Sanford Plateau mini-Backpacking

Regular backpacking goes from point A to point B. Our mini-backpacking trips start and end in the same location, and you move camp once or twice, depending on group interest. You'll have some backpacking with a full pack, but not as much as you would on the point-to-point backpacking trip.

On a Basecamp mini-Backpacking Trip you will need to carry all your gear between the airstrip and your camp, which will be 1-3mi away. This means at least 2 one-way trips with the big backpack (usually 30-40lbs). After setting up camp you will enjoy day-hikes with a much lighter day pack (usually 5-15lbs).

On a point-to-point Backpacking Trip, you will move camp almost every night and will need to carry everything you need with you. For a trip up to 4 days in length, you can expect packs in the 35-45lb range and for trips in the 6-8 day range, please be prepared for weights closer to 45-50lbs. The burly gear that is required for the Alaskan backcountry isn’t very light so forget “ultralite” and think heavy-duty!

DAY 0 Meet your guide at the Dry Creek State Recreation Site on the day before your trip for Orientation and Gear Shakedown. Your guide will check your gear, distribute food, group gear, and rental equipment, and make sure you’re fully prepped for the adventure ahead. Your guide will camp here tonight and you are welcome to join them – dinner included!

DAY 1 After breakfast, you’ll drive less than a mile to the Gulkana Airport and leave your vehicles here. Load into your small bush planes and enjoy the views on your scenic 25-minute flight through the mountains. And not just any mountains! You’ll fly right past the impressive Mt. Drum and its corniced and fluted ridges as you weave your way into the Sanford Glacier Valley. Upon landing, you’ll take the afternoon to move along the river, setting up camp at the glacier’s edge. You’ll have to rehinge your jaw for dinner after all the incredible big-mountain views you got today!

DAY 2 Waking up, you’ll be pinching yourself to make sure you’re not still dreaming. This landscape is unreal! After an equally unreal backcountry breakfast, you’ll pack up your camp and begin the most challenging 2 days of the trip. The terminus of the Sanford Glacier is covered completely by rocky moraine, so you’ll move slowly through the hills of shifting rock, watching every step. Glossy ice will peak through dramatically through this weird landscape, and just when you think it couldn’t get more barren, a brightly colored bush will appear, tackling the rocky slopes just like you. Your reward for a hard day is a comfortable campsite with epic views of Mt. Sanford and extra helpings of dessert!

DAY 3 The smell of coffee awakens you from a deep – the white noise of running water had you dreaming. Excited for what your guide has in store for breakfast this morning, you see the looming hights of the plateau above. Once you get moving though, you notice how your steady pace of picking your way through bush and rock and tundra has you moving up more quickly than you thought. You’re completely distracted from the woes of moving uphill by the beautiful greenery and wildflowers, gurgling creeks, and opening views. By midday, you’ve reached the top of the plateau and take a moment to take your backpack off and rejoice! Make camp, take a stroll around, and enjoy (arguably) the best views in the Park!

DAY 4 What can’t you see from your tent this morning?! 360 views of incredible mountain majesties have you salivating over today’s day hike plans. Keep breakfast quick so you can get the most out of the day. Cover ground easily on the plateau and plan for 8-15mi of exploration, from alpine lakes to scenic overlooks, or hike to the top of a local summit for an elevated view! Return to camp at the end of the day and enjoy a hearty meal as you bask in the glory of the towering mountain giants all around you.

DAY 5 A breakfast befitting its locale is served up by your guide as you capture your final photographs of this high, alpine dreamscape. After packing up your camp, you’ll reverse your route, slowly descending to the valley below. If you don’t mind a longer day, you can sneak in one final day hike this morning before heading down. The epic views continue all the way down to the comfortable moraine camp, where you’ll watch the alpinglow hit Mt. Sanford as you eat dinner.

DAY 6 Today you’ll reverse your route across the Sanford Glacier and make your way closer to the airstrip. You’ll notice right away how much easier the terrain feels underfoot and you’ll have time to explore more of what you missed on your way in! When you’re not focused on how terrible it feels underfoot, you start to appreciate the geologic nuances and the rock-and-ice aesthetic of surface moraine. You can camp at the glacier’s edge, or push further toward the airstrip to set up camp, knowing you’ll need to cover any remaining distance in the morning. Let your guide spoil you one last time with another outstanding wilderness dinner as you share your “rose, bud, and thorn” from the trip.

DAY 7 Getting up early on your final day, you’ll want to make the most of your last day in the backcountry! If you still have a ways to go to get to the airstrip, you’ll keep breakfast efficient and cover the remaining distance to catch your flight. If you’re already camping nearby, take the morning to enjoy an easy stroll, soak in the views and fresh mountain air. Your flight is scheduled for the late morning – be sure to have your camera ready for another flight past the Wrangell giants! Back at your car by early afternoon, you can make your way onward to the next Alaska destination.

There is a reason Alaska has such a rugged allure for the lower 48 and beyond: it is still wild! This raw and untamed landscape offers our clients the opportunity to authentically pioneer new territory and have real adventures. Part of embracing the “Alaska Factor” is understanding that things may not always go as planned and expecting the unexpected. Water levels might rise, snow might fall, glaciers may shift and move – the landscape is dynamic and unpredictable is what makes Alaska, Alaska! All of our trips are customized as they unfold and your guide will fluidly make decisions based on weather, logistics, and group dynamics to maximize each day’s experience. There can be quite a bit of variation in the itinerary, but on each trip we promise a big slice of the real Alaska and authentic adventure!

This is a Advanced Backpacking Trip. On our Advanced Trips, we will be completely off-trail trail for the entirety of the trip, traversing some combination of steep and rocky slopes, tussocky and squishy tundra, loose and dynamic moraine, thick brush and/or slick glacial ice in crampons – all of it uneven and hilly.

On these trips, you will cover 6-10mi/day with up to 2500’ of elevation gain/loss while carrying your own gear along with a portion of the group gear (total pack weights usually come in at 40-50lbs).

We highly recommend starting physical training in preparation for Moderate trips 2-3 months in advance. These trips are great for very fit hikers or backpackers with at least four +3-day trips under their belts, but honestly, the more experience you have, the better prepared you will be for the “Alaska factor”!

The following is a complete list of personal equipment required for our trekking and backpacking trips. If you need to purchase items on this list, please make those purchases well in advance. While Anchorage has quality gear shops, consider them only as a backup for emergencies or last-minute items (unless you are from Alaska), as they may not have the item you need in stock. There are no gear stores in McCarthy.

Rentals: We have a limited supply of rental equipment available. Please make arrangements with us in advance. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

• ВАСКРАCK - A good external or internal frame pack is required. A pack in the 70-95 liter range should fit your gear and food comfortably. YOU WILL BE CARRYING A BEAR CAN OF FOOD, half of a tent, and some amount of group gear, so make sure it fits. We recommend taking your full pack into a gear shop and packing with one of their bear cans to make sure it fits. We like packs made by Osprey, Gregory, or Deuter.
• PACK COVER - This is REQUIRED equipment. You should buy one made for your pack, or an extra-large packcover if you cannot find a custom fit. This will protect your pack from rain and wet brush, and at night you don't have to worry about your pack getting wet if a storm rolls in. For the hardcore minimalist, you can bringtwo extra-large trash bags.
• SLEEPING BAG - It has been known to snow during any month in Alaska. A good three-season sleeping bag rated to 10 degrees is a must. The question is down or synthetic? Down loses its insulating ability once wet, but if you are careful to keep the bag dry, down gives the best warmth-to-weight ratio. Our favorite sleeping bags are Marmot, Feathered Friends, and Western Mountaineering.
• SLEEPING PAD - A full-length pad is best. Therm-a-Rests are great, but remember they can get a small puncture and leak, so we recommend bringing a repair kit. Closed-cell foam pads (a.k.a. Ensolite pads) tend to keep you warmer, but are not as comfortable to sleep on. A small piece of ensolite can be nice to sit on around camp.

REQUIRED APPAREL

• HIKING PANTS - A light wool, synthetic (e.g. nylon, Schoeller), or fleece pant is required. The lightweight softshell pants such as Patagonia's Lightweight Guide Pants work very well too. You'll spend the majority of your time in these so make sure they fit well and are breathable enough to stay comfortable while you're active. Denim, canvas, or any type of cotton is NOT ACCEPTABLE so check the label to make sure before arrival.
• LONG UNDERWEAR SET - Long underwear must be polypro or wool. We recommend bringing a lightweight or midweight set of tops and bottoms such as Patagonia Capilene. Consider 2 sets so you can have a clean set to sleep in at night.
• MID LAYER TOP - Layers are the key to comfort and warmth while hiking and camping. This is the first layer over the polypro long underwear top. It can be wool, capilene, "expedition weight" long underwear, a light fleece, etc. Patagonia's R1 series is a good example of this.
• INSULATING LAYER - Another layer! This one is typically used for extra warmth during rest stops or around camp. One suggestion is a warm fleece jacket - "wind-resistant" fleece is great but tends to hold in your sweat while hiking. A lightweight down or synthetic jacket can be used here too, but remember that once down is wet, it loses all insulating ability, so fleece or synthetic insulation tends to work best in Alaska.
• RAIN JACKET - This is one of the most important items. Good rain gear will make your adventure much more enjoyable. We recommend bringing a high-quality non-insulated Gore-Tex jacket (not your 10-year-old standby-it's just too stormy in Alaska). Exceptional rain gear is made by Arc'teryx, Marmot, and Patagonia. Make sure it's got a comfortable hood that allows you to see and pit zips for ventilation. PONCHOS ARE NOT АССЕРTABLE. Wind and brush make them useless.
• RAIN PANTS - Again, we recommend a high-quality pair of Gore-Tex rain pants, preferably with a full side zipfor ventilation and easy on/off. You can bring a separate pair of uncoated nylon wind pants to wear through the brush and in a light drizzle, if you prefer. This gives your Gore-Tex pants a longer life.
• SOCKS - You should have at least 3 pairs of wool or synthetic socks. Sock selection varies on personal preference, but we recommend bringing two mid-weight socks for hiking and one heavyweight pair to sleep in. You may also want to bring a lightweight pair of neoprene socks specifically for river crossings, however, they are optional. Many guides and clients find lightweight liner socks a very comfortable addition that helps with blisters. SmartWool, Thorlo, and Dahlgren make excellent socks.
• CREEK CROSSING SHOES - A separate pair of footwear is necessary for creek crossings. A pair of lightweight running shoes work fine, or a technical sandal such as Tevas or Chacos (no flip-flops or Crocs please). To save weight, these can also be used as your camp shoes.
• HIKING BOOTS - These should be medium to heavy full leather boots. La Sportiva, Scarpa, Merrell, Montrail, Lowa, and Vasque make great boots - be sure to consider fit first, and fashion second. We highly recommend that all boots be waterproofed shortly before coming up to Alaska, and Nikwax makes excellent waterproofing products. YOUR BOOTS MUST BE WELL BROKEN IN BEFORE THE TRIP! Please do not let the enjoyment of your trip be severely compromised by blisters. *We strongly recommend that you keep your boots in your carry-on luggage for your flight to AK. In the event that your bags get lost or delayed, you'll have boots that fit and we can outfit you with the rest.
• WOOL or FLEECE HAT - Something to cover the ears and keep your head warm. A buff works well too!
• BASEBALL/SUN HAT - A hat with a bill keeps the rain out, too, and will pair nicely with a mosquito net!
• FLEECE GLOVES - A light pair of fleece gloves is a must for warm hands while hiking and around camp. Fleece gloves with WindStopper are best, but regular fleece or even wool gloves work fine as well.

REQUIRED ITEMS

• MESS KIT - A cup, bowl, and spoon. This doesn't have to be fancy, and even Tupperware will do! DO NOT BRING SIERRA CUPS. They were designed to spill; burn hands & lips and eventually be gold-plated for your study.
• REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE - Water is abundant, so we usually only carry about 1.5 Liters at a time. We will provide you with a souvenir 16 oz Nalgene, and recommend you supplement that with a single 32 oz Nalgene. A hydration bladder (such as a Camelback) is not recommended. Bladders don't hold up great to the rigors of backcountry travel in Alaska and can be difficult to refill in the backcountry.
• TREKKING POLES - A pair is required for the rigors of Alaskan terrain. The uneven terrain is the biggest challenge our clients face and the least expected one. Trekking poles help with rugged and dynamic terrain and also come in handy for river crossings. A collapsible pair is best so that you can easily carry them on your backpack when you do not want to use them. The "flick lock" type of adjustment tends to be more durable than the "twist-lock" type. Even if you don't typically use them, we would like you to use them on this trek.
• CAMERA - Bring a good one, especially with a wide-angle lens. Don't forget extra batteries and extra memory cards for all the pictures you'll take!
• KNIFE - The Swiss Army knife is the old standby, although the new multi-tools are acceptable, as long as theyhave a knife. Keep it simple and small.
• TOILETRY KIT - Toothpaste, toothbrush, moleskin (we highly recommend Spenco Second Skin), personal medications (please tell us before the trip of any medications you are taking), and a personal first aid kit (with band-aids, aspirin, etc.). Other personal items to consider are: chapstick, biodegradable soap, dental floss, wet wipes, a small container of waterless hand sanitizer, tampons or pads. Remember that we are backpacking in bear territory, so limit the number of "smellables," such as lotions or perfumes, as they must be stored in the bear cans at night.
• SUNGLASSES - We recommend polarized glasses to cut down on glare and the use of a retention device (Croakies, etc).
• SUNSCREEN/BLOCK - Even on an overcast day, the sun can be surprisingly persistent and sunscreen becomes especially important if your route includes a lot of glacial travel as the white ice is super reflective and will burn the bottom of your nose and chin!
• INSECT REPELLANT - Since the Wrangell/St. Elias has so much ice covering its surface, the bug problem is nothing like the Brooks Range or other tundra-covered regions, but there can be areas with a lot of bugs, so Jungle Juice, BEN's, or some other good repellant with a lot of DEET is important. (Beware that DEET ruins waterproof coatings like Gore-Tex and DWR, so keep it off your rain gear!) A mosquito head-net is also recommended, as it is light and packable, but can really be worth its weight when in bug territory.
• TOWEL - A highly recommended item, a hand towel is generally large enough for drying off after swimming or river crossings. MSR's Packtowl is the techie alternative.

OPTIONAL ITEMS

• BUG NET - Lightweight and teeny tiny, this little item can save the day if your camp ends up getting swarmed. A head net paired with a brimmed hat will keep the net out of your face. Full body net suit not required.
• HIKING/RUNNING SHORTS - Lightweight nylon shorts are quick-drying and easy to carry. Recommended for swimming and/or river crossings or for the occasional super hot day with no bushwhacking.
• PUFFY JACKET - An additional layer for people who are often cold, this is a lightweight but warm layer to wear in camp at night. Synthetic works best when wet, but down provides the most insulation for the weight. For folks from warmer climates, cold days and evenings can feel like "winter" so be prepared to stay warm.
• FLEECE OR PUFFY PANTS - Those wishing to be super warm and toasty around camp, and don't mind carrying a little extra weight, can bring a pair of fleece or puffy pants. Great if you "sleep cold."
• OVERMITTS - These should be a lightweight pair of nylon or Gore-Tex shells that protect the hand from wind and keep your gloves dry in the rain. A good example of this is the OR Revel Shell Mitts. These can save the day if it's particularly blistery out.
• GAITERS - This is an optional but highly recommended item but can help protect your pants from crampons, brush, mud, and keep the water out of your boots on shallow river crossings.
• RUNNING SHOES - If you are OK with the extra weight, a pair of running shoes are good to wear around camp, or for a day hike if your heavy hiking boots are bothering you. Some folks carry sandals, such as Tevas or Chacos, which are great for river crossings but are not good for hiking and not as warm around camp.
• STUFF SACKS - Optional according to preference, but very handy. Bring an assortment of sizes for separating different clothing items. We strongly recommend that you keep your clothing, sleeping bag, and anything else you don't want to get wet in waterproof stuff sacks. A large trash compactor bag (with a couple of backups) can be used to line the entire inside of your pack for a cheap alternative.
• BOOK - Bring something to read just before dozing off or for rest days. Small, light paperbacks are best but if you're careful an e-reader will work well too!
• DECK OF CARDS - Our guides are always up for a game of Cribbage or Hearts before heading off to bed, or if the weather is sour.
• BINOCULARS - Nice to have for animal sightings and views of the distant peaks.
• COMPASS - An option for you (not for us!), but if you don't know how to use one, here's a great chance to learn! A compass such as the Silva Ranger with compensation for declination is very handy.

GROUP EQUIPMENT

• TENTS - We will provide tents for you or you can bring your own. If you plan to use our tents, be aware that you will likely be paired up with another group participant. If you'd like to bring your own tent, it needs to be a 3-season tent with a vestibule - the MSR Copper Spur is a popular model.
• BEAR CANISTER - Each participant will be given a full bear canister at the start of the trip. It will be full of food and other group items like stoves or the cook tent. The bear canisters are full-sized and the exact dimensions depend on the brand (we use several interchangeably). A good estimate of space is two basketballs stacked on top of each other. A full bear can will weigh about 11lbs, and will become emptier as the days progress, giving you the chance to put your own stuff in there as space opens up.
• AN OCCASIONAL ITEM - You may also be asked to carry a small additional item such as a fuel canister or tent pole.
• FOOD - We supply all the food on our backpacking trips and most of it will already be prepacked in the bear cans we give you. You will be given the chance to pick out snacks for yourself during orientation and you'll want these easily accessible during the day. Depending on the length of your trip you can expect to fill a half-full gallon zip lock bag with snacks.
• COOKING EQUIPMENT + FUEL- We'll bring everything we need for cooking delicious meals in the backcountry. For backpacking trips we use lightweight gear and pack just enough fuel to last the trip (plus a little extra for emergencies). All this stuff will already be in the bear cans you receive, but occasionally a fuel bottle won't fit and will be loose.
• TOILET SUPPLIES - We will provide you with toilet paper and some ziplock bags for your dirty paper (which gets packed out). Your guide will bring a trowel or their ice axe for the group to share to dig catholes as needed. You may choose to bring additional wet wipes if you want to.
• SAT PHONE/INREACH - Your guide will have a satellite communication device for coordinating bush flights and to use in emergencies. You do not need to bring your own emergency location device, but can if you want to. We highly encourage you to disconnect as much as possible when you're out in the backcountry and often find that folks underestimate the strong tether they feel to the outside world when they know they can or are expected to send a daily text to their fan club back home.

Your guide will go over all your gear with you during orientation but if you have any questions while planning and packing, please don't hesitate to reach out!

You’ll need to meet your guide at the Dry Creek State Recreation Site* the day before your trip for Orientation and Gear Shakedown. Your guide will arrive there by the afternoon and you can plan to meet up anytime after 2pm. Your guide will camp here tonight and you are encouraged to join them – dinner is included.

*If you’re not driving your own vehicle, you can meet your guide in Glennallen or Gulkana Airport instead. Contact us to discuss these options in more detail.

On Day 1 of your trip, your guide will prepare breakfast and drive to the Gulkana Airport and can give you a ride if you don’t have a vehicle. If you are driving, drive with them and leave your vehicle here for the duration of your trip. Your bush flights are scheduled for this morning and will likely take several “rounds” depending on group size.

At the end of your trip, on Day 7, you’ll fly back to the Gulkana Airport in the late morning/early afternoon. If you have a vehicle here, you should have time to comfortably drive to McCarthy, Valdez, Anchorage, or Fairbanks from here today.

If you aren’t driving, you can find transportation to other areas from Gulkana or Glennallen (your guide can give you a ride here).

We usually start to take bookings for multi-day trips in the late fall. The booking process can take a few weeks as you decide on your Trip and Trip Package details and requires back-and-forth communication with our office staff.

We recommend booking your Backpacking Trips between November and May. The earlier you sign up, the more flexibility we’ll have to accommodate you, and the more availability there’ll be for exactly what you’re looking for.

As we get closer to the summer, options will dwindle and more importantly, our time will become limited to help with trip planning as we start to focus on the upcoming season. From May to Sept, our small office staff is busy with daily operations and existing trips, and so booking during this time frame is less than ideal and considered a“last-minute”.

We are not able to offer Trip Package services for trips booked within 2 months of the start date, for example, and may be slower to respond during the summer months

On a Basecamp mini-Backpacking Trip you will need to carry all your gear between the airstrip and your camp, which will be 1-3mi away. This means at least 2 one-way trips with the big backpack (usually 30-40lbs). After setting up camp you will enjoy day-hikes with a much lighter day pack (usually 5-15lbs).

For all Backpacking Trips, the pack weight will really depend on what you bring, so we do recommend having a minimalist mindset. In addition to your own gear, we will be giving you a bear canister full of food and supplies, potentially another item like a fuel canister or a stove, and maybe a part of a tent if you’re not bringing your own (we recommend sharing tents to save weight). Your guides are weight-conscious packers and will never burden you unnecessarily. It’s likely that over the course of the trip, you’ll be able to start adding your own things into the bear canister and your pack should get lighter as you eat your food and use supplies.

If you would really like to do a Point-to-Point Backpacking Trip but are concerned about the pack weight, we also offer Porter services. Porters cannot take your entire pack for you, but they can help alleviate your pack weight significantly and offer other assistance as an assistant guide on the trip.

This is one of the most commonly asked questions!

We practice Leave No Trace principles and make sure to minimize our impact on the natural landscape as much as possible.

In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the recommended practice for backpackers is to either individually dig small holes (your guide will carry a small trowel) to use as a personal latrine per-use or choose a place near camp but with some privacy and dig a trench for use as a group latrine, depending on the location. You will carry out all your used toilet paper and all other sanitary products and trash.

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park is home to both black bears and grizzly bears and we are honored to share our home with such majestic animals. We treat the bears with respect and do our best to maintain their wild environment and nature. The bears out here are truly very wild and have very little contact with humans – this means that they are naturally afraid of us! Yes, even grizzlies! Bears do not hunt humans and our most common bear sighting is of a bear’s butt as they run away.

Although bear sightings may be exciting, we do our best to avoid close encounters with preventative measures at camp and while hiking that our guides will share with you. Just in case of unusually close encounters, our guides carry flare guns (to scare a bear away) and pepper spray (in case of an uncomfortably close meeting). It is very uncommon to have to use either.

If you want to, you can bring your own bear spray too, however, know that your guide has one and has been trained on how to use it. With 40 years of guiding in the Park, we have found that being bear aware, taking preventative measures and the flare gun and pepper spray to be sufficient mitigations.

Please refrain from bringing firearms with you on our trips. Not only does this make our other guests and guides uncomfortable, but they are also completely unnecessary for bear safety. We know that other areas of Alaska may recommend firearms for bear safety, but we specifically recommend against them.

We pride ourselves on cooking healthy and delicious meals even under the most adverse conditions! Your exact menu will depend on the trip, your guide, and the dietary preferences/restrictions you list in your Trip Application. No matter what kind of cook your guide is at home, all our guides are well-trained backcountry chefs and use time-tested recipes from our proprietary cookbook for their trips. We carry a plentiful and varied stock of ingredients and most meals are prepared from scratch (allowing for easy substitutions, additions or subtractions of ingredients).

On our backpacking and basecamp trips, you can expect 3 meals a day, plus snacks of your choice. Breakfasts and dinners are usually hot meals and lunches are served cold. On mountaineering trips lunches consist of a variety of snacks as it can be hard to organize group meals while on a rope team. We use a combination of fresh, dehydrated, and freeze-dried ingredients to make our delicious meals. Meals for most trips start with Lunch on the first day and end with Lunch on the last day.

We can accommodate most dietary restrictions and even preferences, too! Please be honest and open with your guides about what you can and cannot eat, why, and what will happen if you do. Don’t worry if it’s just a preference – there’s no need to pick out the mushrooms out of every meal when they could easily just be left out.

Because our guides prepare most meals completely from scratch, it’s easy for them to add, leave out, or substitute ingredients. They are attuned to the consequences of cross-contamination and prep and cook meals with great care when dealing with an allergen or an upsetting ingredient. We have never had any food-related allergic reactions or major issues arise in the field.

We ask that you are realistic about how you want to eat in the backcountry. If you follow a very strict diet at home, consider making exceptions while on the trip, as your body will be extra stressed and comfort foods will seem much more appealing out there. We also want to make sure you’re getting enough calories, protein, and other nutrients. If you tell your guides you don’t eat pork, they won’t pack you any bacon, and then when breakfast rolls around and you can hear it sizzling in the pan, that delicious bacon smell is in the air, and everyone else is crunchin’ on crispy bacon strips……you’ll be eating drool for breakfast! If you tell us you eat vegan, we will pack you amazing and delicious vegan meals, so don’t count on stealing anyone’s cheese and jerky if it turns out you actually make exceptions for tasty treats! Be realistic, and communicate honestly.

If you have a highly specialized diet for health reasons and we are not able to accommodate it, we will work with you to find an alternative solution.

Tipping is customary in the guiding industry and always appreciated. While our guides are paid professionals, gratuities help make guiding a sustainable career. A good guideline is 10–20% of the trip cost—typically $10–$35 per person for day trips, and 10–20% of the total cost given at the end for multi-day trips. Tips can be given in cash, via Venmo, or by card. If your trip includes a flight, please tip your pilot separately, as any pre-tips go directly to your guide.

We understand that you may have luggage or things you don’t want to bring into the backcountry with you. If you don't have your own vehicle, you may leave them in our guides' van.

A shared tent will be provided for you, however, if you have your own tent and can bring it, we recommend that you do. You’ll be most comfortable with the equipment you’re already familiar with (or you can become familiar with it on this trip) and this is probably why you got a tent in the first place – to use it!

We use lightweight 2-man and 3-man, 3-season tents with double vestibules. Our fleet of rental tents includes a variety of brands and models like MSR Elixers and Alps Mountaineering Extreme. Other great options are the Big Agnes Copper Spur or MSR Hubba Hubba.

If you’d like to bring your own tent, double-check the make and model with us first to make sure it’ll stand up to the rugged demands of the Alaskan backcountry!

For this adventure, we typically offer one or two group trips per year, and private trips are available throughout the summer.

Group Trips have set dates and are made up of individual travelers or smaller parties like couples who don’t know each other but are excited to adventure together! On a Group Trip, you’ll meet new people with similar interests and be able to spread the costs of the trip resulting in a lower per-person rate. We need a minimum of 3 people to run a Group Trip at the Group Rate and they max out at 8 participants for land-based trips.

Private Trips have custom dates and are just for your party. Private Trips are great for families, especially those with young children, close groups of friends or couples just wanting to spend time together, or those with special interests like photography or birding that they want to focus on during the trip. On a Private Trip, the entire experience is customized to your party and you don’t have to compromise to anyone else’s interests or abilities. Private Trips can be for just one, solo adventurer or get as big as 12 participants for larger groups. We work with a ratio of 1:4.