Glacier Bay Traverse (trip)
Glacier Bay Traverse
- Airport near Juneau, AK, United States
- Active & Adventure
| from $3,400* per person | 12 Days | July |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Alaska Mountain Guides International & Climbing School | 12 people max | |
The Glacier Bay Wilderness Traverse is perhaps the most classic of these routes. The 12 day expedition combines world class sea kayaking, spectacular glacier trekking, and exciting rafting with the chance to view brown and black bears, whales, bald eagles, ice bergs, and glaciers along the way. This routes travels through one of the most remote areas in North America and has only been visited by a handful of adventurers.
The expedition begins in Glacier Bay National Park with 5 days of Sea kayaking in the wild and pristine “East Arm”, an area closed to motorized traffic for most of the year. The East Arm features abundant humpback and orca whales, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, puffins, and a host of other marine life. Adventurers will paddle past icebergs, tidewater glaciers and ultimately arrive at the Muir Glacier where they will trade paddles and kayaks for ice axes and crampons. The next 5 days will be spent traveling over massive glaciers and through jagged mountains to the headwaters of the Tsirku River. The last day will be spent rafting down the Tsirku River. The Tsirku is an exhilarating, swift moving, glacially fed river flowing through the heart of Chilkat Valley Bald Eagle Preserve, home to moose, wolves, bears, salmon, wolverines, and the Tlingit Native village of Klukwan.
The trip will finish up in the picturesque fishing village of Haines, Alaska with a celebration dinner and well deserved beverage from the local brewery!
Instruction in sea kayaking, mountaineering and rafting will be provided along the way and all equipment is provided. No past experience is required beyond a sense of adventure and being in good physical condition.
Glacier Bay National Park and the Chilkat Valley Bald Eagle Preserve are part of the world’s largest protected wilderness area, covering more than 27 million acres. Participants will sea kayak about 30 miles, trek over 15 miles of glacier and raft down 25 miles of the Tsirku River.
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Locations visited/nearby
Alaska, United States
Itinerary
Day 1 ~ Juneau – GustavusYou will need to travel to Juneau, Alaska, and then take a small plane to Gustavus, the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. We will gather in the evening for a pre-trip orientation to introduce your guides, meet the other participants, go over equipment and answer any last minute questions. Lodging and meals on your own
Day 2 ~ To Glacier Bay
After an early breakfast we will board a boat for a spectacular ride into the East Arm of Glacier Bay National Park. The scenery changes dramatically as we leave the lush forests of Bartlett Cove behind and enter a land still under the influence of the Little Ice Age.
We’ll be dropped off near the entrance of the East Arm, where we’ll unload gear and have a kayak lesson. By afternoon, everyone will feel comfortable enough with sea kayaking to fully observe the splendid beauty of this area.
Days 3-6 ~ East Arm, Glacier Bay
We’ll explore the pristine upper fjords of Glacier Bay by kayak and on foot. Keep your camera ready for dramatic scenery of awe-inspiring 9,000-foot mountain peaks and calving glaciers (you’ll listen to them thunder, crackle, and pop as huge icebergs topple into the sea!), and wildlife that may include brown bears, mountain goats, humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, and a variety of sea birds. A flexible itinerary allows for fabulous hikes and serene paddles. You may explore the McBride, Riggs and Muir Glaciers, each with its own stunning beauty and personality.
Nights will be spent camping on the scenic wilderness shores. Our two-person kayaks are stable and easy to use. A foot-controlled rudder system allows the stern paddler to steer the boat in any direction. Each boat will carry personal gear, as well as a share of the group food and camp gear.
Day 7 ~ On to the Ice
We’ll trade our paddles and kayaks for ice axes and crampons and have a lesson on safe Glacier Travel before heading to the glacier and the overland crossing to the headwaters of the Tsirku River.
Day 8-11 ~ Glacier Bay Ice Cap
The days will be spent hiking across snowfields with outrageous views of the jagged peaks and brilliant ice falls. Glacier travel, crevasse rescue and snow camping skills will be taught as we travel.
Day 12 ~ Tsirku River and Haines
After breakfast we will head to the river to meet with our rafts for a relaxing paddle through the Chilkat Eagle Preserve and back to civilization. Keep an eye out for bear, moose, wolverines, wolves, and of course the ever present American Bald Eagle.
In the evening we will gather for a celebration dinner at our favorite restaurant. Lodging in Haines is on your own.
More information from Alaska Mountain Guides International & Climbing School:
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