Basically, I'm 17 (in two days) and I love the outdoors so I signed up for a trip to Alaska this past summer. The trip was from 7/9-8/7 and it was the best time of my life so far. AMA!

Proof: http://imgur.com/a/xkdyp

Comments: 54 • Responses: 21  • Date: 

aglowa6 karma

Bears? But seriously, what was it like? Memories?

mahic8 karma

It was awesome! A great bonding experience with lots of challenges along the way. I saw several bears while there. There was an incident where an instructor woke us up and told us to get out & ready for the day. About 5 minutes later he said never mind stay inside, there's a bear. We don't believe him at first but then we look outside and see it not to far from us. Eventually, we have to get out and start going even though the bear was still there. After some time it left but for some time there I pretty scared. BTW, bears run really fast. I was told this before but it didn't really click until I saw it.

Gggg_high5 karma

Did you go to the bus in Denali Park?

mahic4 karma

Nope, but we did read Into The Wild.

LivingInTheVoid3 karma

How did you afford all of your gear?

mahic3 karma

My parents paid for most it, which I am extremely grateful for.

MrWeb203 karma

What was the daylight/night situation like for you? How many hours of light did you have that time of year? Was it difficult to adjust?

mahic4 karma

It was pretty much light the entire time I was awake except for the last few days.

BrightShark943 karma

1.) How much money were the expenses? 2.) Did you see any moose? (In my best Sarah Palin voice)

mahic5 karma

  1. About $6k all together
  2. Yes, and one time we saw a baby moose. I was terrified the mother would come out and get aggressive. I also saw Russia from my tent.

thelastrush3 karma

NOLS?

mahic2 karma

Nope, Adventure Treks.

boing7572 karma

How did you pay for your trip?

mahic1 karma

My parents paid for most of it.

JimsanityOSB1 karma

What is your favorite kind of bird?

mahic1 karma

The Amurican Bird

penfield1 karma

How was the food??

mahic1 karma

Pretty good considering.

MrBettsyBoy1 karma

Were some of these photos shot on a disposable camera or were they edited? This is a trip that I've always wanted to do, but do it more primitively.

mahic1 karma

Yeah, I only had disposable cameras. The good pictures were taken by other group members.

jman42201 karma

How much experience did you have prior to the adventure with that type of weather and terrain?

mahic2 karma

The only experience really comparable to that would have my three weeks in NoCal the summer before that. However I do go backpacking and such on a regular basis.

Ermagawdferret1 karma

How did you get involved with the group? I'm 16 now and would love to get involved in something like that. What's the best group to join? How much, with gear and expenses, did the whole trip cost?

mahic3 karma

Well a couple years ago I was looking at some summer camp jobs for teens online. Long story short I stumbled upon this company and decided to go on the California trip. I loved it so much and wanted an even bigger challenge that I decided to go to Alaska this past summer. It was around $6k for everything all together.

MedicalCyanide1 karma

Was it with friends of your or random people? What is the most memorable memory you have from the camp? What was the camp like? What was there to do at the camp?

mahic1 karma

About half of the people I knew from my trip the year before in NoCal. Some great memories include: glacial plunge, wag bags, ice climbing in a GORE-TEX® hotdog suit and seeing some amazing wildlife. We did backpacking, ice climbing, sea kayaking and white water rafting.

_buffster_1 karma

What was the coolest/most unique animal you saw during your trip? Also, what parts of Alaska did you stay in/hike? Any favorite spots/sights to check out if I ever manage to go there (hoping too one day)?

mahic4 karma

I'd say the coolest was seals and sea otters. We we're in south central AK (PWS, Denali, Matanuska, Talkeetnas, Chugach). You should definetley check out the Talkeetnas and Denali if you can see. IIRC only 1/4 get to actually see Denali because of the weather.

divinewind19911 karma

What sort of amenities did you take? Was this a 'livin off the fat of the land' trip or a comfortable camping experience?

mahic3 karma

It wasn't living off the land. Amenities included a sleeping bad, a sleeping pad and a tent. I would say it was comfortable, but then again I'm comfortable with the bare minimum.

Skuzzle_bug2 karma

Being an Alaskan myself, tents are for pussies. Kidding, I sleep on an air mat. How many gallons of deet did you go through on your trip?

mahic3 karma

I personally only sprayed deet once. I'd rather have bites than some well, less pleasant stuff. Anyhoot I did use this herbal lotion stuff that was just as effective if not more effective than the deet.

trifecta1 karma

Did you have issues with mosquitos? They are visible from 20 feet. I hate Alaskan mosquitos.

mahic2 karma

Meh, they really weren't that bad most of the time.

JungleLegs1 karma

What did you learn on your journey?

mahic8 karma

Don't let shit get you down. When it's pouring rain and you're freezing cold get on your feet and yell "I LOVE ALASKA!"

CreamOnMyNipples1 karma

What is your favorite color?

mahic5 karma

Orange

Splitzle1 karma

What was the worst problem you faced?

mahic2 karma

Cold weather

lostmylizard1 karma

[deleted]

mahic1 karma

Nope