Source to Sea Rafting Trip - Chitina & Copper Rivers

DAY 0 Today you’ll meet your guides in McCarthy for Orientation and Gear Shakedown. They’ll review your itinerary, go over the menu, make sure that you are properly outfitted for the trip, and distribute/fit all the equipment you need.

Your guides will provide you with dry bags so you can repack your gear. Any luggage you don’t want on the river can be left at our headquarters and will meet you in Cordova at the end of your trip.

After making sure you are totally prepared for the adventure ahead, your guide will make sure to get you to your lodging that night and coordinate plans for tomorrow’s pick-up.

DAY 1 Early this morning we will board a tiny plane for our extended bush flight deep into the backcountry. Spilling from the flanks of the massive Mount Logan, the Chitina Glacier terminates in a fast-flowing river, the banks of which are your landing strip. High in the alpine, this is a spectacular landscape of high mountain peaks, impressive rock formations, and determined greenery.

You will spend today exploring this marvelous area on foot, getting a view of the pumping headwaters and meandering past a few crystal clear pools on your way. Your guides will prepare the first of many delicious meals this evening and you’ll enjoy your first Alaskan backcountry night!

DAY 2-7 Today the epic journey begins as you load your boats and set off on the silty Chitina waters. Starting each day with a delicious breakfast, you’ll spend about 3-7 hours in the boat, taking out for lunch and day hikes along the way.

On the first half of the trip, you’ll float your way through the heart of the Wrangells, practically floating the entirety of the Park, east to west. The rarely floated Upper Chitina River will give you access to unique landscapes, islands to explore and even a cozy backcountry sauna at Jake’s Bar on Day 4! On Day 5, you’ll float past the confluence with the Nizina River, noticing the volume of water increase significantly.

On Day 7 you’ll make your way towards the town of Chitina which sits right on the confluence of the Chitina and Copper Rivers. Here you’ll take out and your guides will shuttle you to a local lodge and cabins where you can enjoy a mid-trip shower and warm bed!

DAY 8-14 Take your time on the morning of Day 8 as we’ll put back on the Copper in the early afternoon. For the second half of the trip you’ll turn south and continue the historic river journey through the Chugach Mountains, cutting your way through the interior and heading toward the coast!

DAY 15 After a few hours of floating, we will end our river journey at “Flag Point”, where the Copper River Highway (Alaska-speak for gravel road) crosses the river. Here our van will be waiting. You will repack your personal items into your own luggage while your guides dismantle the boat’s other gear. After a final lunch together, we will drive 25 miles into the small fishing town of Cordova.

Tonight, lodging and dinner are included at the historic Orca Adventure Lodge. If time allows, we highly recommend spending a couple of extra days in Cordova to enjoy sea kayaking, hiking and exploration of this historic and remote town. The fishing here is legendary!

There are no roads connecting Cordova to the rest of the state. Commercial flights are available to Anchorage, bush flights to other Alaskan towns, and the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system has sailings from Cordova to Valdez and other Alaskan towns for a marvelous alternative to flying.

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, but on each trip we promise a big slice of the real Alaska and authentic adventure!

Rafting trips allow a slightly more “luxurious” wilderness experience than backpacking or basecamp hiking – easier on the legs, a more casual daily schedule with more time at camp, no backpack burden, and more elaborate meals with fresher ingredients.

On rafting trips we usually spend 2-6 hrs on the river every day, stopping for lunch and short, scenic hikes before making a camp in the wilderness. Our rafting trips are scenic floats, allowing access to otherwise unattainable views and covering more miles than you ever could on foot, with some class II-III rapids in between.

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). We only use pre-packed freeze-dried meals on summit pushes on our mountaineering expeditions.

On our rafting trips, we cook full multi-course meals with fresh ingredients and enjoy hot and cold breakfasts, cold lunches and hot dinners.

Meals for most trips start with Lunch on the first day and end with Lunch on the last day.

We understand that you may have luggage or things you don’t want to bring into the backcountry with you so we have a designated area at our headquarters where your guide will label and store your stuff while you’re out. This area is not locked, however, we have never had any issues with loss or damage. If you have a small item of great value that you are particularly nervous about, we may be able to store it in our office for you – just ask your guide.

On the Chitina River, Copper River, Source to Sea, or Custom Trips with different start and end points, any luggage you leave behind with us will be brought out to meet you at the end of the trip.

MULTI-DAY TRIPS RAFTING EQUIPMENT LIST

The following is a complete list of personal equipment required for our rafting 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 FOOTWEAR OPTIONS

On a multi-day rafting trip, you'll split your time between camp and being on the water. When you're rafting during the day, you'll take out periodically to stretch your legs, go to the bathroom or do a very quick hike. Each day, you'll also take out for a longer period to have lunch and enjoy a longer hike to explore a particular area. While hikes vary in length, all are on rugged and uneven terrain, often up old creek beds, through some brush, or on sandy dunes. There is a variety of footwear combinations you can bring on these trips, and everyone prefers something different. You can bring a shoe for every occasion, or you can double up in functionality and only bring the bare minimum.

• WATER SHOES OR SANDALS - Water shoes come in different styles but all are designed to get wet and have a soft but grippy sole. Brands like Astral, Teva Chaco, and Keen make great water shoes and also make popular adventure sandals. This type of footwear is best paired with a thick neoprene sock because your feet will definitely get wet and you want to keep them warm in the glacial water. Sometimes a shoe/sandal like this can function as your camp shoe too, but consider having another option if these are wet.
• RAIN BOOT - If you prefer to keep your feet completely dry, you may prefer a rain boot to a water shoe/sandal. We will provide you with a very basic rubber boot but if you have your own nice pair of Xtratufs or Muck Boots, you will be more comfortable in those. Paired with a thick, wool sock, rain boots can create a cozy feel even on a chilly day and are often worn around camp and even on short hikes.
• HIKING SHOES OR BOOTS - A medium to heavy, waterproof hiking boot or shoe is highly recommended for folks with any type of mobility issues, and a high-top option is best for anyone with weak knees or ankles. While trail runners might work well for some people, others may choose a more supportive option with a thicker sole as the hiking is quite rugged and always on uneven terrain. Make sure your boots are broken in already so you don't get blisters while hiking!
• CAMP SHOE - It can be nice to have a dedicated shoe to wear at camp, but you can easily double up with one of the above options. A slip-on sandal like a Croc can be easy, but if you don't like sand in your socks, consider something a little more covered, like a basic tennis shoe.

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 АССЕРТАBLE, 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 on the river. This is the first layer over the polypro long underwear top. It can be wool, Capilene, "expedition weight" long underwear, light fleece, etc. Patagonia's R1 series is a good example of this.
• INSULATING LAYER - Another layer! Make this a warm fleece jacket - wind-resistant fleece is great for the downriver winds we often encounter. A thick wool sweater, a synthetic puffy jacket, or a lightweight down jacket can be also be used here, but remember that once down is wet, it loses all insulating ability, so fleece tends to work best in Alaska.
• RAIN JACKET - We recommend bringing either heavyweight-coated nylon (such as Helly Hansen gear) or a high-quality Gore-Tex jacket (not your 10-year-old standby--it's just too stormy in Alaska). Exceptional GoreTex rain gear is made by Arc'Teryx, Marmot and Patagonia. PONCHOS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. Wind and brush make them almost useless. We will bring some heavy raingear as a backup, but your own will be more comfortable.
• RAIN PANTS - Again, we recommend a heavyweight coated nylon or a high-quality pair of Gore-Tex rain pants.
• SOCKS - You should have 3-5 pairs of wool or synthetic socks. Sock selection varies on personal preference, but we recommend heavyweight socks to wear inside rubber boots on cold river days and inside your sleepingbag at night. SmartWool, Thorlo and Dahlgren make excellent socks.
• 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 EQUIPMENT

• DAY PACK - All of our trips have the option for short or long day hikes along the river, and a fanny pack or small daypack to carry lunch, water, binoculars, etc. is a must if you want to participate in these adventures.
• SLEEPING BAG - It has been known to snow during any month in Alaska. A good three-season sleeping bag rated to 10-15 degrees is a must. We recommend a synthetic bag as it will keep you warm even if it gets wet (down will loose insulating properties if it gets wet!). 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) are not as comfortable to sleep on as the camps can be rocky, but the pads can be nice to have along if you'd like to lay out by the river or do some yoga or stretching.
• WATER BOTTLE - We'll always have water on the rafts so bring a single water bottle to keep yourself hydrated.
• 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!
• 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.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 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.
• EYE MASK + EAR PLUGS - There are no black-out blinds on our tents, so if you think you might have trouble sleeping under the midnight sun or next to a noisy tent mate, consider an eye mask and ear plugs to assist.
• THERMOS: We'll provide you with a mug to drink out of but you might consider a 16oz thermos for additional warmth throughout the day or at camp (Thermos, Hydroflask).
• 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.
• 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!
• JOURNAL + PENCIL - Bring a notebook and writing utensil if you'd like to document, journal, or sketch - Rite In The Rain makes waterproof notebooks of different formats.
• BINOCULARS - Nice to have for animal sightings and views of the distant peaks.

PROVIDED 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 may 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.
• RAFTING EQUIPMENT- We'll supply all the rafting equipment, including the boats, frames, oars, etc. You will be seated on old sleeping pads for a soft and warm surface. You will be supplied a PFD and be required to wear it while on the water.
• DRY BAGS - We'll issue each participant a 110L and a 25-35L dry bag for you to store all your stuff in while we float. Think of them as your "carry on" and "checked bag" - the smaller bag will be accessible throughout the day and should contain things like your camera, a jacket, a water bottle, etc. The bigger bag will contain everything else including your sleeping bag and pad. These will be packed away on the boats each day when you pack up camp and will become available again when you reach the next camp and start unloading the boats. If you'd like to bring your own dry bags, that's totally fine, just let us know!
• FOOD + COOKING EQUIPMENT + FUEL- We'll bring everything we need for cooking delicious meals in the backcountry and both the food and cooking supplies will be stored on the boats. At each camp we'll set up a kitchen and you'll learn where to find anything you need. Snacks will be readily available and disbursed daily so you can always have something to munch on nearby.
• CAMP COMFORTS - At each camp, we'll set up some camp chairs for you to hang out and relax in. We'll bringsome games to play and also a small "expedition library" with books on local flora, fauna, geology, and historyas well as some maps so you can learn more about the journey. There will also be a handwashing station for you to use as well as hand sanitizer available.
• TOILET SUPPLIES - On rafting trips, we'll set up a "groover", or plastic camp toilet at each camp in a discrete location. The setup will have toilet paper and a hand washing station. If you have to go during the day, the guides will provide you with toilet paper and a one-time-use "wag bag" for poops. We do have to pack out all of our waste, but the guides will take care of it so you don't need to worry about carrying anything on you.
• 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.

This is a Moderate Rafting Trip. No special physical training or camping experience is required. We recommend our rafting trips to anyone looking for a wilderness experience at a very comfortable pace, those wanting to spend quality time with their group, or those hoping to relax while still seeing a lot. Kids ages 8+ are welcome.

Our Alaska Rafting Trips are scenic floats through incredible wilderness and on all of our trips you’ll hit Class II-III rapids. The glacial rivers we float run fast and cold so we take a conservative approach, allowing everyone to have a fun and splashy time while mitigating the risks the water presents to the boats and rafters.

On Rafting Trips, you can expect to go on a short hike or two each day, usually 1-3 miles total and up to ~200ft of elevation gain. Please keep in mind that there is no truly “easy” hiking terrain in the Wrangells, and often the coolest places require a little extra effort to get to. There aren’t any trails where you’re headed, so most hikes will be up dry creek beds or along the brushy edges of the river. Longer and more challenging side hikes may be accessible, depending on the trip.

You will be camping in the rugged wilderness with no manmade shelters, toilets, or really any type of development.

We usually start to take bookings for multi-day trips in the late fall. We recommend booking your Rafting 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 “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.

Our wilderness trip guides are the best of the best! They have worked for us as day guides for at least one full season, have extensive experience in the backcountry, advanced wilderness medical training, a good head on their shoulders, and are also fun and personable people to spend a few days or a few weeks with. They love what they do and want to make sure you have the best experience possible.

Our guides come in many shapes and sizes and from many different backgrounds. We assign guides to individual trips 2-4 weeks prior to the trip and do our best to match their personalities to yours and your group’s. Your guide plans to contact you 1-2 weeks before the trip to introduce themselves and answer any last-minute questions you might have. Our schedule is as dynamic as our environment and we apologize if this doesn’t happen or isn’t as timely due to busy schedules and/or last-minute scheduling additions and changes.

Likely, at some point or another, at least a little bit, yes. On a Rafting Trip, you can help the guides unload the boats, set up camp, and carry your dry bag(s) to your tent nearby. After breakfast, you can help take down camp and load up the boats.

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. On rafting trips, we carry a plastic toilet box with a seat that is set up near camp and your guides will carry out all waste on the boats.

Your guides will instruct you on the particulars of the situation per camp to set you up for success and all possible comfort. Please don’t be shy to ask them questions on this matter. It’s a necessity that has been given lots of thought your guides are experts in ALL things outdoors!

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 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.

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!

This trip is offered as a group trip or private trip. Both options have a maximum of 12 guests.

We guarantee the 4-6 Participant Rate for all of our Group Rafting Trips even if less than 4 people sign up. If more than 6 people sign up, we will lower the rate accordingly so you get the best deal!

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 12 participants for rafting 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.

For both Group and Private Trips, we work with a ratio of 1:3 for rafting trips. This helps with any pacing or interest discrepancies and provides additional support for bigger groups.