On the first day of spring, the conditions on Mt. Eyak are of the "choose your own adventure" type. Different conditions dictate different types of footwear depending on your personal adventure preferences. Assuming nobody really loves cold wet feet, waterproof footwear would be the one recommended constant. There is snow from base to summit, and that snow is saturated and soggy from recent rains. This also leads to shallow post-holing even on the normally hard-packed trail. So even if your footwear is waterproof, it won't be dry for long if you're getting snow packed down over the tops. Three ways to combat this: gaiters, higher boots, snowshoes. On some sections of the trail the snow has been washed off, leaving ice and slick sections of rock. If you prefer more of a controlled hiking experience to a slip-n-slide, this is a good time to try out different types of footwear traction. Microspikes are great for steep serious climbs, while Icebugs are a good all-around option that easily transition from the slopes to the streets below. Icebugs are also on sale now for end-of-the-season upgrades and next-season  pre-gaming. Stop by Cordova Gear to get squared away for your spring hiking needs. www.cordovagear.com

One of the best things about Spring in Alaska is the longer daylight hours.  It is a good priority to get outside everyday as the light and air and body movement make for a much better outlook both mentally and physically!  Tromping around on snow shoes is easy and the views around Cordova are exceptional.  This is one we love!