About Andrea
Whether you’re just looking for your next adventure, or you’re feeling overwhelmed with information, you’re definitely in the right place.
My mission is to help you plan adventures in Alaska like a local.
Why? Because Alaska is magical and wild and I truly believe that everyone needs to experience the empowering and beautiful opportunities this place has to offer.
Hi. It’s me, Andrea Kuuipo.
I’m an Alaska made mountain lover and an adventure addict. And I’m so glad you’re here!
I live, work, play, and harvest on the traditional homelands of the Dena’ina people. I was born and raised in Anchorage and I’m grateful to be in such a beautiful place.
I fell in love with the outdoors at an early age. But my passion for BIG adventure came as an adult.
Standing on the summit of a mountain I just climbed and waking up in my hammock to the warming sun brought so much joy and clarity to my life.
My love for nature grew every time I stepped outside and my adventures seemed to get even wilder as I traveled around the world.
So, if you have an adventurous spirit but ask yourself,
“How do I stay safe when I’m alone?”
“What kind of gear do I need?”
“Where should I go to recharge?”
“Why doesn’t anyone else ‘get it’?”
You are not alone. I’ve helped many people answer those same questions with proven tips and advice to make it easier to start living their best life outdoors.
Since you’re here right now, something tells me you are ready to turn your wanderlust dreams into reality.
No matter where you are in your journey, using this website will help you do more of the one thing you want to do: get outside and explore Alaska.
How did this blog start?
Well, in 2016, I quit my job. I was working a 9-to-5 marketing job that left me feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled. I knew something was wrong when I found myself living for the weekend.
Working a digitally connected job fueled my craving to be disconnected, and I found myself escaping to any place that lacked cell reception.
The day I quit my job was the moment that changed everything.
I planned my first solo backpacking trip and started this blog a few months into my year-long adventure as a way to share stories with my friends and family.
Eventually, this website evolved.
As I traveled around the world, I started to notice a lot of different things.
I noticed how many misconceptions there were about life in Alaska, the lack of information online, and how many people called me “brave” for being a solo female traveler.
I learned how to overcome fear, embrace failure, and build the confidence I never knew I needed.
I found myself at the end of the world on a journey that moved me closer to myself in months than the compound of everything I had experienced in my entire life.
And now I want to share everything I’ve learned with you!
So, what can you expect to see on this website?
You will find a little bit of everything. I’ve learned a lot about traveling and living my best life outdoors.
I hike. I bike. I camp. I like to challenge myself to try new things and put myself out there.
Most of what you see is about Alaska (the place I call home). You’ll find everything from national park guides to my favorite ice cream shop.
But, I love getting off the beaten path, especially in other countries. I enjoy slow travel, road trips, and making friends with locals.
By sharing my own adventures and writing helpful posts with my best tips and advice, I hope it makes it easier for you to get outside and plan your adventure to Alaska and abroad.
Before I go, I wanted to let you know that you can join my email community.
Also, I just want to thank you for being here. See you outside!
Andrea Kuuipo
Hey girl! I’m looking for new travel bloggers to be friends with. I just made my new website on August as well. Hope to be in touch with you! Followed you blog btw, hope you can check out mine 🙂
Hey Bethanny! I will definitely check it out. Where are you traveling right now? Cheers! Andrea Kuuipo
I’d love to start hiking solo and would love you to cover in a dedicated blog post how you started and tips for being comfortable doing so, as a woman. I want to be a brave woman too!
Hi Stella! I can definitely share some tips on how to start hiking alone as a woman! Thank you for the suggestion. 😀 – Andrea
I ran across your blog post while researching recent information to help me more accurately tell my own story from 1982 when I led a group of 24 students from Denver for 3 weeks in Alaska. That excursion included a ferry trip to Valdez, highway trip back to Anchorage, 38 mile hike over the Resurrection Pass Trail, 60 mile canoe trip through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, a helicopter flight to an offshore oil platform, and the final week at Denali National Park. From photos and postings it appears there are more cabins on the trail, and the original cabins either replaced or modernized a bit. When I finish researching and writing, I plan to post that excursion on Facebook.
That sounds like an amazing story to tell, Ardel!
Hello,
I am going to be in Alaska Aug 1st. I am hoping to get in a 5-6 day backpacking trip. I was hoping there is a trail Seward to Anchorage? Or anything in the Anchorage area?
Any suggestions? Thank you! Best,
Art
Hi Atrthur, You can combine a few trails from Seward to Anchorage, unfortunately some of them are not maintained and connections are missing (Iditarod National Historic Trail). I suggest a multi-day hike like Resurrection Pass.
Hallo Andrea
is it ok to park overnight at the Johnsons Pass north trailhead ?
Thomas
You can park overnight, just don’t leave any valuables in the vehicle.
I am so glad to find your website and I am solo female traveler as well. I am in my early 60’s and moved to AK about 5 yrs ago simple thinking that I want to experience the AK just for a year traveling and taking photos and go back to CA where I belong to.
However, now I fall in love with AK and it seems like I might stay here longer traveling as much as I can.
Will come back and read more about your experience.
Thanks.
Judy
That’s amazing Judy. Alaska is a special place that’s for sure!
Hello, I am looking for a peaceful solo stay somewhere possibly southeast Alaska in 2023. Does not have to be that area but for starters maybe it’s a good idea but Alaska it is. Can you help me and guide me through the process? Thank you.
Hi Vincent, Look into Ketchikan, Sitka, and Skagway to start! All of those towns are in the southeast and each are unique destinations.