Wrangell-St. Elias is Alaska's largest National Park, ranging from 2 mountain ranges to the wild Gulf of Alaska. Remote Icy Bay,6 0 miles west of Yakutat and only accessible by bushplane or fishing boat, is emerging from the Ice Age. Glaciers, thousands of years in the making are fed by 600 inches of snow each year, and they crawl their way to the sea, chiseling out valleys and sculpturing mountains along the way.
Kayak through icebergs in the shadow of 18,008-ft. Mt. St. Elias (third highest mountain in North America), into fjords that didn't even exist 30 years ago. Be one of the few explorers to ever venture into this wild country, as we discover new land beneath the receding glaciers.
The St. Elias Icefield mantles the peaks, glaciers pouring into the sea. We paddle up to the faces of glaciers and climb onto moraines, while seals and otters amidst a host of waterfowl and birds. Brown bears ply the beach and we camp to the sound of calving glaciers.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive by Alaska Airlines jet in Yakutat. Meet at airport, and drive to our lodgings. Explore Yakutat area by van, driving out to the beach, Situk River, or other areas of interest. Dinner together at a local restaurant or inn.
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Days 2-8: Departing by charter plane from Yakutat, we fly over Yakutat Bay and the Malaspina Glacier, largest piedmont glacier in North America (the size of Rhode Island) Landing in Icy Bay, we assemble our sturdy folding kayaks and paddle our way deep into the bay of glaciers.
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Day 3:
Traveling by kayak, we paddle into the upper reaches of the fjords. Floating with the tides (Tides up to 20 feet change every 6 hours), we explore quiet coves, rugged cliffs, and the thundering face of massive tidewater glaciers.
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Day 4:
Some days we may take strenuous hikes up ridges and into pristine, unknown valleys. We camp on sandy beaches above high tide, dwarfed by the magnificent mountains, hanging glaciers and waterfalls all around. We establish a few different camps on gravel beaches throughout our stay in the fjord, depending upon the group’s interest, and the weather. Mt. St. Elias lies beyond the head of Tyndall (or Taan) Fjord, and we’ll try to paddle as far up this fjord as we can, depending upon how actively the glacier has been birthing icebergs All night long we can listen to the sound of ice calving from the glacier.
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Day 5:
Paddle and hike
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Day 6:
Paddle and Hike
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Day 7:
Paddle and Hike
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Day 8:
Day 8: Pick-up by charter bush plane and fly back to Yakutat. Depart via Alaska Airlines to the south. If you wish to spend an extra night in Yakutat, we can arrange an extra night at the lodge.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
2007 Trip Schedule:
July 7-14
Trip includes bush plane float from Yakutat, over the Malaspina Glacier, to Icy Bay.
We provide all group gear, and can accommodate special meal requests. Particpants will receive detailed information and gear list once we have received trip deposit.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
Ecotourism
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