I am pretty new to backpacking started last year and racked up 50 miles so far hiking around Alaska. Most overnighters since my wife can't go more then one night without a proper shower (Ideas to extend my trip help ?). We've explored a lot and had a lot of fun haven't ran into many issues so far other then some heavy packs and a ton of mud our first hike. Weeding out our packs and making them lighter now. Still need to get a scale to measure everything out.. still need to get some proper reflective guy lines and some more stakes.

Here is some pictures from our trips.












Here is a sort list of my gear:

-REI half dome 2 plus

-Highland 65L pack (Yeah I kinda got cheap there :P)

-Katadyn Pro

-Thermacell Scout mat

-Cheap-oh Sleeping bag

-MSR stove

-Merrell chameleon's

-Cheap-oh collapsible bowls

-ENO doublenest for when we want to kick back and relax



Other then that Me and my wife are 23 and been married for 2 years I work for the United States Air force as a weapons load crew member. And look forward to many years of backpacking!

Welcome aboard! That last picture is awesome!

Great pics! Nothing like living in an outdoor paradise. Your pups can carry some weight. At least their own food. Bring a large enough pot to boil 2-3 qts. at a time. Mix the boiling with cold, and you have enough for a decent sponge bath. I use a few drops of Dr. Bronners soap on a buff or bandana,away from water sources, as a fairy innocuous , if not environnmentally safe way to clean up. People wipe down with some of the packaged baby wipes, but I prefer water and a little soap. Some handi-wipes to dry off. Not the scalding hot shower your wife may want, but leaves you feeling pretty well refreshed.
Hope to see more pics and reports from your beautiful neck of the woods.