Frequently Asked Alaska Travel and Moving Questions
Moving to Alaska
Over the years we have been asked many times about Alaska Travel and Moving FAQ article and thought we would share some of our updated knowledge since things can change.
Driving through Canada is still popular and if you can manage your gas consumption and cut costs by camping or sleeping in your car costs will drop allot. The time of year is greatly important because if you are too cold you will need a hotel room. Everything costs more along the road so buy food, water, or other caning goods at lower costs in the lower 48 first.
Upack shipping containers are currently one of the cheapest ways to get household goods from the lower 48 states into Alaska.
Shipping automobiles via Lyndon Transport out of the Seattle port will run you around $2300 in 2021.
The Alaska Ferry or marine highway is still useful but can be expensive. Make sure if your taking an Automobile to consider the length of the vehicle due to cost, and stuff it full of things that are expensive or hard to find in Alaska. $5000 for a small CRV/SUV is not unusual if going to Wittier Alaska. Here is the link for the Alaska Marine Highway.
Driving a truck and trailer can be more cost-effective if going to the interior or Anchorage area. We have done this before using trailers and U-Hal when we need to bring in large items or bulk items that are hard to find in Alaska. South East Alaska you would need the Alaska Ferry system but might be able to cut some costs if driving into Canada and the Yukon Territory and then down to Skagway. You can then take a short ferry ride to Juneau. If closer to Washington state is your destination then consider going out of Bellingham Washington and take the Alaska Marine Highway but be sure to save up for the extra costs.
If you’re taking the Marine Highway to Wittier you can then drive off the ferry to Anchorage or take the train from Wittier to Anchorage, Denali, or Fairbanks.
Mount Denali
Traveling Alaska
Alaska Travel and Moving FAQ
Traveling to Alaska right now in 2021 is very simple, and does not slow me or others down much. When you arrive you currently do need to show proof of a negative covid test or get tested at the airport when you arrive. The test needs to be within three days currently. I have personally done the test several times and it is a short nasal swab without any discomfort at all. Once you in Alaska there shouldn’t be any testing between airports as you go along. If your driving along the highways inside interior Alaska you should be good for the 2021 summer session. Please keep in mind, that the State of Alaska has no mask mandate but on federal land or buildings, you are required to wear one. So keep this in mind if you’re travel or moving to Alaska.
In my own observation outside of Juneau people don’t seem to be wearing masks much and outside it’s very limited. Flights have continued internationally for the state and there does not seem to be any illness issues of any kind and that includes the seasonal flu. People do spend time outdoors in Alaska and I’m sure that has also helped.
Click links for Alaska Guides or Articles
This article and a combination of photographs, videos, and articles about Alaska, covering everything from travel adventures to moving and using the Alaska marine highway.
Juneau Alaska Downtown.
Downtown walking tour of Juneau
Juneau Alaska 4th of July Parade
Take the Juneau Alaska Mt Roberts Tram to the top of the mountain.
Juneau Alaska – This is a common destination for people who take the larger cruise ships out of the lower 48 United States and Canada. The town has a historic downtown district and a tramway from the dock to the top of Juneau’s mountains for a spectacular view. Below is a walking tour of downtown Juneau, and along the docks. Make to like, and subscribe to our youtube channel so you can keep up with our latest Alaskan content.
Welcome to Denali National Park
Denali National Park and Preserve In Alaska – Denali State Park Alaska is a small piece of Alaskan paradise. Its tallest peak is Denali or in the past called Mt.McKinley. Mt. McKinley is revered by the Tanaina Indians. “Kesugi” is an Indian word in the Tanaina dialect that means “The Ancient One.” It is interesting that Denali in the Tanana dialect means “The High One.” Denali is the original name for Mt. McKinley. Mt. McKinley is 20,320 feet high and is the highest mountain peak in North America.
Whittier Alaska Port
Whittier Alaska – Whittier Alaska is the Gateway to the Prince William Sound, an area that services cruise ships of those wanting to go into Anchorage. Anchorage is about 65 miles north of Whitter, and the last 65 miles can be done by motorcoach, train, or rental car. Those wishing to drive to Anchorage are able to complete the trip in daylight, as the summer days are 22 hours long. These 65 miles go through a mountain serviced by a tunnel that provides basic service at best.
Alaska Hiking
My Alaska Hiking Blog of the Far North – Today we thought we should add to our Alaska Hiking Blog feature here at ExploreTraveler. These days we are in the interior of Alaska and spring breakup is now upon us. As you can see some of the smaller lakes are starting to un-freeze but others are still very much frozen. So far this spring we have decided to hit out on the trails that start on the land owned by the University of Alaska. We like t get started early in the morning and begin hiking deep into the easy trails first and this keeps going until we run out of time. I have added German translations to help our visitors from Europe to find this article and ease of information sharing.
Ketchikan, Southeastern Alaska USA
Alaska Marine Highway Adventure – The Alaska Marine Highway has to be one of our favorite adventures and one we have done several times. It connects into the Alaska State highway system, and railways giving you plenty of adventure all along the way. The distance, territories, and places one can see will boggle the mind. This article is meant to be a guide, and a motivational piece to get you the reader out of your house or apartment and on an adventure that does not have to be high cost unless you want it to be.
Winter Adventures In Alaska USA – Who doesn’t know about the North Pole and all the stories about Santa Claus? But what most do not realize is that there is a town in Alaska, where this Santa is believed to be at work. Here he is said to live year-round. He is always busy in his workshop making people happy. Here, joy fills the air no matter what time of year, but especially during the winter. Regardless, of you believe in the man with the jolly red suit or not, you can not escape the joy that is in the air as winter approaches. North Pole, Alaska is the home of wintertime delight, astonishing creativity, and county charm.
Skagway Alaska
Skagway Alaska Gateway To The North – Welcome to Skagway Alaska, the gateway to the Klondike and beyond. Skagway is yesterday alive and well! In Skagway, you will hear the old honky-tonk pianos and the cries of the prospectors. Gold has been found! Nothing much has changed in Skagway, Alaska;
Petersburg Alaska
Exploring Petersburg Alaska – Petersburg may be a small, quaint, fishing village, but this small village settled by Norwegians, is a bundle of a big adventure. Here in this isolated village, you will see the built-in work ethic of the Scandinavian people. Norwegians built it to resemble Norway, to bring a piece of home to their new Alaskan life. It is a thriving fishing village that is still successful. Not much has changed over the years. In Petersburg, we see what was, what is, and what will be.
Here is our Alaska Video Playlist
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Juneau Alaska Tram To Mt Roberts - Southwest Alaska - ExploreTraveler
Juneau Alaska 4th of July Parade - South East Alaska - ExploreTraveler
Juneau Alaska Downtown Walking Tour | Juneau Alaska Excursions
Denali National Park and Preserve Alaska Photo Tour - ExploreTraveler
South East Alaska travel via Alaska Marine Highway - ExploreTraveler
Black Bear Gnaws on Delta 15s Seakayak in Berg Bay, Alaska
Hidden Alaska | National Geographic
SEE THE WORLD 2: ALASKA
Alaska Highway Motorhome Tour August 2016
A Trip To Our Remote Alaska Cabin - Spring Time
Self Guided Alaskan Moose Hunting / Kent Kaiser Alaska
Combat fishing on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula
Dick Proenneke in Alone in the Wilderness
Talkeetna, Alaska!
Alaska Dog Sledding On Top Of A Glacier (Short Film)
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It’s important to plan and this Alaska Travel and Moving FAQ will help you get a head start. We welcome comments of other information that should be added and we plan on building this up and adding additional articles linked to assist people wanting information, photos, and videos of a certain area.
If you’re new in the camping world, or you haven’t really tried backpacking and camping in the wild, you might find yourself, well, not that prepared. And when you’re in the wild, the last thing you want to be is unprepared. You’ll need answers to a lot of questions. Do you need a permit? Where should you go? What kind of gear to bring?
Well, we’re here to help, by answering those questions, and then some. Backpacking in the wild should be an activity you enjoy, not one you’re afraid of, so let’s take a look at a few tips that will make that adventure easier, and more fun.
Bring the Right Gear
One of the worst mistakes you can make when you’re going out on a backpacking trip is to bring the wrong gear. Should you take a sleeping bag for hammock, or one that’s supposed to be laid down on the ground? What type of tent will make your trip enjoyable instead of a nightmare? It’s not easy to choose and pack the right gear but it is essential for a great trip so let’s take a look at some advice on preparing.
A packing list is essential here, and you should start with the obvious – a properly fitting backpack. This means that weight distribution will be even, you’ll have no issues with comfort, and you will get plenty of pockets and compartments for all your things. Then, you should consider the right tent. It does depend on what kind of environment you’re going to camp in, but whichever one you go for, make sure it’s lightweight, durable, weather-resistant, and easy to put up and pack. Last but not least, the right sleeping pad and bag are usually chosen according to the weather you’re camping in, but if you can afford it, don’t skimp here.
While we’re talking gear, another essential is a headlamp. Put it in an accessible place of your backpack, and try to find one with variable dimming and an adjustable band. A backpacking stove and fuel for it is an easy way to prepare food, so consider this, too.
A thing to keep in mind with packing is that it’s always smart to begin doing it early. This will give you enough time to buy the things you don’t have, or find a person to borrow them from. If you’ve got plenty of time for planning, you can even wait for a sale and get the things you need at a more affordable price!
Be Physically Prepared
There is no way around it, backpacking is a physically intense activity. Similar to hiking, you need to cover a certain distance and still be able to set things up when you get to your destination. And for this reason, the first thing to note is that you shouldn’t pick a trail that’s too challenging for you. Of course, nobody knows how well-prepared you are except for you, but it’s better to underestimate yourself than overestimate yourself, and your body.
If you already have a workout routine, try to implement some gentle stretches and simple mobility exercises into it. This will allow your body to not feel like you’re out of shape the moment you set foot on the trails. One thing to keep in mind here is that you should listen to your body carefully, and keep track of any pain. This will be an indicator that you’re pushing too hard, or that you should actually call it a day. In any case, it’s good to stay mobile – anything that gets you moving is a good start.
Another common thing that might happen is you feeling out of breath rather early, This has to do with your lung capacity, or how much air your lungs can hold. Over time, that will decrease as you age, and it might surprise you when you’re backpacking. If you want to deal with this, it’s a good idea to do breathing exercises that will help you improve your lung capacity.
Plan Your Backpacking Trip
The last thing you want to do before you actually head out on your trip is to plan it out properly. You should do this early on, and take your time with it. The reason is simple – having enough time will allow you to choose the right destination, pick suitable dates, and still have enough time to get the right gear and prepare yourself physically.
Pick your dates, first. Choosing a date will “limit you”, but in a good way, because it’s going to narrow down the options of where you can go, due to the weather. When you’re starting out, you shouldn’t go for more than one or two nights. This will allow you to get a bit of experience before you do anything serious. When you’ve chosen a date that works for you, see whether or not the places you want to visit are actually good during those dates. Something to keep in mind is that backpacking during cold months is something best done if you’re experienced. And also, early summer might mean that the trails aren’t cleared completely from the winter storms, so make sure you check the trail conditions. While we’re at it …
Pick the trail you want to go for example like colorado backpacking. As we mentioned, it’s better to underestimate yourself, than pick a trail that’s too difficult. A good rule of thumb would be to go for a shorter trail, so no more than five to six miles of hiking per day, and one that’s close to home. Things you should avoid include a lot of elevation gain, technical obstacles you need to cross, and trails that aren’t well marked. When picking the trail, you definitely want to play things safe. Go for one that’s well marked, that has fairly flat surfaces, and of course, good places to set up camp.
When you’re choosing the trail, you should keep in mind that some areas, such as national parks or popular trails, might require you to get a permit. It’s something that many backpackers seem to overlook, experienced or not, but you should definitely get one. Note that some trails might require you to reserve a permit, months in advance, which means that you should have a backup location in mind, just in case you don’t get a chance to get a permit.
The last part of planning is, of course, your transportation. There are a few factors that impact this, for example, the type of trail you’ll be doing, whether you’re going solo or with a group, and where the trailhead is. If you’re a beginner, for example, and you’re going on a loop trail, or an out-and-back backpacking trip, you won’t need an extra person. But if you’re going to hike from one point to another, you should either leave a car at the end of your trail or have someone pick you up when you’re done. Or, if that’s a possibility, you could consider a shuttle, too.
Wrapping Things Up- Is it a Good Idea?
Well, to be honest, even if you haven’t done it before, backpacking in the wild is definitely a good idea for people who feel adventurous and want to explore the wilderness. Sure, at first, it might seem a bit scary. You might even feel like you’re biting off more than you can chew. But that’s why we’ve got all these tips for you.
As we mentioned, having a good idea of what kind of gear to bring, being physically prepared for the trip, and planning things out well are the main things you should cover. And if you do a good job with them, trust us, your backpacking adventure will be a lot easier and smoother than you think, even if it’s your first time. All you have to do is take things slow, prepare well, and don’t take on challenges you aren’t sure about.
