Trip Length

• 5-Days, 4-Nights

Price Includes

• -Meals Listed in Itinerary
• -Group camping gear
• -Tents & Sleeping Kit
• -Guide Services
• -Motoboat Transportation
• -Park Fees

 

Difficulty

• Moderate - Strenuous

 

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - We'll meet at our Valdez office in the am to take a van shuttle into the interior to the forgotten town of Chitina on the western edge of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. From there, you’ll catch a scenic flight-see into McCarthy/Kennicott in the heart of the park. We then hike to the base of the Root Glacier for the first night of camping. Throughout the day, the group will be treated to panoramic views of both the Chugach and Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 2 - Clad with crampons on our feet, we set out to explore and traverse the Root Glacier. This glacier crossing is always a good challenge and exposes the group to crevasses, blue ice, glacial streams, moulins, and all of the wonders of glacier ice. We will set camp in the Donoho Wilderness Area. The views are out of this world! (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 3 - A hike over the tundra below Donoho Peak will bring us out to a wonderful lake where we will enjoy lunch with a view. We commonly see fox, bear, and other wildlife in this area. We will spend the night at another camp in the Donoho Wilderness. A lightweight backpackers meal always hits the spot on a day like this. (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 4 - A stomp down the Kennicott Glacier will bring us to a classic camping perch not far from where we stayed night 2 at the convergence of the Root and Kennicott Glaciers. We will take it easy in the afternoon so that we have the energy to make the glacier crossing on the last day. (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 5 - After a hot breakfast we again put the crampons on our feet and hike across the Root Glacier and then back to McCarthy, possibly in time to inspect some of the local history before flying out. Our flight will get us back to Chitina by 5:30pm, from where we'll van back to Valdez, arriving around 8pm to end the tour. (Breakfast) (Lunch)