Andrew Skurka – The Great Alaskan-Yukon Loop (GAYL) is a 4,500-mile wilderness adventure around the state of Alaska and the Canadian territory of Yukon that connects many of this region’s most magnificent natural features, including the Alaska Range, Wrangell’s, Lost Coast, Coast Range, Yukon River, Richardson Mountains, and finally the Brooks Range. The GAYL is not an official trail or route; it has never been completed, attempted, and possibly even conceived of until now; it is almost entirely off-trail and it crosses only about 10 roads for its entire length.

Link to source

More information:

• Backpacking Light: “Race Report: 2009 Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic,” by Andrew Skurka (Aug. 11, 2009).
• Alaska Public Radio Network (APRN): “Adventurer Plans Epic Alaska Trek” (Dec. 10, 2009).  Click on link for audio podcast, or listen below.

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