Testimonials

Fantastic views, adrenaline pumping hiking and packrafting. Artic National Park brimmed with beauty, history, and stunning mountain ranges. Expeditions Alaska made it possible to experience all of that and instilled the confidence of wanting to do it all over again.

Wow, Alaska is beautiful and we got to see it up close and personal! In early Sept, the willow leaves were golden and the ground was covered in a patchwork of fall colors from green, orange, and white to red! Skolai pass is surrounded by picturesque formations. After it snowed, these were outlined even better! For our trip, we did a 10 mile hike on Day 1 when the weather was perfect. Our hikes were shorter, but still nice on days it rained or snowed. We got to see three seasons in one week! Our guide, Jared, was fantastic. From making us feel comfortable in the back country (with the possibility of bears) to baking cinnamon rolls for breakfast, he was a perfect leader for our group. I learned a lot about myself on this trip with plenty of time away from social media and work email to think! It was certainly an experience I won’t forget.

Had an amazing time in the Brooks Range this summer. There’s no feeling quite like the one you get after struggling up a pass and being rewarded with a view of a brand new pristine drainage valley. This route/area gives you a lot of ability to choose your own adventure depending on what you’d like to do physically and what looks interesting on a topo map. Arctic miles are difficult miles but worth it. Our guide Trevor was terrific and helped make the trip less intimidating and more enjoyable.
If you’re packing your own food – pack more dessert than you think you’ll need.

Incredible time. Amazing backcountry experience I will never forget but definitely repeat. Beautiful landscape independent of the weather conditions– rain, light snow, frost in the night, bright blue sky and laughing sun. Pictures in my head that I will never forget. Sweating and strenuous muskeg hiking or on rocky traverses, but being rewarded with untouched camp areas, untouched nature, and fantastic food prepared by our guide. Great talks, a lot of laughs. Did meet people I like to meet again.

Our first “real” backpacking trip for more than a couple of nights, and first trip to Alaska is one for the record books! It was truly a dream come true, and I cannot wait for our next adventure with Expeditions Alaska!

47 miles and 30kft of elevation change in 10 days makes a no joke adventure in the Gates of the Arctic. The weather is as diverse as the terrain – you’ll have some tough weather days but also some good ones, but expect to hike hard every day. The views are spectacular. And as a bonus, there are wild blueberries everywhere. Expeditions Alaska did a great job finding this area, arranging all the logistics, and providing the opportunity to enjoy this piece of wilderness. And the cost of the trip was quite reasonable. Things never go perfectly according to plan on a trip like this, and Expeditions Alaska does a good job of planning ahead and reacting when changes become necessary.

I was certain, after the first day’s trek, that I had made a mistake, and gotten in over my head! The terrain was relentlessly difficult, but the reward was more than worth it!
I found out I am capable of much more than I thought, which is an incredible self-discovery.
The wildly beautiful scenery coupled with endless solitude was both soothing and exciting!
All our food was cooked fresh in camp by our chef extraordinaire, and guide, Trevor.
Loved it, and will go again with Expeditions Alaska when I am trekking in Alaska!

As novices, I would have never thought we could experience the Alaskan backcountry as explorers 100s of miles away from anything. Expeditions Alaska made this possible- we had an amazing adventure and felt safe the entire time.

Difficult but rewarding trip in the Wrangell – St Elias National Park, crossing rivers and glaciers and making your way through bushes and rocks. Be aware of rough conditions (it could be cold, wet and windy), and be prepared adequately. A ride on a bush plane to and from the backcountry is an additional treat!

the whole family was brought out of comfort zone with a VERY INTENSE experience of trekking without trail, with breathtaking landscapes, challenging weather conditions, a feeling to be alone in the world, a true adventure … An unforgettable experience for the family !

The Seven Pass Route was an incredible experience. The Alaskan scenery and our amazing guide Jared combined to make the trip epic and enjoyable. Crossing a Glacier was a real thrill and the passes added some tougher backpacking into the mix. This isn’t your typical weekend backpacking trip but it’s really worth it! A guide like Jared takes so much of the stress of route finding, cooking, and more off your back and lets you enjoy the trip while teaching you all about what you’re experiencing.

Had a great wilderness experience with awesome scenery in Gates of the Artic with Expeditions Alaska. Knowledgeable and experienced guide. Jason was amazing and way above normal customer service assuring that I made the trip after lost luggage and unexpected delays. There was no way he was going to let this trip be a bust for me. It was the highest level of customer service I have ever experienced in my life.

I have nothing but great things to say about Expeditions Alaska. The preparation process for our ANWR pack-rafting trip was smooth and very easy. All questions were promptly answered and professional advice offered. Once out in the refuge, our guides Christy and Jared proved themselves to be extremely competent and were a joy to be around. They are very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the area. They are enthusiastic and have great people skills, and are accomplished back-country chefs. I’ve never eaten so well while camping – highlights included a pizza night with eight different kinds of handmade pizzas, and a lingonberry cheesecake made with berries we foraged ourselves on the tundra. And finally, the scenery was stunning. Rafting through the Brooks Range, lots of wildlife, tundra flowers blooming everywhere and incredible nights under the midnight sun. It was one of the best trips I’ve ever done.

Sensational hiking and packrafting in fantastic scenery, I LOVED this trip with Expeditions Alaska. They worked real hard to make the trip come together in challenging conditions and it was awesome. The gear they provided was very high quality, the food excellent, and having such a small group (only four + one guide) made it really special. And Carl, our guide and EA owner, elevated the whole thing to a different level. When I come back to Alaska, I will definitely book with EA again!

I recently went on the aurora borealis photography tour with Carl and it was absolutely perfect. We were fortunate to get five nights of incredible, active shows, and one night with a more subtle, but still beautiful glow. As someone who’s usually “the planner” on all my trips, it was so amazing to have someone else take care of all the location scouting (and driving). Plus with such a variety in viewpoints, I ended up with 650+ distinctly different photos of the lights amongst trees, mountains, highways, and snow-covered fields—all without a single other tour group in sight. Also Carl was an absolute pleasure to spend time with, as he brought so many great stories and knowledge. If you’re looking to get a bit off the beaten path and take some amazing photos, I highly recommend a tour with Carl!

This was a pseudo-post pandemic trip to Alaska and my first time to this state. This was also my first time taking my large lenses and tripod so far to shoot BIF in near freezing conditions. I was a bit nervous but Carl was there every step of the way to answer questions and provide guidance in terms of what to expect, what to bring, and what I should be able to handle. The trip went very well and I considered my time with Expeditions Alaska a huge success. This trip is something I will never forget and the images I captured were both challenging from a technical standpoint (fog/low light) and very beautiful when everything (lighting, subject, camera settings, and my tracking skill) went well. Carl knows his craft and knows how to take care of people. He is very good at what he does and he has created a wonderful experience that I was lucky enough to participate in.

The 7 Pass route is no joke. There are numerous points where, in the moment, you will curse the heavens; or recognize that if you slipped and fell, that you’d get seriously hurt. The passes are steep, the streams are cold, and the bushes get thick. All that said, if you’re mentally prepared and put in the work, it’s totally worth it. The views are amazing, even on bad weather days. As is the wildlife. This route will kick your butt a few times and, when it’s over, you’ll remember the kicking very fondly. Mixed in with the unmitigatedly positive memories about the things you’ve seen.
And if you’re someone who’s light sensitive during sleep, don’t forget an eye mask.

Excellent trip. Front row seat to an amazing bear fight over food. Carl was Very Good. Knew how to get close to the bears. Helped me diagnose a camera problem twice. The boat captain was excellent.

Expeditions Alaska can’t control the weather but Rhane, our guide helped our group cope with a week of rain by staying optimistic, positive and by providing a dinner and cook tent which he carried: his pack was 70 pounds – he’s an animal! Get the food package, it is worth it, the Guide prepared delicious meals for you. At first we were flabbergasted at the amount of food Rhane brought but when we exited we had eaten most everything in the bear canisters – nice planning Rhane. Our favorite meal was pizza, can you imagine eating pizza on a backpacking trip!?!
The Seven Pass Route is not for the faint of heart, it is not on trails. It covers 2 glacier crossings (these were my favorite), numerous stream crossings, scree, rocks, spongy tundra, following a mountain goat trail straight up a mountain side, bush whacking through alders and willow trees and 3 passes. It is strenuous and you must train diligently for this backpack because your pack will weigh a minimum of 35 pounds (bear canister plus food is 15 pounds). I am turning 60 years old this week and chose to challenge myself with this trip, thankfully I had no issues because of my training, living in Colorado and Rhane’s backcountry skills.
It was relaxing for me to follow a guide and not be in fear that I had made a mistake with my navigation skills. I just got in line and followed Rhane.
Alaska is rugged country with extreme weather but this combination makes for great glacier making. Do yourself a favor, stretch yourself and give yourself the gift of seeing Alaska purely by signing up for a trip with Expeditions Alaska.

Cold and stark, yet stunning. Not the kind of backpacking I’m used to; this trip involved shoe-swallowing muskeg, rolling tussock, face-slapping bushwhacking, squishy mud puddles, and intermittent scrambling. Nevertheless, the views of the peaks and turquoise glacial lakes are incomparable.

We could not have asked for better guiding on our first time backcountry camping. Expeditions Alaska did a great job of trying to accommodate a physically fit family of 4 with no camping experience, including our 12 and 15 year old. sons. Rachel fielded a vast array of questions from us and made sure to try to address everyone’s concerns. We learned how to ford rivers, the most efficient ways of climbing up and down hills and how to tie up tent strings. We would definitely go back for another trip and we would definitely use Carl’s team.

If you’re looking for an off the beaten path hike this is it. Actually most of the time there is no path! For this trip you have to earn the right to hike these valleys and sit by sky blue alpine lakes. Be ready for slow hiking and rough terrain , your not going to eat up the miles here instead you’ll truly get the feel of the wild landscape and have the time to enjoy all of it from massive cliffs to delicate alpine flowers.

No pictures can truly capture the splendor of the Arrigetch Peaks – you must walk among them! Yes, it’s hard work to get to them for most of us but the reward is worth the tired legs… Sheer granite peaks pushing up through the limestone of the overall Brooks Range, alpine lakes, cascading streams and infinite sky… Pause and take the time to soak it in… Rhane, our amazing guide, kept us all in good spirits and involved us in all decisions – he is a beast on the trails, a great reader of people and extremely knowledgeable about the backcountry!

Spent 5 days and four nights on an absolutely incredible backpacking trip in the Wrangell St. Elias National Park this summer. I can’t wait to check out other trips.

Had a great 12-day rafting trip with Expeditions Alaska in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. The guides and equipment were excellent and the scenery and animals were extraordinary.

This trip met my expectations. The yoga and meditation were perfect for all levels. I am a beginner at both, but more experienced ladies were able to challenge themselves. I would have liked to have hiked more, but being in a group of mixed abilities, … I was the weakest link in the pack rafting, so it all worked out. The 7 guests on this trip bonded and that made the trip so worth while.

It was awesome to see all the bears. We came home with some great photographs as well as memories of the bears and that made the trip. … Carl Rocked My World! He had a great sense of humor and was very knowledgeable about the bears as well as Kaktovik. He offered very good advice on camera settings and suggested locations for getting the best composition for the pictures. Carl helped us all to get safely into the boats and thankfully they was an enclosed cabin.

A long time Alaska resident and photographer, Carl demonstrated his expertise and knowledge of polar bear behavior. The bears were easy to find and showed their personalities. I had been forewarned that accommodations in Kaktovik were less than ideal so I was not surprised at the poor conditions. That said, I was pleased with the food and with having sufficient power in the Waldo Arms’ rooms for charging batteries and laptops. I’m glad I chose this particular trip and would recommend Expeditions Alaska.

Our trip to the Sanford Plateau was truly the trip of a lifetime, though I hope to do many more trips with Expeditions Alaska. All the details were taken care of with courtesy and professionalism, such that I was able to enjoy every aspect of the trip and not sweat the small stuff. Our guide, Rhane, was not just highly-skilled and extraordinarily likable; he is one of the most interesting people I’ve had the privilege of meeting. He is also a top-notch backcountry cook (pay the extra money to have Expeditions Alaska provide the food – it is more than worth it!). He was also a pretty awesome role model for my 14-year-old son. We did the Sanford Plateau, which was challenging but very doable for intermediate backpackers like me and my son. I cannot recommend Expeditions Alaska highly enough.

As someone who has never backpacked in Alaska before, Expeditions Alaska provided me an amazing introduction to a part of the country I would have previously never dared to venture on my own. Exploring Gates of the Arctic was a life-changing experience. At the same time, I became a better outdoorsman and a more thoughtful global citizen given the effects of global warming that can be observed in the park. I can’t recommend this company more. Their mentality of low-impact touring with smaller groups of clients falls in line with a growing urgency to sustainably enjoy our natural treasures. Also, I can’t recommend the timing of the fall trip more; autumnal tundra and the aurora borealis?! What a beautiful trip. I can’t wait to return to Gates of the Arctic.

From the time we got picked up in Anchorage, during the nine days of hiking the Seven Pass Route and back, I felt like I was on a wonderful adventure. Walking on a glacier and having a knowledgeable explaining how it all got there. Walking on the tundra and the moraines and learning about the flora and the geology of the area. Coming across bears with the reassurance that your guide knows how to keep you safe. This is what I had expected but Rhane, our guide, and Carl, through the booking process, made it all happen and truly exceeded my expectations.

My family and I had a fabulous trip on the Seven Pass Route with Rhane as our guide. It was without question the most beautiful and varied trip we have ever been on. The scenery was stunning at every turn. We saw a lot of wildlife including 10 bears! The off-trail terrain was definitely made easier with Rhane’s excellent guiding. He always made sure we felt safe in any situation. In addition, Rhane was very knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, geology, history, weather etc of Alaska. The logistics of planning the trip were very smooth. I hope we get a chance to go on a trip with Expeditions Alaska again!

I had a wonderful day with Jane she was so fun and easy to talk to. She knew alcot about the area we hiked in and the trip was a great introduction to Alaska.

I had an incredible backpacking experience with Rhane and Carl at Expeditions Alaska. They provided an amazing trek through the rugged backcountry of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It was well prepared and customized to individual preferences. Rhane is very experienced and knowledgeable about the surrounding area and all things backpacking. I would definitely recommend exploring Alaska with this company!

Had a fantastic day hike with my guide Jane. She took me to a new area outside anchorage on a really fun trail, and she was so friendly and fun to walk with.

Northern lights have been in my bucket list for a while. I wanted to go, kept waiting for my friends to go with me….finally I found Expeditions Alaska, I called and Carl answered the phone, answered all my questions and I did not wait any more, and booked the trip.
A small group, lots of personal attention and Carl is very patient with some of us with less experience in photography.
I saw the lights 3 out of 6 nights, not a bad batting record. I loved every minute of it….

My husband and I went on the photography tour for Bald Eagles out of Haines Alaska in November, 2018. We had excellent instructions prior to the trip, helping us be completely prepared for the inclement weather. The Eagles were spectacular, providing a week of photographic opportunities which we were thrilled to observe. Our guide Carl was congenial, professional, helpful and very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this trip. We hope to go on another Expeditions Alaska trip in the future.

I recently completed packrafting trip down the Nizina river. The scenery was excellent, and river provided the right level of challenge. Both of our guides were top notch from a skill level perspective; Professional, prepared, and attentive to our safety. Expeditions Alaska did a great job preparing us for the trip, and providing the essentials that we needed. Their responsiveness and communications up front were among the best I’ve experienced with guides in the area.

Our experience was consistent with the other reviews. Good booking process, responsive to questions (responses can be a little slow, but that’s to be expected as they’re not exactly sitting at a computer all the time), and great trip experience, from pick-up to drop-off.

We did a trip out to Wrangell-St Elias with Carl and his experience and connections in town (McCarthy) showed. Tons of knowledge on the Park, town, where we were hiking, and more. He also seemed to know everyone in town, from business owners to the pilots to the locals.

We paid for the full catering option and it was well worth it. Very reasonable given what you get in quality. Food was great and beyond just freeze dried backpacking options.

He was also accommodating to our small group in terms of preferences, from stops on the drive to and from McCarthy to the day’s itinerary (e.g., where we’re hiking to) while also providing relevant info and making recommendations.

In short, great trip and we wouldn’t hesitate to doing another trip with Carl and Expeditions AK.

The area was remote wilderness only accessible by float plane. We were dropped on the shore of a remote lake and hiked from there. We used either no trails or crude unmaintained “social” tracks. So the remote experience was pretty awesome. The hike wasn’t more difficult than equivalent Rocky Mountain hikes, but the terrain made it different.

I’ve done a fair amount of backpacking in the Cascades and the Rockies, but had never traveled to Alaska before. After taking one look at the pictures of the Seven Passes trek on the EA website I knew that was where I wanted to go! The trip couldn’t have turned out better (well, may a little more sunshine). It was challenging without being anxiety inducing, and the landscape was even more impressive than the photos. Our guide Jules was excellent and very personable. I’m sure I’ll be back on another of EA’s trips in the coming years!

J’ai fait le “Goat Trail” pendant une semaine, ma guide était Jule et c’était probablement mon meilleur voyage !
Carl était aussi d’une grande aide avant le départ, toujours dispo pour répondre aux questions et les guides/descriptions du voyage sont très complets.

J’espère pouvoir revenir un jour et profiter d’un autre voyage avec Expeditions Alaska !

Great trip amongst icebergs and glaciers. Campfires on the beach and no one else around except the seals !
Awesome small plane trip to drop you in there. A truly wild experience!
Meg A Australia

Greatest adventure of my life. Our guide Jules was very professional, informative and helpful. Recommended using their services to explore the wild side of Alaska.

My wife and I did the Seven Pass Route Trek from Bremner mines to Iceberg Lake with Carl’s Expeditions Alaska in August 2017. From day 1, I felt that things were done very professionally. A trip like this needs a lot of inputs and teamwork from the guides and the participants for it to be successful. This was very much the case on my trip. We felt safe, challenged, inspired and astonished by all the beauty around us. It is a tough route, but the experience and memories are worth more than any pain, pictures or scars you might encounter. I highly recommend Expeditions Alaska for such extended Alaskan backpacking trips. Hopefully I can do more treks with him in the near future.

Best Regards!

Exceeded expectations. So much fun. Rhane was amazing. The most well read and well educated young man we have ever had as a guide. He knew everything from Alaska history, to glacier astronomy, to South American adventures, to rock climbing, geology, grizzly bears and black bears, sea otters, sea lions, mountain goats, kayaking techniques, and how to have fun! – Two parents and a 20 year old college son.

Excellent trip, I enjoyed every moment of it. Very well organized.

Carl was a lot of fun to adventure with! I had an extraordinary experience in ANWR with Expeditions Alaska. The guides were experienced, flexible, and tried to ensure that each guest enjoyed the trip. The group size was small and intimate. Wishing I could go back now!!

The Canning River trip was everything we expected. We are 60 years old and had a great time. Good equipment, good organization by Carl and Jule. Enjoyed spending 11 days in a very special environment with friendly, hard working, knowledgeable guides.

My wife and I just completed a two week trip with Carl In June 2017. One week of kayaking at Icy Bay, “ice-breaking” in our kayaks, moose, wolverine, seal and sea lion watching, glacier calving, good conversation around the camp stove, all at the foot of Mt St Elias. A second week, exploring the tundra rain forest and coastal sands of the Lost Coast. Incredible, The trip was educational, challenging, and in a word “awesome”. A trip to remember always. I would do this again in a heartbeat. Thanks Carl!

I did the Aurora trip with Carl in March 2017, and I had an excellent experience and came away with some shots that I was really happy with. We were lucky and were able to see the Aurora every night of the 6-night trip. And while luck played a part, I know that Carl’s careful planning also helped. For instance, one night was cloudy, but he researched the weather patterns and changed the planned location for that night, so we could go somewhere with less chance of clouds. The planning paid off, and we were able to get shots that night. I also appreciated the pre-trip guidance Carl provided on shooting the Aurora, as well as his on location help with equipment and camera settings, etc. I would definitely recommend this trip if you want a great chance to get Aurora photos.

I’m just back from the bald eagles November photo trip with Carl and it was amazing. Thousands of eagles right here, posing for the camera, in the charming and quiet town of Haines. Carl was a wonderful guide and photography teacher. I learnt a lot about eagles, Alaska, and photography, notably improving my skills and knowledge of my instruments. I highly recommend the tour.

Carl did such an amazing and conscientious job of putting us in position for the killer shot. His experience photographing really showed and I could not be more pleased with the result.

I had a great time in the Wrangells. the scenery was magnificent and breathtaking, campsites were exquisitely beautiful. Carl and Expeditions Alaska did a great job.

Carl’s responsiveness to questions and additional information was most helpful and appreciated. The camping arrangements were first class, including great food. It was great to travel with Carl again. It was a great group of people that is so important to making a trip like that as successful as possible. I don’t know if that was by chance, or if Carl specifically picked people to participate in the trip from those who expressed interest, but however it was done it worked out. Special kudos to Jule for the wonderful meals she prepared.

In my opinion, there is no other wilderness guiding company out there that can match what Carl Donohue provides to his clients….professionalism, fun, excitement, and his services are worth ever dime spent to experience the wilds of Alaska. Thank you Carl.

Trip could not have been any better!

Amazing trip as someone who visited Alaska on a tour with my family 10+ years ago. I chose this trip because I wanted to hike into the wilds of Alaska and see what we saw and of course take pictures. This trip will not disappoint if that is your motive. Make sure you are fit if you are >40!

I highly recommend taking a trip with Expeditions Alaska. I took an Aurora photography tour and had a great time. Carl does a superb job getting his guests to the right locations to get the opportunity to see and photograph the Northern Lights. Enjoyed being in a small group that afforded each participant plenty of personal attention.

From the moment i decided to join the Aurora Borealis Photo Tour, I was full of excitement coupled with some nervousness due to no experience in subzero temperature and night photo-shooting. I have to thank Carl for making this trip a smooth one for me and the tips on photography. It has been wonderful to be out there in the wilderness feeling safe at the same time. It is a trip of a lifetime that anyone should make. I would really recommend to go with Expeditions Alaska.

I wanted to view the real Alaska, and Carl came through in spades. I was pushed to my limits exploring a remote part of Wrangell St Elias National Park, enjoying outstanding vistas. Everyone should make an effort to do a trip like this at least once in their life.

Bremner-Tebay is the best hiking trip I’ve ever taken, and Carl strikes a good balance between the group’s freedom and overall security. Earth should be proud of Wrangell-St. Elias. On the seventh night of the trip, we camped near a centuries-old bear trail on a ridge whose view is as spectacular and varied as any I’ve ever seen. The weather was absolutely perfect, and we just spent hours silently soaking it all in. Save an actual tragedy, I can envision no scenario in which you won’t come out of any of Carl’s trips a more complete and fulfilled human being.

The place, the guide, the weather !!! Carl has successfully answered our expectations and even more. Don’t think, sign with him !!!

Carl’s rafting trip through the heart of the ANWR, is the best way to experience the last of the last frontier. He’s got a great personality, he’s hilarious and he knows his stuff.

“Carl really made sure I had the best possible shooting opportunities and drove out to numerous different sites. Most nights we traveled hundreds of miles in search of good foreground interest (Carl knows all the great spots).

I could not recommend Expeditions Alaska higher!”

This trip had everything an adventurous photographer could ask for – float plane rides, camping in a tent, all meals by head lamp and most importantly fabulous photo ops of grizzly bears in their natural environment! Kudos to Carl for leading an excellent trip designed for all to enjoy!

Carl does all the thinking and work for you, which is great! When you are tired, hungry, burned out and just don’t want to use your brain anymore, Carl is there to figure things out. Where to camp for the night, when and where to ‘crock up’ and cross a river, and when it’s safe enough to eat a snack when a bear is off in the distance. And he prides himself on being drama free!

Each day was a new adventure or challenge, be it a day hike from a camp, crossing a fast flowing river or meeting bears on the trail. It wasn’t long before I felt quite secure with the leadership provided by Carl. A crazy life changing adventure.

“Carl — just wanted to say hi and thank you for the awesome trip to Katmai! My pictures are fantastic!! – If you will be offering the trip again in 2013 I am very interested. Thank you again for fantastic trip last year”. – Hank S, GA

The guide is Excellent – and he is in a very good shape … Apart from just being a strong hiker, he is a pro level nature photographer, a well-read, intelligent and humorous man.

The Iceberg Lake Bremner Mines trip was the primal, wild experience one hopes for but never really expects to have. The glaciers are amazing; crossing them feels like someone else’s life.

It exceeded my expectations. It was one of the more Zen-like experiences, which I will relish the rest of my life. Every individual added positively to the group experience. Highlights? … Walking in peace over the glacier. listening to footfalls and the silence in-between. gray scale landscape providing a cacophony of mental color.

The Skolai Trip was more than a memorable experience. Hiking, backpacking, camping and photography out there are, compared to other offers, affordable and well organized. A great compliment to our guide Carl, in whom we found a companion for upcoming new adventures.

The Skolai Pass Photo Tour far exceeded my expectations both experientially and photographically. What an incredible introduction to the Alaskan backcountry! Carl was an outstanding guide and host, whose knowledge and attachment to the landscape was extraordinarily evident, allowing me to develop a portfolio of the area that I couldn’t be happier with! — Second to none – both in terms of knowledge and being really easygoing and friendly in a genuine sort of way.

The week around Skolai Pass in Wrangell-St. Elias Natl park was superb.

Carl was always prepared for both the mundane (setting up a comfortable camp and cooking meals) and the more exciting (photographing grizzlies in the wild and scrambling upon glaciers). I was especially impressed with his facility in dealing with divergent abilities and attitudes. My trip was professionally run in terms of preparedness, safety, and respect for the wilderness; and one helluva lot of fun.

Follow up … July 19, 2014

“Great Canning River raft trip with Jule. Jule did super jobs – reading the river, cooking, and generally making it an enjoyable experience. Interesting and charming lady. as well.”

With so many extraordinary places in the world, it is not often that I travel back to the same place. Wrangell St Elias, however, is one of these places you will want to see again and again and again.

Exceeded expectations. Carl was very helpful with the pre-trip planning for my 2 sons and I (newcomers to wilderness camping). He was very safety conscious (a requirement for my wife to let us go), yet kept the trip laid back. I hope to do another trip with Expeditions Alaska, this time with my wife and daughter.

… , and it WAS awesome! This was my first time backpacking, but I had the most amazing experience and would love to return someday. We all had a great time together conquering the plateau. It was great to be with a guide yet make decisions as a group and be responsible for yourself. The natural beauty of the area was obviously one of the best parts, though.

For backcountry travel in Alaska, you simply can’t do better than Carl and Expeditions Alaska. The trip was very well organized and the hiking experience was exactly as advertised. Carl is a top-notch guide with an easygoing attitude, great sense of humor and extensive knowledge of the places he leads his clients. I’ve been on other guided trips, and I think this was the best. You are knowledgeable and competent (which makes people feel like they are in good hands) but incredibly easy going. Someone looking for a lot of structure would not like this kind of trip, but I loved it. The camp sites were incredible (made even better by your after-dinner hot chocolate!

… there’ nothing like it. What impressed me most about the trip was that our guide was very thorough in ensuring that we all understood the necessary safety procedures and efficient and environmentally conscious methods of camping, while at the same time keeping the mood relaxed and flexible in our plans. Overall, excellent, very knowledgeable about the area and very personable.

The guide is a true professional; deeply dedicated to ensuring guests are well taken care of and experience a unique and safe wilderness experience. Knowledgeable, safety minded and a keen sense for detail.

This has been, by far, the most memorable trip I’ve taken. Carl was an incredible guide who bestowed upon me and my fam an incredible amount of information that I’ll be able to use on future trips of my own. His enthusiasm for the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding environment is contagious. It was an incredible bonding experience with my dad and brother – Carl is a top-notch guide (and person) with a highly contagious enthusiasm for the rugged Alaskan wilderness. The trip was full of memories that will last for a lifetime, or at least until I take another trip up to Wrangell-St. Elias.

Carl made the trip about us and what we wanted to experience. 10 out of 10 Above and beyond any expectation I could have. I was actually very nervous about the trip. It turned out to be something I could never forget and one of the most relaxing vacations I will probably ever experience.

If you really want to experience the beauty of wildlife and nature of Alaska, this is the only way to go. The scenery is something you cannot see other than a backcountry trip like this. Carl has the knowledge and experience to guide you to the best places.

I want to thank you for such an unforgettable experience in the wilderness. My friends ask me how it was, and I’m still trying to find the right words to describe it. Obviously, the place was beautiful, grand and untamed, and yet at the same time a strangely tough place to photograph for a first timer. I certainly enjoyed the company of hiking with our group, each member enriching the overall experience in their own way. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations with you during our hikes. Margaret’s stories and Doug’s company added to making the entire experience a memorable one.

“Carl,

I think you have raised the bar for photographing bears with your tour. The experience of being with those magnificent creatures will last a lifetime. Everyday brought new and exciting opportunities, being in the water or on the river bank made it so much better. ….

Mark was fantastic, his meals were varied and delicious with an international flavor. The fresh fruit and vegetables were an added bonus. His meals were timely and he worked very hard at keeping everybody well fed and taken care of. His backwoods knowledge added a great deal to the overall experience.

A fantastic experience that I would highly recommend.

Thanks”

This was the best trip ever – better than I could have ever imagined. I really like how you let us determine what pace and where to camp, etc. I think having a laid back guide really made the experience better. If you want to experience Alaska in true natural beauty, Carl can show it to you like nobody else.

Carl makes the Alaskan backcountry accessible while preserving the feeling of relative wilderness solitude. He navigates expertly, giving hikers time to fully enjoy the country without the stress of compasses and maps.

My trip with Expeditions Alaska in Wrangell St. Elias National Park was an absolutely phenomenal experience. It challenged me not only physically but mentally and gave me a much deeper appreciation for our planet. As I look back almost 6 months after my trip I can still say it far exceeded every expectation I had about the trip and look forward to hopefully returning next Summer .. the stunning beauty of the Wrangell mountains is something I won’t forget. Once again I was able to see and appreciate how small we are in the universe. Carl was extremely helpful to all in the group and very knowledgeable about the Wrangell-St. Elias range. He is really one of the more genuine people I’ve yet met. His passion for the environment and the Wrangells in particular was very infectious. He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful to all members of our group. You really got a sense that Carl would be out there regardless of whether we were there or not. I feel lucky to have had a guide like Carl out there with us.

I was very pleased with the way the whole thing was structured. For example, getting picked up at the hotel and being driven to the park, having the bush plane all lined up, giving us two different trekking routes to choose from, the campsites where all sweet locations and views, and getting driven back to Anchorage after the trip. Other guides we looked at didn’t provide transportation out and back to Anchorage. Aside from the trip format, your skills and personality characteristics as a guide matched well with my expectations and preferences. I was looking for a guide that was well trained and knowledgeable of the area. I hoped for someone who was relaxed but decisive, and someone who could handle unexpected situations with a level head. You proved to be all of these things.

Carl is a professional and a very capable outdoorsman. His knowledge of the Alaskan wilderness and his backcountry skills are matched only by his good nature and sense of humor. Thanks for a great experience! What did I appreciate the most? Carl’s attitude, cool temperament and sense of humor during the bad weather.

Skolai Pass is a truly stunning and pristine region. Carl and Expeditions Alaska were a perfect fit for our desires and abilities.

Wolverine was truly a beautiful place. I get a lot of mileage out of telling stories about the adventures we had – they tend to conjure both awe and skepticism simultaneously. I wanted to thank you for a truly memorable experience, one that has a greater impression on me now than when I first returned. I marvel at how much I learned about the wilderness – setting up a tent for the wind, food rationing, distinguishing mountain goats from sheep, etc. Thank you.

Carl is an outstanding guide, his knowledge of the Alaskan wilderness, backpacking and photography is comprehensive. I’ve taken many backpacking trips in my life and my hiking trip with Carl was by far the best.

… He has a passion for Alaska and its land and wildlife that comes through in everything he does. He is knowledgeable about the geography and geological history of the land, so he has much to share as you explore. He is friendly, playful, and has a good sense of humor. I felt completely safe when he was my guide, despite being in unfamiliar places with no modern conveniences that I was used to. Expeditions Alaska are very client-oriented. Carl will go with whatever is of most interest to his client at the particular time. Carl will suggest and recommend, but will not impose his own wishes.

It was a great trip and I thoroughly enjoyed it! You were a solid guide, a great companion and we talk fondly of you and the trip on a regular basis. I would highly recommend you and your services to anyone thinking of a similar adventure in the wild. Thanks again for your knowledge, your patience, your spirit, your adventurous nature! It truly was a lifetime experience! I look forward to our next encounter!

Visit an unspoiled piece of the world where there is little distinction between experience and heaven. Your guide will listen to your needs and respectfully respond, providing both guidance and space. For a family it is an ideal place to reconnect, decompress from pressures and to eliminate distractions. Go visit Wrangell-St. Elias, you’ll never forget it. It will live inside of you. Thanks, from the Plotkin family.

Skolai Pass is the best place in the world to get away from the cellphones and the blackberries. I would love to go back and see the marmots again!

We were traveling with our two sons, ages 11 and 9, and Carl customized our itinerary to meet our specific needs. Carl was extremely knowledgeable about the region, terrain, floral and fauna, geography, history, as well as being a skilled back-country camper. Carl made the hikes as vigorous as our young sons could handle. He was an excellent guide—everything we could have hoped for. Not only that though — he’s just a great guy, and fun to be with. We all really enjoyed his company. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Carl to be your guide in the Alaskan backcountry. Have a great trip!

Carl enhanced my backcountry experience by helping me see more. Not in the sense of seeing more places, but in the sense of seeing more deeply. By sharing his knowledge of the geography, the wildlife and the local culture Carl helped me make more mental and emotional connections than would have been possible otherwise.

I had one of the best backpacking trips last June. Flying into the wilderness of Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias NP and camping 5 days on mighty mountains, hiking in caribou and bear country was an exhilarating experience. Thank you Carl for organizing it so perfectly!