One of the most common questions we receive is about what to wear for backpacking trips or glacier hikes. These suggestions are with Alaska’s summer weather in mind, but can be useful when packing for any outdoor adventure. Weather Here’s the thing about Alaskan weather: it varies immensely, is incredibly unpredictable, and the forecast is never accurate. Often when you look at the weather forecast you are looking at a weather station miles away from your destination. Not only that, it can be foggy and rainy at MICA Guides when Sheep Mountain Air has blue skies less than 10 miles down the roa ..read more

You’ve made the first big step and booked a trek (perhaps a glacier tour with our friends on the Matanuska Glacier)! Now you have loads of questions about what you have gotten yourself into! One of the biggest hurdles for people getting into the outdoors is that they don’t know what to expect. Everything always seems to be high stakes once you involve the outdoors. Exposure Alaska prides itself on teaching the skills and knowledge needed to feel comfortable in the outdoors. It’s easy to forget that everyone needs to start somewhere, so we hope you feel comfortable coming to us with all yo ..read more

Fall in Alaska: The Sound of Silence As soon as the tips of the trees start to change color and the air becomes noticeably thinner, the crowds that frequent trails and glacier edges in Alaska start to thin out as well. Once the change of seasons begins it cues many animals, including humans, to start their migrations back to winter grounds. This opens up way more space than the summer months for folks to explore the “Last Frontier” and experience some of the most popular places in a more intimate setting. The Abundance of Alaska Taking to the trails or hopping on an end of season guided tou ..read more

The Color Blue In the parts of the world where snow relentlessly falls over mountains and valleys, glaciers become the keepers of water. Starting as the accumulated heaviness of winters dark storm clouds, finding it’s way to the Earth by frozen droplets of water, snowflakes. The tension of water that the clouds can only hold for so long, until it becomes to heavy. A form of nature breathing. Release Sheets of snow cover mountains, that at some point will have to release the weight of accumulated snow to the valleys and basins below. Here is where snow will experience states of melting and fr ..read more

Seeing Alaska by Helicopter Alaska is known for the jaw dropping views and experiences accessible to visitors and locals alike. Not long after reaching Alaska does one start to feel the burn and desire to reach the sights that fill a person with a deep sense of awe and connection. There are many ways that folks find their way to the “gems” of Alaska’s landscapes. Exploring Views Some companies offer creative and exciting ways to get high up into the alpine for epic views. Sheep Mountain, offers an ATV tour that takes you to the top of Gunsight Mountain. From this peak you can view the whole M ..read more

Songs of a Glacier When you think of music, what comes to mind? Some might think of orchestras, or their favorite radio tune, or maybe that jingle from a commercial that gets stuck in your head for way too long. But what about nature’s songs? The migrating song birds calling, storms rolling in and cracking with thunder, whispers from the wind, the rhythm of rushing creeks rising with the spring melt seasons. Music is everywhere, even on a glacier. Symphony on the Matanuska You can see the Matanuska Glacier from miles away as you make your way into the valley. To hear the tones and mel ..read more

An Alaska Family Vacation When you think of a family vacation what comes to mind? Maybe it’s your bucket list and dreams you talk about around the dinner table. Or, it might be the stereotypes of miserable family vacations with too much time together and not a whole lot of stimulation. Either way you roll, you deserve a getaway filled with connection and adventure. So, we curated a list of our favorite family things to do while in Alaska. From the glaciers to the mountains, follow us along for a family vacation you have always dreamed of. For the Family on the Go A glacier guide explai ..read more

Snowshoeing in Alaska is a great way to saunter through breathtaking landscapes. It is a great activity for groups or individuals. This winter sport offers a space for outdoor social gatherings. Simultaneously, you can enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with a traverse across a field of freshly fallen snow. This sport is inexpensive and doesn’t require too much skill to navigate. Snow shoes are specialized to help you save energy, all while enjoying the beautiful snowfalls that happen in Alaska. Getting Started Snowshoeing doesn’t take too much gear or expense to enjoy. Head to the second ha ..read more

Solo Journey Across Alaska Traveling to a new place can be both daunting and exciting. Especially when it comes to the expansive lands of Alaska. With so much to do and places to see, this guide to solo traveling in Alaska aims to offer you more tips and tricks to a successful journey. Independently traveling through Alaska could be just the experience you are looking for. Independence in Alaska There are many sides to traveling on your own. Some perks are being able to customize your itinerary to your likes and ideas. And, have it be as flexible or structured as you’d like. You’ll have chan ..read more

Strength in the Outdoors Pre-run Am I strong enough? This is a question most outdoors people have asked themselves at some point when planning an adventure. Especially when planning an adventure with someone you know to be a machine. Tomorrow I’m going on a 10 mile run with 4,000 ft. elevation gain, no trail and lots of bushwhacking in the Alaskan backcountry with my boyfriend. He is someone who has well earned the title of “machine”. I want nothing more than to not care about keeping up and just enjoy the run for myself. However, I can’t seem to get the vision of me, panting, hurting, and slo ..read more