Wilderness Education in Alaska

Glacier / Alpine Trip Itineraries    Prices & Trip Planning

We provide aspiring explorers, both youth and adults, with a foundation for traveling safely through the wilderness. The skills you learn are good for life.

No backcountry experience is required, but we do encourage participants to have a strong desire to learn and be in reasonably fit condition. We operate entirely within the snow-free ablation zone of area glaciers, staying on white ice.

We operate entirely within the snow-free ablation zone of area glaciers, staying on white ice.

Glacier / Alpine Trips

Below you'll find general 3 day/4 night trip itineraries, as well as brief descriptions of extended 5 to 7 day glacier/alpine trips.

You can use this topo map to get an idea of the country we operate within, as well as possible camps and destinations for trips departing from our office in Kennicott.

We customize all trips to your particular needs & capabilities.

Glacier & Alpine Tour (3 days/4 nights)

This trip introduces visitors to both the Root Glacier and the alpine ridges above Kennicott.
We begin with the Root Glacier, a snow-free, 10-mile-long tongue of ice spilling off of Mt. Regal and the 7,000-foot, 2-mile wide Stairway Icefall. We then take you on a challenging hike into the mountains (2000+ vertical feet to camp) that justly rewards with enormous views of the glaciers, Mt. Blackburn, and the entire Kennicott River Valley. This itinerary includes day hikes on the glacier and in the alpine where we only carry day-packs.

- Day 1: arrive to McCarthy and set up camp alongside the Kennicott River, meeting your guide(s) at 5 p.m. for an introduction to the valley, trip preparation, and group dinner.
- Day 2: breakfast at camp; 10:00 a.m. shuttle up to Kennicott; glacier briefing & crampon fitting. Hiking 2 miles out to toe of glacier for lunch & dropping camp gear. After lunch, 5+ hour glacier hike, including dinner in the field.
- Day 3: breakfast & break down camp; Hike historic Bonanza mining road into the alpine, setting up gear at our Bonanza camp, exploring above tree-line.
- Day 4: hike for alpine ridges and/or Bonanza Mine ruins. Return to alpine camp by
@4:30 p.m., hiking 1.5 hours down to Kennicott for BBQ and trip conclusion. Shuttling to Kennicott River Lodge & Hostel for showers, lodging.

Glacier and Alpine Tour (5 to 7 days)

Extending the glacier and alpine tour gives us the opportunity to spend more time exploring the glaciers, without sacrificing a couple days in the alpine. In addition, there are opportunities for gaining the alpine from glacier-based camps with lighter day packs.

3 day/4 night youth price: $525 per person (based on 4 to 8 people): includes post-trip lodging at Kennicott River Lodge & Hostel, guides, all food & necessary gear. Additional days for $150 per person.

Contact us for a quote on groups smaller than 4 people.

A note on group size:
KWG believes in Low Impact. It is our preference and policy to split all larger groups into 6 clients and 2 guides, and send them all on their own adventure. We've found that larger groups than this can impact the wildlife (reducing sightings) and the often fragile ecosystems we are traveling through. We also believe it offers both a higher quality trip and a more enjoyable experience for both clients and guides.

Glacier Trips include
Walking crampons, harness, hardware. Guide carries climbing and safety gear. We provide cooking/meal gear and can help with other camping equipment, such as tents and sleeping pads, when needed. If possible we do prefer that students do provide own sleeping bags. If needing assistance the more notice the better.

What to bring for a trip on the glacier
-Wear comfortable clothing and bring at least one extra layer of fleece or something similar.
-Bring rain/wind gear, sun/baseball hat & sunglasses, warm hat, light gloves, water bottle, hearty lunch
-Wear sturdy boots or the most durable and supportive footwear available. Bring back-up warm socks.
-Enthusiasm and a desire to learn about and explore glaciers
-We will go over packing for trip / gear list once trip planning has begun
- Reasonable physical conditioning helps you enjoy your experience and get the most out of your trip. Novices welcomed.

Insurance
KWG purchases comprehensive liability insurance through Patterson Ltd in Anchorage. If you or your organization would like to be named as 'additionally insured' please let us know at least 3 weeks prior to trip. There is a $50 charge to be additionally insured. Clients must sign provided insurance waiver, as well as a medical 'red flag' form. Those under 18 must have a parent sign. Please contact us for forms.

Guides
Our guides are Alaskan experienced and have all spent time learning the areas they will be sharing with you.KWG guides have a minimum of Wilderness First Responder medical training, carry first aid kits & and are well-versed in area evacuation protocol.

Reservations
Reservations secured with a 50% deposit. Mail your deposit to Kennicott Wilderness Guides, P.O. Box 772983, Eagle River AK, 99577. A cancellation made more than 30 days prior to trip departure results in $125 per person fee.

Client Feedback
I would like to thank Kennicott Wilderness Guides, and especially you, Kevin Smith, and Chris Smith, for arranging three days of "on-the-ice" glacier training for the 14 boy scouts and dads from Winnetka Boy Scout Troop 20. Not only was the training invaluable, but the ease with which I was able to work out the arrangements with you via long-distance telephone and internet made the distance between Chicago and Alaska seem insignificant.
Everyone found the experience tremendously educational and fun. The scouts immediately adapted to crampons and learned about the details of traveling on glaciers and adapting to the special demands of cooking, etc., on ice. The ice climbing Kevin and Chris conducted was done safely and was greatly appreciated by those who had never rock climbed as well as those with rock climbing experience. In addition, the exercises Kevin and Chris conducted in assessing and crossing swiftly-flowing Alaskan rivers were put into practice later in our trip, when our hikers had to cross Toby Creek and the Chitistone River. We were extremely grateful that we had had instruction from your guides in a potentially life-threatening situation.
When I was setting up the trip, I was pretty sure our glacier training would be enjoyable, but I had no idea it would turn out to be so successful. I would urge any group visiting Wrangell/St. Elias for a backcountry trip to take advantage of your expert services. Not only does it enrich appreciation of the park, but it could also provide life-saving knowledge. Kevin's and Chris's enthusiasm and respect for the wilderness left an imprint on our scouts after the trip.
I have strongly recommended returning to Wrangell/St. Elias for future senior scout "high adventure" trips, and I have also recommended that similar, if not greater, engagements of Kennicott Wilderness Guides be considered as an indispensable part of those trips.
I would be happy to speak to anyone considering using your organization to give them greater background on what we did and what you did for us.

Tom Joyce
459 Provident Ave.
Winnetka, IL 60093