Certainly not the same level of "understanding and kindness", but what our own barefoot bandit, his mom, and their forthcoming movie/book deals? Crime apparently pays.
I think this is the site:
whoops meant this first link
http://www.google.com/search?btnG=1&pws=0&q=northwest+hiking+website
Your trip sounds pretty cool. Are you going mtb to Alaska? Surely anything on foot you can accomplish on a bike! You just need to get more EXTREME. Bring a parachute.