1. Do I need mountaineering skills?
2.What gear do I need?
3. Where will we be?
4. What about all the hazards?
5. How much experience do I need?
6. What's the maximum group size we can take?
7. What's the best time to visit Alaska?
8. What food do we bring?
9. Trip Prices?
10 What's included/Not included?
11. Cancellation Policy?
12. Helpful Links.

1 Do I need mountaineering skills?

-- No. We guide trips that involve only trekking, though some may be strenuous. The majority of these trips in Alaska are off-trail, and at times involve hiking over moraines (boulder fields), scree slopes, across rivers, and tundra. None of this is easy. If you're a beginning backpacker, worry not. Trips are available, such as the Steamboat Hills walk in Wrangell St. Elias National Park and the Alaska's Kenai Peninsula which are better suited, with their well defined trails, camping sites, and less strenuous traverses.

top

2. What gear do I need?

I've started a blog where I've written (and am writing more and more) on gear and related stuff. You'll find some extensive commentary there about gear and backpacking and hiking trips, etc. Rain gear and keeping dry, down versus synthetic sleepings bags , backpacks, and so forth. I'll be adding plenty more as time goes by there, so do check out the blog posts for information - in the meantime this should help you get started below:

-- Unless specifically requested, gear will not be provided. Bring a sturdy backpacking tent. Lesser 'car camping' tents can fail miserably when you need them the most.

-- Good rain gear is a must. We recommend a lightweight, gore-tex type shell. A poncho-style rain jacket or shawl is NOT recommended.

-- A sleeping bag that will keep you warm down to 20deg (F) is what I suggest (or lower). A 32deg (F) bag would be considered bare minimum for most Alaskan summer adventures, and I wouldn't recommend it. Either synthetic fill bags, or down bags are great - you just need to keep them dry.

-- Bring a reliable stove, preferably one that burns white gas, or Coleman fuel. MSR 'Whisperlite' or similar stoves are great. Remember that with current restrictions on air travel, it is illegal to bring fuel onto commercial plane. We can provide fuel for you, available when you arrive in Alaska. Another stove that's very popular recently is the Jetboil.

-- Our preference is for long sleeve shirts and full length brushed nylon pants. A mosquito headnet is also recommended for those times when the bugs get bad.

-- Definitely bring sturdy, waterproof boots. Your lightweight day hikers may be fine around town, but they are often not durable enough to withstand an alpine adventure. A pair of water proof gaiters can be invaluable also.

- A comfortable backpack is required and a system for carrying gear on a dayhike is very handy. Many backpacks have removable tops, and these work great. A rain cover that fits your loaded pack is a must have!

The single most important element of gear is your ability to use it. Practice with your equipment before heading into the backcountry. Do not wait until you're miles into the wilderness before you realise your stove doesn't work, or you don't know how to set up your tent. Being comfortable with your equipment and how to use it can be paramount to a safe and enjoyable trip.

Visit our Gear Check List.

top

3 Where will we be?

-- Alaska is a huge state .. more than twice the size of Texas, and approximately 1/3 the size of the lower 48 states. Primarily, our adventures are to Alaska's interior, along the Canadian border in Wrangell-St. Elias NP, central Alaska in Denali NP, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (known as ANWR) in the far north, and the mountain ranges of the Kenai peninsula. Look for trips to Gates of the Arctic NP also. Contact us for information. Click here for a quick look at the various places on a map. For the year 2008, we are focusing on Wrangell St. Elias National Park for a photography book Carl is working on.

top

4. What about all the hazards?

-- A great trip is a safe one, and we take every precaution to ensure that clients are fully informed of how best to traverse the terrains, as well how to deal with any potential wildlife encounters. Seeing a moose or grizzly bear in the wild is an exhilirating experience, and not unusual. Knowing how to avoid surprising the animals, or attracting their attention is key to avoiding conflicts. Crossing rivers, scree slopes and glaciers are all potentially dangerous, and our experience and knowledge with the terrain is indispensable when traversing these regions. More off-trail backpacking notes.

top

5. How much experience do I need?

-- We work with all levels of backpackers, from the novice to the experienced trekker. In planning trips, you should be as honest as possible about your experience and confidence so trips can be organized accordingly. If you've never carried a backpack before, or camped in the wilderness, it takes longer to get used to than you think. However, we can accommodate your experience by scheduling a trip that works best for you. Basecamping and dayhiking is a great way to really explore an area, and means less time spent carrying the weight of a full pack. Conversely, those more experienced may wish to plan a trip that covers more miles, and crosses more difficult terrains. Regardless of your situation, the more preparation you put into your trip, the more rewarding it will be.

top

6. What's the maximum size group we can take?

-- Most trips will allow for a maximum of 5 or 6 hikers, plus one guide. Rarely will we schedule a group larger than that, for a number of reasons. Primarily, solitude. Most of these trips head into some pristine wilderness, and the impact of larger groups camping and trekking in those regions can be somewhat destructive to the fragile ecosystems there. The focus of our trips is to provide a wilderness experience, and keeping group sizes reasonable enhances that provision.

top

7. What's the best time of year to visit Alaska?

-- There is no one best time. The backpacking season is short this far north, and the season changes very quickly. Similarily, there is a very large variance of conditions depending on where you go. A trip to the Kenai peninsula in September is very different to Gates of the Arctic NP at the same time. Alaska is wonderful late August/early September, the tundra colors blaze with orange, golds, reds and every imaginable variation of these.

Typically, there are fewer bugs later in the year, with late May, June and early July the worst. May/June brings forth cute baby critters, blooming wildflowers, and the vibrancy of spring. It's largely a matter of deciding what works best for you, what you want to see, and how best to accommodate that. Snow can fall at any time in of the year, and weather is completely unpredictable. The days are longest during the latter weeks of June and first part of July, but those long glorious evenings last all the way up to late August.

top

8. What food do we bring?

-- Alaskan Alpine Treks offer all participants the option of either providing your own food, OR having us provide food for you. The prices posted on our site here do NOT include the additional cost incurred if you would like us to outfit the food for you. If you would like to have us provide some of the food and you bring your own lunches, say, do let us know and we can work that out as we prepare the trip.

If you would like to bring your own food, here's what we suggest for novice hikers: typically, freeze-dried 'mountain house' style dinners work well. They're fast, easy, lightweight, packable, and require very little cleanup. Less time preparing food allows for more time to enjoy the magnificent surroundings. They don't taste too bad either! For lunches, we recommend items that don't need to be cooked. Bagels, pita breads, nuts, dried fruit, candy bars, crackers, etc are great. Something hot for breakfast is a good start to the day, particularly if the weather is cold. Hot drinks such as hot cocoa, tea, or coffee can be very welcome at either end of the day.

Participants will have an opportunity to buy most items upon their arrival in Anchorage if necessary, though it's preferable that you arrive in Alaska ready to go. There are numerous large outdoors and grocery stores here, selling most items if you forget anything, or want to save on luggage space - but it's gernally more expensive, and a last minute hassle. After leaving Anchorage, there are few if any places available to stock up for your backcountry trip. Your food, etc, requirements should be finalized BEFORE leaving Anchorage.

top

9. Prices:

Trip dates are filled on a "first come" basis, so get in early to  ensure you get the dates and trip you would like. Book early!!!

Book Early!!!

Remember, the earlier you book, the better the possibility of matching up dates with your schedule. Contact Alaskan Alpine Treks today.

Please note: The ANWR trip includes all travel (return) from Fairbanks to Coldfoot, or from Fairbanks to Kaktovik, where we fly into the Refuge, as well as rafts, dry bags, etc. Because of the nature of backcountry adventure, trips vary year to year. Each of the trips is also available for longer or shorter durations, and trip prices vary accordingly. Similarily, group bookings (3 or more participants) can receive substantial discounts. For more information, contact us using the Contact Form at the link below.

All clients complete our backcountry waiver before departing for any of our trips.

top

10. What's Included/Not Included?

All trips and trip prices include the following:

    *  Professional Guide Service : Experience is paramount, as is a friendly, flexible atmosphere for your trip, and Alaskan Alpine Treks go out of our way to bring that to the backcountry. Carl knows the routes, the natural history and the place as well as anyone, and all the best campsites! Backcountry camping in Alaska can be intimidating for a novice, and even for some intermediate and experienced hikers, and a guide service can go a long way to minimizing problems that may come up. Customers returning for their fourth consecutive year hiking with Alaskan Alpine Treks speaks volumes for the value of a good guide.

    *  Travel and Accommodations: Alaskan Alpine Treks offer a complete Door-to-Door service. For example, for our Wrangell St. Elias National Park trips, we'll pick you up from your hotel in Anchorage, drive to McCarthy in our comfortable conversion van, stay the night at the Kennecott River Lodge, enjoy a hot breakfast the following morning in McCarthy, fly into the backcountry, backpack and hike, fly back to McCarthy, have the day in and around McCarthy, exploring the Kennecott Glacier, or the old mines up at Kennecott, spend another night at the Kennecott River Lodge, and drive back to Anchorage the final day. We will drop you wherever you need to stay in Anchorage. For the ANWR trip, we'll fly from Fairbanks to either Coldfoot or Kaktovik, and fly in to the backcountry from there.

    *  Gear: We can provide all stoves, cookware, fuel, etc for the trip. If you want to bring your own, let us know; we'll get the fuel you need, as it's not possible for you to fly with any fuel in your luggage. If you want a fully outfitted trip, we can arrange that, though you'll need to bring your personal gear, such as sleeping bag and backpack. We'll also provide bear resistant food cannisters and bear spray for the trip.

    *  Safety: Any professional guide service puts safety first; this means caution, it means responsibility and it means  an excellent knowledge of the area: the terrain, wildlife and travel, backcountry camping and safety, fully qualified Wilderness First Aid certification, and a satellite available for emergency backcountry service if necessary and two way radios for communication within the group if we split up at all. This is an owner-operated business, and all participants can feel confident knowing they're not getting an intern or inexperienced guide for their trip.

    *  Storage of any extra travels items that won't be needed while we're in the backcountry.

Alaskan Alpine Treks do not provide the following, unless otherwise specified.

a) food and camping gear -- Alaskan Alpine Treks will outfit your trip if you would like us to. For a minimal addition in cost, we are glad to supply food and camping gear (you will need your own personal gear, such as sleeping bag, pad, clothes, pack, etc). Any specific items you may need help with, just send us an email or give us a call and we'll work it ot for you.

b) travel arrangements to Anchorage from outside Alaska.

c) trip insurance.

d) guide gratuities.

top

11. Cancellation_policy:

Trip planning requires a 50% deposit. Deposits are generally non-refundable, unless there are some truly extenuating circumstances. Deposits on cancelled trips may be carried over to another trip. All trips MUST be paid in full 45 days prior to the scheduled departure date. No refunds are given for cancellations within 14 days of the trip departure. For a trip paid in full, 90% of the price can be deferred to another trip if the client has to cancel, provided 30 days notice is given. If cancellation is within 30 days of the trip, only 75% of the fee can be carried over to a future trip.

top

11. Helpful Links:

Take a look at our Links Page for helpful websites with information about parks, hiking, the outdoors, accomodations, etc, as well as some fantastic nature photography sites.

top