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Details
Itinerary Listed Below
Activities
Backpacking
Rafting
Sea Kayaking
Camping
Wildlife Viewing
Flight Seeing
Glacier Hikes
Optional Ice Climbing
Historic Tour
Trip Length
15-Days, 14-Nights
Includes
Meals Listed
Instruction
Kayak Equipment
2 nights Hotel
Guide Services
Park Fees
RT Flight Listed
Difficulty:
Moderate to Strenuous especially Backpacking
Departure Dates:
June 11
July 2, 23
August 13 |
Custom Dates Available? YES
Departure:
Valdez, Alaska
Tour Price:
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A "High" Adventure Trip.
This Multi-Activity tour of Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Prince William Sound is designed for the traveler interested in a 14 day vacation filled with spectacular scenery, wildlife, and activity. Novice or experienced backpacker, rafters, and kayakers welcome.
Sample Itinerary-
Explore more of Alaska than just the water on one of our backpacking/rafting/kayaking combo tours. Both the Chugach Mountains and the Wrangell Mountains are areas of great exploration opportunity. We hike in remote settings guaranteed to be true wilderness. There is a beaten path in Alaska, and these tours take you beyond it.
Considered the most beautiful area in Alaska, Wrangell St. Elias is also the largest National Park in the United States. From the quaint town of McCarthy we depart on our journey across glaciers and mountain passes. We set camp both on the glaciers as well as in open meadows and along streams. Daily hikes range from moderate to strenuous and are always rewarding. The sights are inspiring with 16,000 foot peaks and 360 degree views of mountains and glaciers.
Day 1 - Meeting the first morning, the group will have a brief orientation before traveling north in our van toward Wrangell St. Elias National Park. The van ride, about 4-5 hours, takes us through beautiful canyons and across open forests. The group is treated to panoramic views of both the Chugach and Wrangell St. Elias Mountains. Our destination is the quaint town of McCarthy where we meet our backpacking guide and spend the afternoon both enjoying the small town and preparing for the backpacking tour. Once packed, we hike to the base of the root glacier for the first night of camping.
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Day 2-4 - We cross the Dramatic Root Glacier clad with crampons on our boots and hike north toward the Donoho Peak Wilderness. The Donoho Peak Wilderness trip takes backpacking a step beyond, and allows us to fully experience one of Alaska's true wonders - "glaciers". We will get a whole different view from the tide water glacier we visit later in the tour . Camp will be set in the rolling tundra at the base of Donoho Peak. This section of the tour incorporates basic wilderness skills and is an introduction to off-trail , Alaskan-style hiking and glacier trekking. From this western edge of the Root Glacier we can take advantage of several options including: trying our hand at ice climbing, climbing 6,696 foot Donoho Peak, exploring a spectacular section of the Root or Kennicott Glaciers, or simply hiking through the spruce forest to picnic alongside an alpine lake.
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Day 5 - The hike back to McCarthy takes us back across the ice and into the ghost town of Kennicott. Once a thriving copper mine, Kennicott is packed with a rich history. We will have a chance to walk around the ruins of the mine and capture some Alaskan history. We then get treated to hot showers, warm beds, and a fresh cooked meal. We will stay in McCarthy for the evening.
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Day 6 - We awaken bright and early for our departure down the river. The put in for the river is walking distance from our lodge. The first part of the morning will involve instruction, packing, and preparation and then we push off for our four day journey.
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Day 7-9 - Rafting down the Chitna River will treat us to full days of class III whitewater. We will also enjoy panoramic views and comfortable campsites along the river. The evenings are topped off with fine Dutch Oven cookery and stories around the campfire. Day eight is another scenic float to where the river meets the road just outside of the tiny town of Chitna. A relaxing van ride brings us back to Valdez for a free afternoon and evening to stroll around town and enjoy a private room at one of the local bed & breakfasts.
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Day 10 - Another early start with a meeting at the Pangaea Adventures base for the packing of the kayaks. Paddle out of Valdez for a sea kayaking journey to our final destination, Columbia Glacier. Our first camp site will be Shoup Glacier State Park.
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Day 11 - Explore the upper bay of Shoup Glacier State Park and enjoy sites of a calving glacier and floating blue ice. This area is also surrounded by towering mountains and cascading waterfalls. The campsite offer flat tent sites and spectacular views.
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Day 12 - Paddle on to Sawmill Bay State Park. Even more dramatic coastline than the previous day, we are treated to waterfalls a couple hundred feet tall, and emerald blue water. It is common to see eagles perched in the trees above. An evening paddle through Bears Kitchen is always exciting!
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Day 13 - A rest day of sorts. We cruise further along the coastline to our favorite campsite in Prince William Sound. This remote beach offers an open view of the eastern Prince William Sound and offers a chance to relax, read, or bath in the small waterfall at the end of the beach.
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Day 14 - The longest day of paddling but very rewarding. After a long cliff lines stretch of coastline, we are treated to our first view of Columbia Glacier in the peaceful Heather Bay. Our campsite is set among ancient rainforest and ponds of lilies. If you have the energy, take a walk through the moss covered woods.
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Day 15 - Our final day and a very exciting finish. We paddle out into the floating ice field and explore the strange and enchanting ice bergs. Just like you see in the pictures, the ice fields are brilliant blue Hughes and sounds of crackling ice. By early afternoon the motor boat arrives for our speedy transport back to Valdez and the finish to our tour.
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