If you like to take outdoor activities to the extreme, Alaska is the place to be. Mountain climbing, dog sledding, kayaking, hiking, and biking are just a few of the favorite pastimes here. Alaska’s unique topographical features made it the top choice for the home of the 2015 adventure race, Expedition Alaska, which challenged teams of the fittest to make their way through a grueling 400-mile course to the finish line. Expedition Alaska was meant to test the mettle of even the hardiest adventurer.
The race itself was a week-long expedition through the beautiful yet dangerously challenging terrain of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Racers were allowed the use of maps and compasses to aid navigation along the unmarked race course, with physically demanding challenges including mountain biking, traversing glaciers, ocean and flatwater paddling, trail running, and miles of walking.
While the Expedition Alaska race isn’t currently scheduled for a rerun, you can still explore the rugged Kenai Peninsula on your own. Rustic cabins, RV parks, and campgrounds are all available as lodging options. Dipping into the Bay of Alaska just south of Anchorage, the peninsula has something for everyone, from extreme sports to simple hikes and wildlife spotting tours.
Among the many varieties of wildlife calling Kenai home are bears, coyotes, soaring bald eagles, and moose, many of which can be spotted right out in the open. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is one place where you can readily view wildlife in nature. Or, head to the Kenai River Viewing Platform for a chance to see beluga whales, seals, and numerous species of birds.
Your very own Expedition Alaska can be had year round, if you don’t mind braving the cold. Snowshoe trails and skiing are popular winter pursuits, as well as hiking snow-topped trails like the Bear Lake Winter Trail, a five-mile cross country trek that meets up with the historic Iditarod Trail. If it’s a unique and challenging brand of outdoor adventure you hear calling, head to Alaska for some of the most challenging experiences on the North American continent.
Featured Image from MissMushroom/Unsplash
