backpacking Archives | LotsaSmiles Photography

Backpacking Alaska – Returning Home

January 10, 2018January 9, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

As we were turning around at the Johnson River to head back to the lodge and our pick-up spot, our early pilot spotted us and touched down in the soft sand. Good news: we didn't have to hike anymore. Bad news: that sand was really soft. So much so that the…

Backpacking Alaska – Day 5: Bears

January 3, 2018January 2, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Ordinarily, this post would be for my monthly photo challenge, but that didn't seem too popular, so I'm tabling that for now. Perhaps I'll revive that sometime later. In the meantime, you get more bears! In fact, this is the last daily installment of my grand backpacking adventure through the…

Backpacking Alaska – Day 4: Rain

December 27, 2017December 26, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Day 4 of our backpacking bear adventure was a bit damp. We woke to moisture on the tents, and we really couldn't avoid packing up wet gear. The tides once more amazed me. While I had been brushing my teeth fairly close to camp the night before, the morning routine required…

Backpacking Alaska – Day 3: The Red River

December 13, 2017December 26, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Day 3 was all about the Red River. This was our major obstacle. We knew it was coming, and we knew it would pose a challenge. I'm told when our fearless leader divulged our planned course to a bush plane pilot, his first question was, "do you have a floatation…

Backpacking Alaska – Day 3: Wind

November 29, 2017November 27, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

The second night came and went in a blink of exhaustion. Crawling out of my tent, I found some of our crew were already down on the beach. They'd spotted a bear out clamming in the receding morning tide. This was my first real opportunity for shooting the bears we…

Backpacking Alaska – Day 2: Rocks

November 15, 2017November 9, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Day 1 was all about distance. But that turned out being a good thing, because Day 2 rocked. And sadly, that wasn't a good thing. We woke on Day 2 to find moisture on our tents and moose tracks feet from our camp. It was fortunate we were so tired;…

Backpacking Alaska – Day 1: Distance

November 8, 2017November 5, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Who's ready for backpacking adventures? I know I've been promising them for a long time, and you've had a taste here and there, but I'm finally getting into the heart of my epic adventure into the Alaskan wilderness. I appreciate your patience. It was truly a remarkable journey, and I'm…

Alaska: My First Bush Plane Flight

October 25, 2017October 21, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Apologies for the hiatus! I know I took a little break from the Alaska posts, but they're back! Right from the start, I knew a flight in a bush plane was on the itinerary for Alaska. Much of the Alaskan wilderness is completely wild. No roads or modern conveniences. Completely…

Preview: Alaska

September 6, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Alright, everyone! I know you've all been anxious for bears, so I'm finally getting to processing pictures from Alaska! (more…)

I Survived the Alaskan Wilderness!

July 12, 2017October 10, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Apologies for the short post this week, but I am operating on very little sleep (about three hours) having just returned on a delayed red-eye. I'm working to get back to my day-to-day life following one of the most amazing trips of my life, but it'll take a little time.…

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