One of them, Daniel Doan, is the author of this story of their week-long adventure. The other, Dr. Claud Sharps, a Laconia veterinarian, was Doan's old friend and hiking companion from childhood. Our Last Backpack recounts in lyrical but direct prose their encounters along the trail, Doan's growing awareness of his own physical limitations, and the clash of cultures between two old-fashioned mountain men and the new age of -backpacking.- This book is also a beautiful testament to a deep and abiding friendship between two utterly different personalities who shared a profound love of the...

One of the last great wildernesses in the world and a backpacker's paradise, Alaska is also a land of extremes. Before you head out to this last frontier, there are some important things to know: how to prepare and plan for your trip, how to decide where to go, and how to safely make the most of the experience. The guide contains information on: map and compass skills; cross-country travel techniques; leave no trace camping practices; stream crossings; bear encounters; and tips on finding edible plants, locating salmon runs, and interpreting animal signs