My wildest and boldest adventure of 2025 began this September, into the Last Frontier, drawn by its wilderness.
The first impression of Alaska
The Alaska Railroad tracks run quietly alongside the highway. The light rain dotted the windshield, golden birch tress against snow-capped mountains lining the road, stretching out beyond the ocean under a clouded sky. As my eyes lingered on the distant glaciers, half-veiled by mist, a sense of awe filled me. There was nothing out there, only a profound call to the pioneer soul within me to be and explore this land.
I arrived in Seward, Alaska, late afternoon on September 11. It is a quiet town where mountains, oceans and glaciers meet, with very few tourists after the summer season. I stayed at a rustic and dry cabin called Rocket House, tucked in the trees by the beach, catching my first glimpse of Alaska from darkness to dawn. My eyes were always searching for the cutest sea otters nearby.
About the sea journey
Due to the weather, I took a boat to explore Resurrection Bay instead of hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park. Alaska’s waters are filled with diverse marine residents, full of surprises at every turn. I spotted a bald eagle perched on a dead branch above, few puffins scuttling on the sea below, with mist weaving through the mountains.
Then I ventured even farther into the middle of nowhere, the strong wind blowing against my face as I waited for a special moment to arrive. The orca gracefully sliced through the water, its powerful breath echoing across the bay like a deep and resonant call. Gradually, more incredible orcas approached, putting on a stunning show of acrobatics. Wow! I also spotted a mountain goat high in the mountains, but it vanished swiftly.
I continued on to Palmer, Alaska, as the rain and gloomy gray sky lingered.
My Insane Glacier Paddle Boarding Adventure
On September 13, I embarked on an incredible glacier paddleboarding adventure with Alaska Helicopter Tours. Soaring thousands of feet above the vast Alsakan mountain ranges, I gazed down at the vibrant yellow colors stretching across the land. The pilot dropped me onto one of the most pristine glaciers I’ve ever set foot on.
I hiked across jagged ice that stretched as far as my eyes can see, explored a raw glacier cave, touched the fresh glacier water, and glided on a paddleboard through shimmering turquoise pools framed by towering ice formations and awe-inspiring mountains. Fueled by boldness and a wild spirit, I jumped into the icy blue glacier water. Even wearing a dry suit, the cold was shocking, my hands went numb as I swam through the freezing water. It was a proof that everything really is exceptionally cooler in Alaska. Ah! I spotted a black bear from the helicopter when I returned, its hulking frames still small against the long sweep of tundra and mountain.
September in Alaska, my favorite time of the year, the air is cool and crisp. I chased every kind of weather imaginable there. The sunrise bathed the mountains in a soft golden light in the distance; the thick fog drifted peacefully over the lake; the winding mountain roads transformed the already wild and rugged stretch of Hatcher Pass into a dreamlike scene.
An Epic Adventure: Denali
I headed to interior Alaska, where the tundra stretched endlessly and the wild heart of the Last Frontier revealed itself.
My adventurous spirit pushed me to take a once in a lifetime high-altitude flight in Talkeetna, Alaska on September 14. Soaring up to 21,000 feet, I witnessed the summit of North America’s tallest mountain (Mt. McKinley), a remarkable chapter in my adventure book.
Behind the scenes: This summit tour requires four passengers minimum with good weather. Before I arrived in Alaska, no one had signed up for the tour despite my repeated inquiries. Fortunately, on the day when I was in Talkeetna, there were four people finally registered. However, I had to wait until 4:00 pm local time for the weather to cooperate. Thanks to people and weather cooperating, I was able to make it. As the pilot said, “It is your lucky day!” Indeed, it was.
During the flight, I needed to wear an oxygen mask. As we climbed higher, the scenery shifted from the golden hues of autumn gleaming across winding river valleys to the towering peaks of the Alaska Range, where a profound stillness rest beneath heavy blankets of snow. It was almost too magnificent to be real, beyond words.
Like a pioneer, I stepped off the plane and onto the glacier aid towering mountains, fearless. I was transported into an all-white world, crisp air filling my lungs, silence echoing around me. I laid fresh tracks in the untouched snow, so deep that each step felt like a challenge. I could feel how difficult an expedition to climb these mountains, they must brave the cold, the harsh conditions, the altitude and the isolation. (If you’re planning to travel to Alaska, please add it to your bucket list, I highly recommend taking this summit tour, it is truly worth every penny and wait, it is a MUST!)
Road trips aren’t measured just by mile markers, but also by memorable moments. Denali has so much more in store, waiting for me to discover. On the road to Healy, Alaska, near Denali National Park. Wow! A big rainbow broke through the storm in the distance, casting a soft and glowing light over the snowcapped peaks and wild landscape. The wind whipped around me as the clouds turned orange over the mountains. In the middle of nowhere, I felt as if I had touched freedom itself. Ah! I saw a moose passing by as I searched for my cabin in the dark.
Did you know? After mid-September, you can drive up to 30 miles into the Denali wilderness with your private vehicle. It is a rare opportunity to encounter amazing wildlife without booking an expensive guided tour. I seized the chance to venture deep into the wild and explore on my own.
The wild adventure began. The heavy fog blurred my vision early morning, forcing me to drive slowly and cautiously through the wilderness. Unexpectedly, I encountered three huge male grizzly bears strolling along the road, an incredible up-close moment I’ll never forget. With powerful muscles bulging beneath their thick brown coast, the bears moved with raw strength and surprising agility.
From a safe distance, I watched every detail: how they dug and foraged for food in preparation for hibernation, and even their sudden bursts of flighting. Wow! All unfolding right before my eyes.
Thank you, Denali! Such as wonderful place that creates amazing adventures together! Filled with joy, I was heading to my next destination: Fairbanks, Alaska, to chase the aurora before the first snowfall.
A breathtaking drive through the Grand Alaska loop
A pioneer soul wandering deep into the wild, more than 100 miles between tiny towns, with no gas stations, no cell signals, and almost no people or cars, only surrounded by jaw-dropping mountains and a vibrant tapestry of autumn colors.
I drove 363 miles from bustling Fairbank to the picturesque seaside town of Valdez, witnessed from the stunning rivers that carved through the landscape to the thunderous majesty of waterfalls cascading from the cliffs, every turn revealed a new wonder. Sometimes, I lost track of where I was amid the vast remoteness, reminding me how incredibly small I am in the wild tundra.
I ventured into Thompson Pass, at 2,805 feet elevation that stretches 82.5 miles, winding through rugged peaks and showcasing some of Alaska’s most awe-inspiring terrain. It quickly became one of my favorite scenic drives in the state.
We see the world together at Valdez, AK
I was awakened by the rhythmic sound of rain, echoing through the mountains at Valdez.
Rivers speak in the low murmur of salmon beneath the surface, and the wind moves through it all like a hand turning pages. I encountered another vivid wildlife at the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery, outside the town of Valdez. Dozens of massive sea lions were in the water, searching for delicious salmon. Some swam by with fish clenched in their mouths, while others surfaced with deep, echoing calls that carried across the bay. I stood there, letting the rain soak through me, fully present in the wildness.
(Fun fact: Sea lions and seals may look similar, but a key difference is that sea lions have external ear flaps, while seals do not.)
Where the land ends, another incredible adventure begins
Taking on a long drive back to Anchorage and then headed to Homer (total 552 miles), I realized that my greatest adventures are always those where the journey isn’t mapped out. I believe the best way to explore Alaska deeply is by car, plane, boat and on foot. I am glad I did it all.
Alaska never ceases to amaze me. With no roads leading there and surrounded entirely by water, this uniquely wild place feels like a majestic playground waiting to be explored. As I embarked on this incredible adventure – traveling by boat from Homer to Macdonald Spit, just outside of Seldovia, I was greeted by the cutest sea otter family in the distance, putting on a fantastic show just for me.
One of the most magical moments was spotting the sweetest neighbors: sea otters floating by in Kasitsna Bay, right outside my pioneer cabin. Like an excited kid, I paddled after them across the glassy and calm water. The otters were curious and playful by nature, shimmered with wet fur and faces peeking up with intelligent eyes. I saw them up-close: rolling, diving, swimming and surfacing with gentle breaths. It felt like they were inviting me into their secrete world. Magic!
It is about an adventure of extremes
What I experienced in Alaska felt like living inside a real-life nature documentary – 13 days and 2,421 miles of adventure. Alaska is not just a state; it is a journey of extremes.
Hey, Alaska: you are far away, a 6 hour and 45-minute flight from home. You are vast, remote and rugged, with stretches of more than a hundred miles between towns. You are breathtaking, painted in magical colors and offering endless adventures far beyond my all imagination and expectations.
You are wild and untamed, alive with amazing wildlife and raw beauty. You reveal some of the most beautiful parts of the world. You awaken the pioneer spirit in me, daring me to witness your wonders, embrace your extremes, and above all, fall in love with you!
STEPHY 