7 days of backpacking, flying into the backcountry from McCarthy, AK.
This route traverses around two striking, massively prominent peaks in the western corner of the St. Elias Range. As we circumnavigate these peaks by traveling over their lower slopes, through their high passes, and along their mid elevation ridges you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of three of the four major mountain ranges that comprise Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: the Wrangells to the west, the St. Elias to the east, and the Chugach to the south.
The trip begins with one of many highlights: a charter flight with jaw-dropping views into a precipitous alpine valley that requires flying in one-at-a-time via Piper Super Cub. Once the group is assembled in the backcountry, we start our relatively short trek up valley and eventually camp along the creek in view of the University Range’s (a sub range of the St. Elias Mountains) southwestern high peaks and hanging glaciers.
The next day is longer as we hike up a ridge, over a pass, and down a gully as we begin our traverse around the first major peak of the route. Every night the camping along the route is spectacular, and this evening is no exception. On day three we cross a rock glacier and then continue over the lower slopes of that first major peak eventually making camp in an area known for its spectacular alpine wildflowers.
Day four involves ascending over the remaining lower ridges of the first major peak and then hiking up valley beside more rock glaciers. On day five we ascend a broad ridge to the shoulder of the trip’s second major peak, going through a high pass that was previously glaciated but is now just a snowfield, and descend along the biggest rock glacier of the trip to camp near the highest elevation historic mining prospects in the region.
On day six we’ll be getting our feet wet as we descend a valley that may involve numerous creek crossings. We’ll pass old mining relics as we make our way to a historic mining camp where we’ll spend our last night. We spend time exploring this historic area tonight and early the next day.
The final day has us hiking on an old mining road to a prominent landing strip that continues to serve a very small community of present-day miners. We’ll be flown out from here, typically in a plane large enough to fit everyone in the group.
This route is ~24 miles with ~9000 vertical feet of ascending and descending. To participate you should be physically and mentally prepared for hiking ~3.5 miles over rough terrain with a ~55 lb pack each day.
Rates:
- Private Solo (1 person): $7000
- Private Couple (2 people): $4250 each
- Private Group (3 people): $3500 each
- Private Group (4-6 people): $3200
- Non-Private Group (4-6 people): $3200 each
Itinerary:
- Pre-trip: Evening meeting in McCarthy for introductions, trip overview, personal gear check, and distribution of group gear and food (pre-packed in bear-resistant canisters).
- Day 1: Morning rendezvous in McCarthy. We’ll take a van shuttle to the airport to get flown into the backcountry. Start trekking!
- Days 2-6: Trek, camp, eat, sleep, repeat in sublime wilderness.
- Day 7: Last day of trekking. Get picked up for the return to McCarthy.
Trips can be shorter or longer depending on client needs and interests. Rates and itinerary above are based on a 7-day trip.