to a spectacular view enjoyed over a steaming cup of coffee. Look for wildlife out in their neighborhood. Cross glaciers and rivers. Climb mountains.

The rewards are many but must be earned. Even if you're in pretty good shape, carrying a 30-40 pound pack uphill uses muscles in ways they may not be used much back home. Most people feel it at the end of the day.

Since most of the areas we go are mountainous, backpacking in Alaska very often involves some mountaineering skills, we could be trekking across glaciers or camping in the snow at any time of year! Trails vary from well-maintained to non-existent, often established but in very poor condition in some places. You can almost always expect wet feet; from muddy trails, snowfields, or river crossings.

Campsites are usually undeveloped with no facilities. We carry everything we need in, and carry almost everything out when we leave.

While your Guide's pack will almost always be heavier, you should expect to carry all of your own gear plus a share of the group gear and food. Even for a 1 night trip, your pack will weigh 30-35 pounds. Multi-day trips and mountaineering equipment add weight and guests carry up to 50 pounds.

But fear not...

• We usually do the backpacking segment at the end of the week, after we've had a chance to evaluate the team. We plan the trip to be challenging but fun for everyone.
• We distribute some of the load according to body size and strength.
• We set a pace that everyone can handle, sometimes splitting up for part of the day.
• We'll teach you everything you need to know, including how to be surprisingly comfortable in the middle of nowhere.