Sea Kayak among Humpback Whales

We will meet in Juneau, Alaska's state capital, rich with Russian and Tlingit Indian history. Bald eagles perch on hillside treetops and snowcapped peaks rise abruptly from the downtown streets. We will then travel by bush plane to Gustavus and Glacier Bay National Park on the shores of Icy Strait for the first wonderful leg of our journey. Then, traveling in 2-person kayaks, we will ply the placid waters off the coast of Chichagof Island, the finest place in the northern hemisphere to see marine mammals. Our 5-day journey will find us marveling at sea otter families, colonies of sea lions and pods of orca whales. A never ending display of feeding humpback whales croon us to sleep each night.

Backpack the Yukon Wilderness

Following our return bush flight to Juneau, we'll travel on the Alaska Marine Highway to historic Haines. Here we'll backpack in the footsteps of early Russian fur trappers and Gold Rush prospectors through the wonderful Yukon wilderness of spectacular glacier-carved peaks, and wildflower-laden meadows. We'll be on the lookout for this area's rich wildlife, including moose and both black and brown coastal bears.

Whitewater Raft the Blanchard River

Upon our return from our wilderness trek, we'll be ready for some fun and exhilarating Alaskan whitewater. We'll spend a day on the wild and turbulent Blanchard River as we run Class III and IV whitewater, enjoying some of the finest rapids in southeast Alaska and the Yukon. Our riverbank campsite will be the perfect setting for a reading of Robert Service's The Cremation of Sam McGee.

Ice Climb and Trek among Alaskan Glaciers

Our journey continues as we travel by boat to meet our climbing specialists for an introduction to glacier trekking and ice climbing on the Davidson Glacier. With crampons and ice axes, we'll learn new skills for 3 days as we climb this magnificent glacier of ice and snow. From Haines, we will return to Juneau by ferry for our final celebration evening, savoring a native Alaskan dinner in a traditional long house.

 

Most of the major components of this trip have been offered by us over the past 35 years.

 

Teachers/Group Leaders: This adventure or a variation of it can be offered as a private/custom trip with your own departure dates. Please contact our group desk at 800-533-2281.