Expeditions Alaska Video
Our Crew
Expertise
Our guides put in months of preparation before leading trips: extensive coursework in safety, risk management, leadership, and Alaska ecology, followed by a two-week backcountry training program in actual field conditions.
We supplement that with external certifications. And we retake them. The skills stay sharp because we keep sharpening them.
The result is a team that knows this terrain deeply and handles the unexpected calmly.
Head Guide
Rhane Pfeiffer has led backcountry trips in Alaska for 18 years and has been with Expeditions Alaska for 11 of them. He’s our primary instructor for all new guides and the person I work with most closely on building and refining our training program.
When he’s not here, he’s usually scouting routes somewhere. Right now that’s the New Zealand Alps.
What makes Rhane exceptional isn’t just his experience. It’s how he teaches. He turns complex wilderness skills into clear, repeatable systems that our whole team can execute.
The Entire Crew
Our office staff, gear coordinator, and guides operate as a single unit. Everyone understands the trips because everyone has done the work to understand them.
We’ve maintained a clean safety record across 25 years and thousands of miles of some of the most demanding terrain in North America. That record isn’t luck. It’s the product of preparation, judgment, and a team that takes this seriously.
If you want to learn more about this extraordinary team that I’m so proud to be a part of, visit this page .
Don’t take my word for it. Scroll down and see what the people say. 👇
What The People Say
Our Food
We have an entire set of pages dedicated to our food.
We’re the only guide service in Alaska that let you choose: do your own food, or have us do your food.
And we do it well.
Really well.
My promise: if you choose for us to do your food, you’ll eat better on an Expeditions Alaska trip than you will on any comparable backcountry trip in the state.
We’re not some production line organization churning out a prepackaged meal. We don’t have “a menu”. We have a crew committed to putting together a backcountry meal plan than will rock your world.
Every. Single. Time.
Small Groups & Complete Logistics
Small group size
I mean actually small. Maximum 5 guests.
Many companies call 8-10 guests plus guides a “small group”. With Expeditions Alaska, small means . Five people. Many trips run with fewer.
Why does this matter? Lower environmental impact. More personalized attention. The flexibility to adapt when conditions change.
You’re here for wilderness, not a crowd.
Door to Door Service
Alaska is a big state, and getting to your trailhead is often a bit of a mission in itself.
Rental cars are expensive and often not allowed on many of the roads must travel on to get to your destination.
Depending on your trip, I’ll pick you up and drop you back at the accommodation of your choice in Anchorage (or Fairbanks, depending on the trip).
The price of a rental vehicle to get you to McCarthy, for example, is often in the $1000/week range.
How We Operate
Price Match
I’ll match the price of ANY trip with the same itinerary as ours. If you don’t see the exact itinerary you’re looking for, call and discuss what you want to do. We’ll see if we can make that work. If it fits, I’ll be glad to make that happen.
Discounts
Ask me about a group discount for any group of three or more.
Safety Record
Safety goes beyond simply injuries and accidents. Safety includes near misses as well. Sound decision-making and extensive, intimate knowledge of the places we’re traveling through are probably the strongest factors in maintaining a great safety record. We carry satellite phones, backup emergency satellite text devices, comprehensive first aid kits, map and compass, etc. We’re compliant with all bear safety protocols and best practices.
Safety first. Always.
Your Trip, Your Way
Flexible Itineraries
I work diligently to identify and assess your interests and experience with the trip options available then match those together. If you think you’d rather take 2 weeks to hike the Goat Trail let’s talk about that. If you want to hike the Sanford Plateau in 4 days let’s talk about that and see if it’s feasible.
Your trip is your trip, not mine. I pride my business on running a fluid yet well-managed trip.
I can outfit your trip or you can outfit yourself. I can provide food and gear for you, food for you, gear for you, or just the guiding service. I can provide all transport you need, or meet you at the trailhead. It’s your trip, after all.
Talk to me about tailoring a trip to match your needs rather than signing on to some production line operation. That’s not what you’re looking for.
Locations
Alaska is an amazing place. There’s simply nowhere quite like it. And the trips I lead here visit some of the grandest landscape and wildest wilderness terrain in this state. Bar none.
The Arrigetch Peaks in Gates of the Arctic National Park is spectacular. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or Southern Traverse in Wrangell St. Elias National Park are unbeatable options.
Grizzly bear photography? Katmai National Park is world revered.
There are not many places left on my ‘to go’ list at all. I’ve also walked and explored a number of places that while superb don’t necessarily lend themselves to guided trips so well. Maybe the terrain is too challenging, sketchy or too inaccessible. There are few places in Alaska you might venture that will surpass what you’ll find on these trips.
Testimonials
“Carl is a professional and a very capable outdoorsmen. 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!” — Josh Wheeler, Aurora, Colorado. See more testimonials here →
Environmental Commitment & Client Loyalty
Environmental Ethic
A genuine commitment to the environment and to sound environmental stewardship is foremost.
That’s not just picking up our trash. It’s picking up other people’s trash, traveling lightly, tireless work and support of both major and local conservation agencies, and a dedicated commitment to Alaska environmental and conservation issues such as Pebble Mine and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Our Gold Standard Certification with Adventure Green Alaska stands as testimony to this commitment.
Return Client Ratio
I can’t think of a single answer to the question of ‘why choose Expeditions Alaska?’ that is stronger than this one.
Every year we get people come back and do more trips with us. In any given year fully 50% of the participants are likely return guests. Many folks have done 2, 3 and 4 trips with me.
The record so far is 10 trips.
Alaska Business
Perhaps the question we should really be discussing is why NOT Expeditions Alaska?
Regardless who you would like to choose for your Alaska Expedition, I’d urge you to consider a local Alaska business for your trip.
There’s simply nothing quite like boosting small local businesses and dealing with local people. If we don’t have what you need please feel free to call and chat and I’ll be glad to recommend another Alaska business who might be a better fit for you.
Alaskans know Alaska.
What Experience Brings
Having explored these regions extensively, my knowledge of the terrain, the ecology, history, geography and biology of the area promises clients a fascinating adventure. As both a guide and a photographer, I work hard to ensure your trip is as rewarding as it is memorable. Knowledge of the possible hazards that may be encountered and how to appropriately deal with them is paramount to a successful adventure.
Similarly, knowing how to fully realize the splendors of the area is necessary for participants to get the very best out of their trip. The small group maximum of 5 people helps maintain an intimate yet social feel to the trip, and allows for increased logistical flexibility.
