Bikepacking Alaska 3: Lost in Denali

Mathilde goes missing! In this episode, things quickly get out of hand as we cycle through Alaska's incredible Denali National Park, with a ranger search and rescue operation underway to find our lost group member.
The Denali Park Road has been closed past Mile 43 at East Fork since 2021 due to a huge landslide, the Pretty Rocks landslide, which has washed away a large chunk of the road. A detour around the landslide is possible on foot or by bike, and once you make it around to the far side of the landslide you have the privilege of exploring the deepest areas of the park almost entirely to yourself. We had an unforgettable experience in Denali, both good and bad, so I'm really happy to be able to share it with you.
Bikepacking or hiking in the wilderness is not to be taken lightly, as things can turn bad very quickly, so this experience was a real eye-opener for all of us. Always make sure you're fully prepared, make sure people know where you are, and ideally carry an emergency device so you can call for help if needed.
Thanks to everyone at Denali National Park who helped us through this ordeal.
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[@annanelson6830]

As an Alaskan, for the last 35 years, anyway, I appreciate your thoughtfulness in your travels. We appreciate adventure and courage, but not stupidity or failure to reasonably plan. Enjoy your adventure and thanks for sharing.❤

[@obikedog]

It's great to see people with wisdom to stop and appreciate a place after they've travelled so far to reach it instead of rushing past on a schedule! I've been to Alaska for work when I was younger and remember it feeling like another planet. The light alone does this. To see scenery like what you had all around is magical. There's nothing to do but enjoy it and give it time to really burn into the memory banks! (But thanks for also filming it for us!) So glad everyone made it out in one piece!

[@tristanrid]

Thanks for the kind words, cycle through Alaska was such an amazing experience!

[@MimiPet]

Wow, you had a bad experience there, luckily nothing bad happened to Mathilde! The landscapes you show are spectacular! 👍

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, and yes it was a very close call!

[@ParaditeRs]

Me and a friend rode our bikes past the landslide last summer. Saw 3 people total in 3 days out there lol I actually spent 5 months working there and I saw Denali once in August (on my birthday actually) 😂 That damn mountain does not want to be seen.

[@tristanrid]

Yeah we were super lucky to see as much of Denali as we did, which was everything except the very tip of the tallest peak, which remained stubbornly shrouded in cloud. Such a special mountain, and such a special place!

[@canica99]

Thank you so much for these videos, I am going to Alaska in a month's time and I will be traveling alone and will be riding pretty much the same course you have on these three videos. Glad Mathilde made it safe and sound, I think Alaska is beautiful but it is not a place to take lightly. Again, thank you for posting this video and I also have gotten inspire by Iohan and I miss him not been on this earth.

[@tristanrid]

Thanks for watching, and good luck with your trip to Alaska! One suggestion, especially if you're going up to the Arctic - buy a USB rechargeable Thermacell for dealing with the mosquitoes at camp. We decided not to bother, and it was the one thing we did regret. It would have made the Dalton Highway a lot more fun!

[@martinatompic8796]

Mathilda you rock! !!! oh I am enjoying your ALASKA adventures so much :)

[@tristanrid]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@tedsmith2150]

Hi Tristan, absolutely love your videos and wish I was as fearless as you. BUT, when I go on less ambitious bikepacking adventures than you with mates I insist that, if we get separated, if not back together after 15 mins, all regroup at the last point we were previously together- works every time!

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, and yeah it's a good idea!

[@john_of_us3212]

Wow, this video gave me goose pimples…absolutely breathtaking !

[@tristanrid]

Wow, thank you!

[@AB-qp6yj]

Quality genuine content. Just discovered. Good Luck

[@tristanrid]

Thank you!

[@SteveCockneyRebel]

Amazing views

[@tristanrid]

Yeah Denali is pretty incredible!

[@richardholden9476]

Wow, I must have passed Mathilda where she went down to the river prematurely. A solo woman cyclist from SF told me some people at Toklat were partying up the night before. With the pub open, maybe you three? Glad you all made it back without further incident. This is a good lesson for others on the Denali Road and wilderness biking. You can’t be too careful. Good job of hanging in there Mathilda and getting yourself back. Whew!

[@tristanrid]

Haha yeah that was definitely us, we ran into her at Eielson! Thanks, yeah it was a close call there, you have to be so careful!

[@returnedfrompanama]

This is a good reason for each member of the group to have a Garmin InReach.

[@tristanrid]

Yeah you're right about that one for sure!

[@walkingtwobytwo7122]

Oh this really brings back so many memories of my time hiking through Alaska and Denali. 😊

[@tristanrid]

Such a special place, I can't wait to get back!

[@frankk6262]

So relieved Mathilde made it back!! Well done her for staying strong and to you guys for raising the alarm as soon as you could.

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, definitely a scary few hours there so it was a big relief when she made it back!

[@ishgumi44]

Absolutely epic! Hats off to you guys (and gal)!

[@tristanrid]

Thank you!

[@mcakey1648]

Well done on the video, mate. Looking forward to the next one!

[@tristanrid]

Thank you!

[@garysilcox6583]

Bet there was lots of anxiety and worry when a friend goes missing. Keep up the good work. Good stuff. Enjoy your videos.

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, yeah it was certainly a stressful afternoon/evening!

[@omare_biketonature]

I pretty much ride solo but when in a group you stay together specially out there in the wilderness with no mobile reception, navigation or tracking device, she made a reckless mistake and I think she learned the lesson, thankfully she is ok but things can turn really nasty in a place like that with wild animals and weather that can change drastically and rapidly. Looks like a beautiful place to ride, great video, cheers!

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, yeah it was definitely a lesson learned!

[@propjoe1060]

These films are so beautifully put together. Glad that you found Mathilde safe and sound! Can't wait for the next installment!

[@tristanrid]

Thank you very much!

[@OutdoorWalesforever]

Glad she is OK apart from a few bruises. Think it shows how easy things can go wrong so quick and glad you included it in your film. Lovely scenery and look forward to the next video. Stay safe I would love to try Alaska one time looks wonderful....Apart from the quick changing weather and things that want to eat you ;)

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, yeah Alaska is spectacular, even with the mosquitos and rain it's well worth it!

[@chaddy861]

Another great episode you’ve inspired me to try bike packing amazing series loving it ❤

[@tristanrid]

Thanks for watching and good luck with your first bikepacking trip!

[@eduardherak8599]

Beautiful bikepacking 🏔️🏔️🏔️🚵‍♂️❤️👍👍👍

[@tristanrid]

Thank you!

[@timothyvanpelt_cyclist]

Such a great video of again Tristan, and man, it's beautiful up there.

[@tristanrid]

Thank you, it sure is!

[@CanadianSledDog]

This is why every party member should carry an InReach no matter what, and set up regular check-ins with each other when splitting up. I had an experience just like this in Powell River on the Sunshine Coast Trail, the slowest member went ahead, we never caught up to her, she didn't stop, and a full scale search and rescue operation ensued, she was airlifted out, hungry, uncomfortable, but safe, 1 day later.

[@tristanrid]

Yeah this was definitely an eye-opener and a lesson learned. Glad your friend was okay!

[@yagogarcia1841]

Bravo! Aupa ahí!

[@coolpro7278]

This is the amazing trip 😄

[@tristanrid]

Thank you!

[@kris2435]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@tristanrid]

🙏

[@mickilkr]

Excellent video series!

[@tristanrid]

Many thanks!

[@ketofong2759]

Love the content and cant wait to see more of you guys. Keep Riding, enjoy your journey ;)

[@tristanrid]

Thank you! Will do!

[@danielhnz]

Awesome video, Denali looks like a magical place

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, it really is!

[@pierredupont5227]

Wonderful

[@tristanrid]

🙏

[@ForGodsgloryministry75]

This mountains are amazing💥

[@tristanrid]

Yesss 🙌

[@lecrab]

quite the adventure. Glad Mathilde is ok.

[@tristanrid]

Thanks, me too!

[@Bikepacking]

Dam .. one reason why i love going solo ..

[@tristanrid]

Ha yeah in a way it's easier if all you have to worry about is yourself, although there are definitely benefits to bring in a group as well :)

[@alefumeroo]

what an experience! thanks for sharing, really inspiring. quick question: did you use a special program to do those tracking in the map route, love it!

[@tristanrid]

Thanks for the kind words! I just used Motion to make the maps, although I've since upgraded to using GeoLayers, which is even better :)

[@bigpimpinbig1]

Great film making! And story telling. I like how you let the others speak seperately. Very cool. How are you liking the MLD panniers? Looks like a nice setup.

[@tristanrid]

Thank you! I've been very happy with the MLD panniers, super convenient and the weight-to-volume ratio on them is just crazy!

[@bigpimpinbig1]

Thanks! I might get them too. You put the sleeping bag on the top of the rack? Looks like the panniers might be a bit small for a 4 season bag.@@tristanrid

[@tristanrid]

Yeah my sleeping bag goes into the backpack. I could probably squeeze the sleeping bag into a MLD pannier if I stuffed it straight in, but I wouldn't quite trust those panniers to be 100% waterproof, so I'd want a dry bag, and at that point the shape would make it an awkward fit.

[@davidalderson7761]

I always have a satellite tracker with me even in simpler wilder routes like Finland and northern Norway that isn’t so remote. You NEVER know what will happen and for rescue parties just maybe it helps them narrow down where you could be. It saves them too. If I ever need a rescue I want people to know exactly or class as possible where to search.

[@tristanrid]

Yeah a tracker is definitely a good idea!

[@davidalderson7761]

@@tristanrid for the actual cost of the device and running costs too it’s a no brainier. People have died in UK ( pretty tame ) because no one knew where they were and rescue teams members given life changing injuries hunting for people here and there in awful weather.

[@chadhartley]

Are you going to continue releasing videos in this series?

[@tristanrid]

Absolutely, there will be two more videos in the Alaska series, I'll be working on getting them published over the next 2-3 months since I'll finally have some time to work on them over the next 6 weeks :)

[@crash936]

Man, i am getting lost in a small city....in there i would die

[@tristanrid]

Haha cities are actually harder as there are so many more route choices, Denali just has one road so it's pretty straightforward, at least in theory!

[@ThisIsJASONNNN]

here is a comment for the algorithm

[@tristanrid]

haha thank you, appreciate it 😂

[@jacksrandomadventures2769]

any bears to see ?

[@tristanrid]

Not in Denali, although there were lots of signs of bears around, I guess they just didn't want to come say hi!

[@mmccab]

Perhaps you'll start riding as a group, with group integrity now.

[@tristanrid]

Yes it was definitely a mistake!