Backpack the Talkeetna Mountains and Whitewater Raft the Chickaloon River

Arriving in Anchorage, we will move north into the shadow of Mount McKinley to prepare for a 13-day backcountry experience most people only dream about. From our starting point at a small creek on the edge of the vast Talkeetna Range, we'll travel deep into this wilderness preserve for 11 days, fording streams and camping near unnamed lakes and peaks. Our journey will lead us to the headwaters of the Chickaloon River, where bush planes will fly-in additional provisions, rafting equipment, and our river guides. The next 2 days, we will raft out of the wilderness, traveling 25 miles. Our whitewater journey will offer opportunities to see bears and eagles and experience a most amazing stretch of whitewater. The Chickaloon River is one of the finest rafting adventures in Alaska and 
will provide an exciting conclusion to a remarkable wilderness trek.

Glacier Trek and Ice Climb in the Wrangell-Saint Elias Range

A short journey south lies the magnificent Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park, characterized by hundreds of rugged peaks, snowfields, tundra, and glaciers, and home to bears, caribou, and Dall sheep. Upon arrival, we'll be introduced to the fundamentals of glacier travel. Then, equipped with crampons, we will begin an amazing 10-day glacier expedition through this wondrous high mountain wilderness. Our ice-climbing specialists will join us by bush plane, bringing resupplies of food and our ice climbing equipment. Surrounded by spectacular glaciers, we'll learn additional ice climbing and glacier travel techniques, including the use of ice axes, belaying, and rappelling. We will then put these skills to use, crossing 
2 impressive glaciers as our journey returns us to the trailhead.

Sea Kayak in Prince William Sound

A short journey west takes us to Whittier, the deepwater port for Anchorage and our gateway to spectacular Prince William Sound. Here, we'll pick up our sea kayaks and begin an unforgettable 6-day journey into the far reaches of the Sound in the Nellie Juan Wilderness, camping at spectacular beaches each night. Surrounded by ice flows, seals, sea lions, otters, and occasionally whales, we'll paddle through amazing fjords with numerous tidewater glaciers. From our campsites, the beauty of these giant moving rivers of ice will astound us, calving icebergs into the sea. Returning to Anchorage, we'll celebrate our phenomenal journey in the land of the midnight sun with an Alaskan style sourdough banquet.


All 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.