A comprehensive hiking guide book for the largest national park in the United States. Contains descriptions for 50 hikes, and a wealth of valuable hints and tips. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park which is located in south central Alaska encompasses 13.2 million acres of unsurpassed wilderness. The book also provides information for services available within and around the park including bus services, air taxis and guide services. Also includes contact numbers for visitor information including the national park and local communities.

In 1987, he became a partner in St. Elias Alpine Guides based in McCarthy and spent the next five seasons guiding hiking and climbing trips within the park. He moved to Alaska full-time in 1989. In 1992, he gave up guiding full-time and returned to engineering and consulting work. However, he has continued to climb, hike and explore the park. He has completed the first ascent of numerous peaks within the park including Mts. Anderson, Tittmann, and The Presidents Chair. Mr. Kost has also hiked and climbed in the eastern, central and western United States, Canada and Switzerland. He splits his time between Anchorage and his cabin in McCarthy.