Alaska is the real thing. The wildlife, mountains, rivers, glaciers, waterfalls and the lakes all have a scale and beauty that will refresh you in a lasting way. Even Anchorage is surrounded by snow capped mountains and wildlife that occasionally decides to visit downtown
Our trek takes place within the Wrangle St Elias Park, which is about the size of England, and is part of a world heritage site of 24 million acres, the world's largest internationally protected area.
Our base point, the town of McCarthy, has a winter population of 40 people, no running water, no mains electricity or gas, but a great we come from our alpine guides. The area has an abundance of wildlife. Herds of caribou and moose are found in the lowlands, with black and grizzly hears and Dall mountain sheep roaming throughout the park. The rivers and lakes provide spawning grounds for fish such as giant salmon and major nesting sites for birds like the trumpeter swan
Participants in the Alaska Wilderness Challenge will experience this landscape in a safe but challenging way. During the trek you learn about safe ice climbing and glacier exploration techniques, climb and descend ridges, ford rivers and safe travel in hear country. You will need to be fit enough to carrying your personal equipment for a week, to live and co-exist within a true wilderness which, will be a demanding experience
Those who join The Alaskan Wilderness Challenge will come away with a great sense of achievement, new skills, new friends and a new knowledge of nature at its roost beautiful and dramatic.
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Day 1 - Anchorage
We meet in the rooming at Heathrow Airport and fly to Anchorage. Transfer to the Inlet Towers Hotel for our first night in Alaska.
Day 2 - Northern Exposure
The journey from Anchorage to McCarthy, along the Glen Highway, takes about 9 hours, but it will be a journey you will never forget. You will see mountain after mountain, glaciers, lakes, forests, waterfalls and wildlife Stops at Matanuska Glacier, Chugach Range viewpoint and Liberty Falls will enable you to enjoy this wilderness first-hand The last 60 miles will take two-and-a-half hours as we travel into the heart of the Wrangell St Elias National Park We camp in McCarthy by the St Elias Alpine Guide HQ.
Day 3 - Pancakes and Maple Syrup
We start our day at Ma Johnson's Lodge with a classic Alaskan breakfast of pancakes and lashings of maple syrup The trek will start with a four mile drive up the valley from McCarthy along the old railroad bed to the mining ghost town of Kennecott, where we will spend some time exploring a deserted 14 storey copper mine. After lunch we hike along the Root Glacier. In the evening we will make first camp by Amazon Creek.
Day 4 - The Root Glacier
We start the day by learning about safe glacier techniques and then we cross to the western side of the Root Glacier. In the evening we will camp on the banks of the glacier with our eyes peeled for black bear and moose
Day S - The Stairway Icefall
Today we start by climbing the beautiful Root Glacier. As we explore this area the view will become truly panoramic. We will soon be having breathtaking views of the upper Root Glacier, the 7,oooft Stairway Icefall and Bonanza Peak on the opposite side of the valley. We arrive in the afternoon at base camp below Donoho Peak by the side of a breathtaking alpine lake
Day 6 - Donoho Peak
An early start for the stronger participants with a climb to the top of 6, 800 ft Donoho Peak From this viewpoint, with the St Elias range to the east, the coastal mountains to the south and the 16,390ft Mt. Blackburn directly to the west, it is easy to understand why this area has been described as one of the greatest mountaineering parks in North America After an assessment of weather conditions and group fitness from the Alpine guides we may head into a wooded area for the afternoon, that will provide a contrast to the stark alpine beauty of the last Jew days. We continue with some bushwhacking and what the Alaskans call 'bog slogging' to get to the Gates Glacier.
Day 7 - Gates Glacier
Today we start by following the rocky sides above the Gates Glacier and then descend to cross it at the point where it meets the Kennicott Glacier There is a chance to climb an unnamed ridge at the point where the Gates Glacier and the ridge starts its long majestic sweep into the heart of the Wrangell is. From this point you will have spectacular views of the immense Kennicott Glacier and we will pause along the way to take in one last panorama of the amazing Wrangell St Elias Park, before we drop down for the night.
Day 8 - Kennicott Glacier
Today we have the opportunity to "hit the trail" and leave the Gates Glacier by traversing the Kennecott Glacier and passing Donoho Island. Once on the Western side of the island we spend the day exploring the immense Kennicott Glacier before we start the hike back towards McCarthy via ice and rock.
Day 9 - Wood Heated Sauna
Our final day in The Wrangells we should wake to spectacular views of the mighty Rime, Parka and Atna Peaks before arriving at the Kennicoft Glacier Trail We'll be driven back to McCarthy in time for dinner and a wood heated sauna - heaven!
Day 10 - Leaving McCarthy
Leisurely drive back to Anchorage taking same route as day 2.
Day 11 - Home
Early morning flight back to UK.
This itinerary is subject to change
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