At Nutrum Biotech, our team shares a strong passion for hiking, wellness, and exploring new places. These stunning photos from an adventure in Valley of Fire State Park capture exactly why Nutrum on the Trail exists.
What makes this story even more meaningful is that we share a background of living close to nature in Alaska. Alaska, its wilderness, and its hikes deserve an entire blog series of their own and if you continue following this journey, you’ll likely get hooked by the stories, lessons, and adventures that come from life on the trail.
Working at a company that genuinely promotes wellness and a positive employee culture is refreshing. Through these blogs, we’re excited to share our experiences not just as hikers, but as people so you can get to know us on a deeper level. Our goal is to connect with everyone out there, from experienced hikers to those just beginning their journey.
In this post, I want to compare two very different wilderness environments: Alaska and Valley of Fire. Two landscapes. Two climates. Two stories. Along the way, we’re also sharing photos captured by Ken Zueger, a former Nutrum Biotech employee, experienced hiker, and adventurer who has lived and explored Alaska’s wilderness firsthand.
The central question behind this comparison is simple, but important:
Does hiking experience really matter when you go deeper into the wilderness?
From a humble and honest perspective, my answer is yes.
Alaska: Beauty, Obsession, and Respect for the Wild
Let’s start with Alaska specifically during one of the most hostile times of the year to hike. Many hikers are familiar with the story of the Magic Bus and Chris McCandless, whose journey has drawn countless adventurers into Alaska’s backcountry. That story, and others like it, taps into a powerful idea: leaving everything behind, living off the land, and connecting deeply with nature and the inner self.
For many hikers including myself that idea becomes an obsession. Not knowing where a trail ends. Walking without a fixed destination. Exploring simply to explore.
But Alaska demands respect.
My personal experience took place in April of 2013. I went with a group of hikers, three young dogs, two trucks, and three fully equipped Wranglers. Even with preparation, it wasn’t enough. We reached the same river Chris McCandless couldn’t cross at that time of year, it was simply impossible. The mosquitoes were relentless, forming clouds that no amount of repellent could fight off. Watching my dog suffer was the moment I knew it was time to turn back.
Later, I realized what caused us to fail:
the season. Timing mattered more than anything else.
That same year, a fellow hiker texted me before attempting the journey in late fall. His message was blunt: “If you don’t hear from me by tomorrow, call the police.” By then, the river level had dropped significantly, temperatures were cold but manageable, and conditions allowed a safer crossing. That night, he messaged again: “I made it.”
I was happy for him and deeply jealous but his success reinforced an important truth: wilderness doesn’t reward courage alone. It rewards preparation, timing, experience, and sometimes a bit of luck.
Valley of Fire: A Different Kind of Danger
Compared to Alaska, Valley of Fire presents an entirely different challenge. The danger here isn’t freezing temperatures or rivers, it’s extreme heat, dehydration, and exposure. Without proper planning, the desert can become just as unforgiving.
Just like Alaska, success depends on:
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Researching the right time of year to hike
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Being honest about your physical condition
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Preparing for sudden environmental changes
You may feel strong and healthy when you start, but once you’re out there, conditions can shift quickly. Heat, terrain, and isolation don’t leave much room for mistakes.
The purpose of hiking and adventure is to explore, connect, and experience wilderness, not to push beyond safe limits. Every year, lives are lost because preparation and self-awareness are overlooked and that’s a tragedy we can prevent.
Wellness Starts Before the Trail
Another critical part of this conversation is what you carry within yourself. Your health. Your daily habits. Your nutrition. Preparing for the wilderness doesn’t start at the trailhead it starts long before, with how you eat, recover, and care for your body.
At Nutrum Biotech, we believe wellness is foundational. A balanced routine supported by proper nutrition and thoughtful supplementation, can give your body that extra edge it needs when you’re pushing into challenging environments. here you can see all our supplements
Because whether you’re facing the cold rivers of Alaska or the burning heat of the desert, preparation physical, mental, and environmental is everything.
This is just the beginning of our journey on Nutrum on the Trail. More stories, more wilderness, and more lessons are ahead and we’re excited to share them with you, one trail at a time.
By Nutrum Biotech
