Chilkoot Trail, Alaska / Canada

Do you live near any hills? If so …

Not to minimize 3000', but if you are fit, and go slow, you will do fine.

Advice ? – If the Feed is still an option at Bennett, don't get too carried away with the "all you can eat" offer. Save room for the pie.

I did that trip about 12 years ago with a Mountaineer group. The leader decided to take 6 days to do it, so we only went about 6-7 miles a day with the train ride back. The scenery was fabulous. I didn't want it to end.

I had the same SD clip flashlight tent you have. If I'd known what I do now about lightweight gear I would have used a much lighter tent and pack. I think my total weight was 35 lb. Ugh. And I had the lightest pack! The route is mostly trail, so you don't really need heavy-duty boots. The day we went up the pass wasn't difficult, either. But I do a lot of hikes and scrambles that involve as much or more gain on a routine basis.

My one recommendation is not to stay at the hostel in Skagway if it still has the same owners. The woman was shockingly rude and unpleasant and acted as if she resented everyone. No idea why. We called it the hostile hostel. Go for the campground. Her brother Dyea Dave drove the shuttle from Skagway to the actual trailhead, and he was great.

Have a great trip and be sure to post a trip report.