Custom Trips

    Let's plan a custom trip for you.

    Rather than build a separate webpage for every single trip option available in Alaska, this page collates and explains some of the potential trips and possibilities for you. There are virtually endless options available. The more adventurous you are and the more your skill set matches your interest, the more creative we can get with putting something together for you. Read on.

    Trip Combinations

    Want to put your own trip together? Look over the options of trips on offer and inquire about a combination of options that appeal to you; rafting, sea kayaking, packrafting, photography, hiking and backpacking. One great option is a combination sea kayaking trip with a few days basecamping & dayhiking. Icy Bay and Iceberg Lake, or Icy Bay and a few days over at Samovar Hills.

    How about backpacking Hidden Creek with a packraft trip down the Lakina River (Class II – III+ water) to finish? One great adventure is the Malaspina Glacier trip, combining a multi-day backpack and glacier traverse, with packrafting and hiking the Lost Coast. This could be anywhere from 7 – 14 days, depending on the route and options.

    Another combination might be a 3-day packraft trip from the headwaters of the Alatna River to the Arrigetch Peaks, a quick walk to the peaks, then continue on downriver to our takeout.

    Another multi-sport trip might be a few days basecamped at Skolai Pass, followed by a backpack down the Goat Trail and a 2 day packraft trip down the Chitistone/Nizina Rivers. The options are endless, the logistics are open, and the adventure as big or as benign as you choose it to be.

    Give me a call @ +1-907-215-9102 to discuss what might work.

    The Noatak River

    Coming in 2025 we have 2 awesome adventures you’ll love. A basecamp at the Upper Headwaters of the Noatak River, and a weeklong packraft trip down the Noatak River. Both trips perfect for novice to intermediate adventurers. No boating experience needed.

    Dates are below.

    2 New Noatak River Trips

    Packraft the Noatak River

    July 8-15, 2025.

    $5200 ea.

    A week long float down one of Alaska’s favorite rivers.

    Explore the Brooks Range and Alaska's Noatak River. Gates of the Arctic National Park.
    Explore the Brooks Range and Alaska’s Noatak River. Gates of the Arctic National Park.

    Noatak River basecamp

    July 24-28, 2025.

    $5200 ea.

    Basecamp and explore the headwaters of the Noatak River.

    Excellent hiking around the Noatak River, northern Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic National Park.
    Excellent hiking around the Noatak River, northern Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic National Park.

    Exploratory Treks Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    Thompson Ridge and Juniper Island

    An exploratory route for this year; I’ve hiked part of this route a couple of times, but we’re planning on doing the whole section this coming summer. Packrafts in hand, we’ll hike west to east, along the coast of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. We’ll have (weather permitting) great views of the mighty St. Elias Mountain Range nearby, without the task of constantly climbing and descending; on one hand, it’ll be easy, with no elevation loss/gain. On the other, it’s one of the least visited areas of the park, indeed of Alaska, and we’ll have numerous opportunities to explore this little traveled region. Expect this trip to be simply dripping with solitude.

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    Samovar Hills & the Malaspina Glacier Traverse

    Have you ever wanted to hike across the largest piedmont glacier (meaning the glacier’s terminus is on land) in the world? In 2012 we walked from the St. Elias Mountain Range across the Malaspina Glacier to the Alaska coast at Yakutat Bay. The Malaspina Glacier, generally regarded by geologists to be a piedmont glacier, actually reaches the Pacific Ocean. Some friends and I confirmed this on a month long expedition in Nov 2011.

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    Capital Mountain

    This is a great area for beginners to intermediate hikers. The broad open expanse of the tundra on Capital Mountain offers big views – huge views, even. The walking here is mostly brush free, easier than much of the steeper mountains to the south, but with views second to none. Capital Mountain lies immediately north of 16 237′ Mt. Sanford.

    Wildlife are present, though not usually in great numbers. Moose and bears most likely, and possibly mountain goats as well.

    Looking for a simple, easy trip to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve? The Capital mountain hike could be what you’re looking for. We fly in from Glennallen, which saves the long drive to McCarthy. A short flight drops us on the north side of Capital Mountain. From there we can basecamp and dayhike, or do a traverse around the mountain. This is a good option for a 4 or 5 day easy walk, with plenty of exploratory side hikes along the way. Caribou, moose, bear and wolves live in the area, as do Dall sheep.

    Gates of the Arctic National Park

    “The Gates”, on the Koyukuk River: A 2nd trip option we’ll consider at a later date is a return to the Gates themselves, on the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River. The Gates area is a little more accessible, though still a fly-in trip. This a great area for a week long hike in the Brooks Mountains. These 2 trips both fly in from the Dalton Highway at Coldfoot. Either of the trips can be a “point to point” trip, or a loop hike, or a basecamp and day hike trip. Either can be combined with a packraft adventure for the ultimate artic travel.

    1 week to 2 weeks is good, and timing is really pretty flexible in Gates of the Arctic, but before the end of August is recommended; old man winter comes early up north!

    Denali State Park

    A great place for a hike. Kesugi Ridge-Curry Ridge offers a nice trail system, and is a perfect option for someone looking for an easier walk, or a good introductory Alaska backpacking trip. Send us an inquiry if you think you might like to consider this. 

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    exploratory route image. Wrangell St. Elias
    Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    Exploratory Routes

    Grab your boots and let’s get out there.

    Categories Backpacking
    Duration 8-12 Days
    Group Size 1-4 People
    Difficulty

    Challenging

    On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, four hiking boots is toward the tougher end of the course.

    1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
    2 boots = easier backpacking trip
    3 boots = intermediate level trip
    4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
    5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?

    Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states. We might call something intermediate-advanced, and it may well be the toughest trip you’ve ever done in your life. Just understand that these metrics aren’t perfect.

    You’ll find some good, easier walking, but also encounter sidehill or moraine and talus, or dense brush such as alder or willow.

    The challenges aren’t generally so much in the distance we cover, or the elevation gain and loss. Most backpackers are surprised just how far we do NOT go on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The challenges are in the terrain you’re walking over, and how well you adapt to those. Some people do great walking on boulders, and other people struggle to the very last stone. I can’t tell you how well you’ll do on a specific route, but we’ll do our best to work with you to match you with a trip that fits your experience and backpacking level.

    Most people will call these trips tough. They just haven’t done the 5 hiking boot trips.

    Backpacking across glacial moraine, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
    Backpacking across glacial moraine, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
    Explore This Trip
    Arrigetch Peaks Aalska Backpacking trip Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska.
    Gates of the Arctic National Park

    Arrigetch Peaks Backpacking Trip

    Access the Alpine. A Remarkable Arctic Adventure.

    Categories Backpacking
    Duration 8-12 Days
    Group Size 1-5 people
    Difficulty

    Strenuous

    On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, five hiking boots is right up there.

    1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
    2 boots = easier backpacking trip
    3 boots = intermediate level trip
    4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
    5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?

    Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.

    Expect it to be tougher than you think it will. At least in part, anyway. Some sections will inevitably be easier. Some will make you feel it.

    Tough backpacking in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
    How do we down from here? Tough backpacking in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

    One of the best hikers I’ve walked with, Ben, said it perfectly one day, as we traversed a step sidehill on the Southern Traverse. “Man, Alaska just beats you up, doesn’t it?”

    And he’s right. It does. Don’t be fooled by the low mileages and the lower elevations. The catch is the difficulty of traversing rugged country with no trails. However much you think that might impact you, double it.

    You need to be athletic, well balanced, in good shape, and an experienced backpacker for this kind of trip. If you’re not that .. well, don’t say you weren’t well warned.

    A backpacking adventure in a place like no other. Hike the Brooks Range and camp beneath the soaring Arrigetch Peaks. And finish with a packraft adventure down the Alatna River.

    Explore the Arrigetch
    lakina-river-packrafting
    Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    Lakina River Packrafting Trip

    Pack It In. Pack it Out. Come Paddle the Lakina River.

    Categories Packrafting
    Duration 2-4 Days
    Group Size 1-4 People
    Difficulty

    Challenging

    On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, four hiking boots is toward the tougher end of the course.

    1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
    2 boots = easier backpacking trip
    3 boots = intermediate level trip
    4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
    5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?

    Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states. We might call something intermediate-advanced, and it may well be the toughest trip you’ve ever done in your life. Just understand that these metrics aren’t perfect.

    You’ll find some good, easier walking, but also encounter sidehill or moraine and talus, or dense brush such as alder or willow.

    The challenges aren’t generally so much in the distance we cover, or the elevation gain and loss. Most backpackers are surprised just how far we do NOT go on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The challenges are in the terrain you’re walking over, and how well you adapt to those. Some people do great walking on boulders, and other people struggle to the very last stone. I can’t tell you how well you’ll do on a specific route, but we’ll do our best to work with you to match you with a trip that fits your experience and backpacking level.

    Most people will call these trips tough. They just haven’t done the 5 hiking boot trips.

    Backpacking across glacial moraine, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
    Backpacking across glacial moraine, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    Intermediate

    On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, three hiking boots is smack in the middle.

    1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
    2 boots = easier backpacking trip
    3 boots = intermediate level trip
    4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
    5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?

    Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.

    If you consider yourself up for an intermediate level hike, for example, assume that a trip rated intermediate here will probably be a bit tougher than you’re expecting; not impossible, but harder than you think. Intermediate level trips don’t mean you won’t be challenged, won’t struggle at times, and won’t have any easy sections either. On any trip you’ll probably find some easy sections, some harder, and some are challenging.

    Backpacking in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
    Backpacking in Chugach Mountains, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    Also, understand that all these rating are so completely subjective that they’re not entirely all together practical. They’re a VERY loose idea of how the trips might compare to one another, for some people.

    Lastly, understand that even a trip we might rate as “intermediate” (3-4 hiking boots) may still have some difficulty at times. Weather changes things. There may be a tough steep climb on the route that takes a few hours.

    One of the most popular packrafting trips in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Class II and III water, a fun paddle. Some whitewater experience required.

    Love the Lakina
    Cross country skiing trip in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
    Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

    Snowshoe and XC ski tour

    Winter’s Coming. Enjoy it.

    Categories BasecampingSkiingSnowshoeing
    Duration 4-8 Days
    Group Size 1-5 people
    Difficulty

    Mild

    On a scale of 1 – 5, five being the most challenging, two hiking boots is at the easier end of the spectrum.

    1 boot = basecamp/dayhike easy
    2 boots = easier backpacking trip
    3 boots = intermediate level trip
    4 boots = intermediate to advanced backpacking
    5 boots = ask yourself are you really ready for this?

    Expect whatever level you think might best fit you to be one level LOWER on our scale. Hiking here in Alaska is generally a step or three above what you’ll find in the Lower 48 states.

    Realize that backpacking is never “easy”. You’re carrying from 35-50+ pounds on your back day after day. You’ll be hiking for a number of hours each day (varies trip to trip, day to day), and that’s not “easy” for most people.

    Easier section of a tougher backpacking route. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
    Easier section of a tougher route. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

    That said, our “2 hiking boots” level should meet the need for most novice backpackers, and are generally what I recommend for families with younger kids, etc as well. Terrain challenges aren’t usually a problem, and the walking is somewhat more orthodox. You won’t be traversing 1 mile of steep sidehill covered in slippery rocks, or snaking through dense thickets of alder and willow.

    Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Either/or. Enjoy a remote Alaska cabin and enjoy what few people experience. A real Alaska winter or spring trip. We may even see the aurora borealis.

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    Visit the wild