A CHANGE REGARDING OUR SCHEDULING
For several years we have offered a flexible scheduling program for our Prince William Sound trip. It has been working well enough for us to try it in our Arctic trips as well. Wilderness Alaska conducts small personalized Alaska trips; it is our specialty. Having flexible scheduling allows us to be as helpful to you as possible. We are not big business processing faceless tourists. We are a company that makes friends and shares experiences.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
Below is a listing of all our trips for 2012. Beside them is the "season" we feel is most appropriate for that trip, that is when that part of Alaska sparkles. Look through the trip listings, select the trip that seems most interesting and then call us to discuss dates. Three outcomes are likely. First, your proposed dates might fit in our schedule and we will adopt them. Secondly, we may already have that trip scheduled, but for slightly different dates that may work with your schedule. And lastly, we may have a similar experience which we can recommend that will fit in your travel plans. Working with small groups means we are never very far from filling a tri

ALTERNATIVELY
During the last couple summers we are having an increasing number of couples visiting Prince William Sound book custom trips. It requires an additional fee which represents the addition responsibility of covering all logistical cost rather than sharing them throughout a group, but they have been very relaxing and successful outings. We will gladly help design such possibilities for you anywhere we do trips.

If you have not visited our TRIPS INFO page yet please do so. It is loaded with useful information about our float trips, hiking trips and sea kayaking trips it will answer many of your questions about equipment, experience and weather. A selection of relevant maps can be found there as well.

Once again, we have chosen the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as our principal area to explore the splendors of the Arctic and the Brooks Range. Spending the previous year exploring the entire Brooks Range, has reinforced my opinion that the Refuge is THE precious gem in this majestic system. Located in the extreme northeast corner of Alaska, the Arctic Refuge offers a unique opportunity to intimately explore a wide array of habitats and environments within a relatively short distance. Nowhere else is the topographic relief so dramatic, 50 miles south of the ocean stands the tallest mountain in the Range. This compression of habitats dramatically increases the number of ecological niches visited and thus exposes a much wider variety of species. Within its nearly 20 million acres, over 130 species of birds from four continents, 36 land mammals including all three bears of North America, wolves, wolverines, caribou, moose, big horn sheep, and muskox and 9 marine mammals can be found. This is truly one of the crown jewels of the National Wildlife Refuge system.

STANDARD KONGAKUT - $4495
10 days, Mid June - first week of August
The Kongakut is without exception our premier float trip; superb day hikes, fun whitewater and diverse wildlife. It also can be one of the best ways to witness the great caribou spectacle of the Arctic Refuge. Traditionally, the Kongakut is a short 40 mile run that flows through a narrow corridor of emerald mountains with groups ending in the foothills. This year's trips will continue through the entire foothills section (the river's most productive wildlife habitat), out across the flower studded coastal plain and end at the icy shores of the Arctic Ocean making the best trip even better! We feel confident that you will find no more complete explorations of the Arctic Refuge's north slope. Birders will have a heyday exploring so many habitats. A typical day includes half day float, lunch and an afternoon ridge walk before dinner. A couple of days we hike all day. Boating enthusiasts will enjoy the middle section of the river as it spills through a turbulent gorge before breaking out into lower more benign hills and flatter water. Imagine beginning your adventure surrounded by towering mountains and ending at the shore of the turquoise waters of the Arctic Ocean studded with bergs from the polar ice cap! We've timed the departures to optimize the encounters with the Porcupine Caribou herd.

ULTIMATE KONGAKUT - $4595
12 days, July
The Kongakut is without exception our premier float trip; superb day hikes, fun whitewater and diverse wildlife. It also can be one of the best ways to witness the great caribou spectacle of the Arctic Refuge. Traditionally, the Kongakut is a short 40 mile run that flows through a narrow corridor of emerald mountains with groups ending in the foothills. This year's trips will continue through the entire foothills section (the river's most productive wildlife habitat), out across the flower studded coastal plain and end at the icy shores of the Arctic Ocean making the best trip even better! We feel confident that you will find no more complete explorations of the Arctic Refuge's north slope. Birders will have a heyday exploring so many habitats. A typical day includes half day float, lunch and an afternoon ridge walk before dinner. A couple of days we hike all day. Boating enthusiasts will enjoy the middle section of the river as it spills through a turbulent gorge before breaking out into lower more benign hills and flatter water. Imagine beginning your adventure surrounded by towering mountains and ending at the shore of the turquoise waters of the Arctic Ocean studded with bergs from the polar ice cap! We've timed the departures to optimize the encounters with the Porcupine Caribou herd.

LOWER KONGAKUT RIVER - $4495
8 days, July
Most floats offered in the Refuge overlook the coastal plain habitat which is ashame. Though not the commanding mountain scenery, the coastal plain is a dominant image that captivates ones sense of scale and perspective. We will float through some very productive foothills habitat before striking out across the coastal plain to salt water. Once along the coast, a whole new frontier awaits. Shorebirds and waterfowl are everywhere. Arctic foxes and ringed seals patroll the shallow water and coastline and more exotic species like Beluga whales and polar bears wander by on occation. Large trees washed down the McKensie to the east add a curious dimension to this treeless country. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover some of the most remote places in the Refuge.

MARSH FORK AND CANNING RIVERS - $4495
12 days, Mid June - first week of August
This western branch of the Canning runs through the heart of the Philip Smith Mountains - ancient seabeds swirled in chaotic layers and stacked in impossibly vertical heaps. The Marsh Fork is a clear water fish bearing stream that has a few long sections of rock garden fun to break up the peaceful braids that comprise most of the float. Like the better known Kongakut, there are endless day hiking possibilities. Because of the popularity of the Long version of the Kongakut, we have added the bulk of the Main Branch of the Canning trip to get us nearly all the way to the Arctic Ocean. This now expands the perspective to include all the striking habitats of the Brooks Range's north slope. The geology, with its numerous anomalies and erratics is the clear super star to this show, though wildlife is a constant companion. Probably the most common animals along this section are sheep, wolves and bears, though moose, caribou and wolverines can be spotted. By added the lower Canning we have greatly expanded the birding possibilities as well. This is a spectacular overview of the Arctic via an 80 mile canoe trip.

IVISHAK RIVER - $4395
10 days, Late June (caution: water levels are predictably tentative)
We floated the Ivishak years ago on a custom trip and advertised it several years afterwards without any more interest and then dropped it. The western portion of the Refuge is its most remote area. As more people come to float in the Refuge, solitude is becoming harder to find (on the river). But the experience you could find 15 years ago anywhere in the Refuge still can be found here despite the fact that the Ivishak is a federally recognized Wild and Scenic river. Low water conditions and no name recognition are the only thing that protects this remarkable experience. Using inflatable canoes, we will mix paddling and day hiking in nearly equal parts. The fractured limestone makes for numerous mind boggling artesian springs in the upper end and large pans of aufeis in the foothills. We'll float though both the mountains and foothills all the way to the confluence of the Sag River. Here we will be picked up by van on the Dalton Haul Road and driven all the way back to Fairbanks. The van ride will be a epic road trip - icing on the cake. We'll see sheep, the Alaska pipeline, the Yukon River, 3 different mountain ranges and much of the country that was burned in our record breaking wildfire season. The smaller boats should solve the low water problems and the no name recognition will be our secret.

BEAUFORT LAGOON - $4495
7 days, July - early August
We will paddle along the eastern half of the Arctic Refuge's coast line, mostly within the lagoon system. At one point we will need to venture out into the sea to round Griffin Point before returning to the next lagoon and our passage to Barter Island. This is extreme country that has nurtured the Inupiut culture for an eon. Join this unique adventure and explore the abundance that lies where the polar sea splashes up on the northern continental edge. Prior boating experience is required. Expect to see constant passing racks of sea ducks, resident pairs of loon and snowy owls, small groups of wondering land mammals like caribou, muskox and grizzly bears, seals and perhaps other marine mammals. The coastal shore is littered with numerous skeletal silver driftwood washed down from Canada's Mackenzie River which is just the most obvious invitation to hours of great beach combing. The outside shore is also cluttered with an array of bergy pieces for the polar ice cap which has recently moved north.

CANNING RIVER - $4495
10 days, Mid June - August
This peaceful run down the Canning is a fine way to sample nearly all of the network of habitats on the North Slope of the Brooks Range than this. This float begins just north of the Continental Divide flows past several wonderful mountain hiking opportunities before flowing out over the very productive foothills and coastal plain areas. With fish in its emerald green water and numerous cliffs along the entire trip, this is superior habitat for very many species of birds. Of particular interest are gyrfalcon, peregrine falcon, rough-legged hawk, four species of loons including yellow-billed, arctic warbler, long-tailed Jaeger, American golden plover, northern wheatear and many many others. We have always had exceptional luck watching large mammals along this run and have named a section after the numerous muskox that utilize the area. Last year we found an impressive paleoindian site on the last bluffs overlooking the coastal plain. The trip ends at a bluff which overlooks the remaining coastal plain and Arctic Ocean. The last evening the sun sweeps over top of the arctic ocean horizon all night. It is an unforgettable ending to an impressionable trip.

POSTPONED: Washed out put-in
AICHILIK - $4395
10 days, Early August
The Aichilik has long been one of my favorite valleys in the Refuge. Unfortunately access has been limited in the spring to remediate impact at the landing strips. It has been years since we have done a trip here and we have decided to reintroduce a classic outing later in the year once the landing strip has dried up and hardened. The upper end of the trip has wonderful side hikes and a solid and varied resident wildlife population. Breaking out past the foothills we will float the lower river across the coastal plain to the lagoon system of the Arctic Ocean. This habitat has a unique subset of animals and birds to discover as well as a haunting beauty of the earily carribean blue Arctic Ocean. If you become too confused the water temperature will remind you where you are. The evenings will be powerful displays of prolonged sunsets and only slightly dim until the sun reemerges from the northern horizon. We will use inflatable canoes to better navigate the braided channels of this intimate shallow stream.

WIND RIVER - $4295
10 days, Early June - August
The Wind River has earned a Federal Wind and Scenic designation and still remains one of the Refuge's best kept secrets. Perhaps the remoteness is the most attractive feature of this trip. Less than 5 parties a year float it. Easy access to relative high ground enables us to climb above the river to get a view of the entire valley floor each day. These hikes also provide our best opportunity for viewing wildlife. Unlike most other nearby rivers, the Wind is a bit of a migratory flyway for multiple species of waterfowl leaving the north slope. The river originates in the open tundra of the southern flanks of the Philip Smith Mountains and flows south into the boreal forests. The river feels actually like 3 rivers in one, with a shallow braided section in the upper mountains, a slow meandering single channel through an open lake studded step and finally loaded with whitewater excitement ricocheting back and forth in the forest section. Autumn colors are nearing climax and if you can stay up late enough for the sky to darken, the northern lights should be brewing.

SHEENJEK RIVER - $4395
10 days, Mid June - August
The Sheenjek is another federally designated wild and scenic waterway and is quite similar to the Wind. This trip is longer than the Wind requiring more paddling with less hiking opportunities. We spend more time in the boreal forest habitat and there is something about the chemistry of the river that supports a rich fish population. This in turn supports a wider array of wildlife that exploits the fish; it is not uncommon to see bald eagles and osprey fishing from the trees and otters and mink from the bank. The lower river has numerous beavers. Every fall there is a passage of caribou that cross through this country on their way to their wintering ground. Autumn is in full swing and the tundra is ablaze in fall color, these views are priceless and set with blue sky and snow covered peaks in the background they become unforgettable. Moose and caribou will be seen in their prime breeding coats and waterfowl will be staging on the numerous lakes along the way. The evening sky now dark is rich with aurora displays and will complement the sights of the day nicely - everything is Kodachrome perfect.

To view a panoramic photograph of the Sheenjek River click on the camera.

JUNJIK RIVER - $3600
7 days, Mid June - August
This is a condensed version of the Wind River for those on a limited time budget or linking with the Philip Smith hiking trip. We begin at a charming lake slightly above treeline and paddle all the way back to Arctic Village (~60 miles) through open spruce forests, high bare limestone cliffs and numerous kettle lakes. The route and countryside are extremely similar to the Wind (they are nearly adjacent).

SPRING CARIBOU CORRIDOR - $3550
10 days, June
Last year we were provoked to rediscover a route we hadn't used for 10 years. It was incredible and incredibly different. We realized that at the right time this area is packed with caribou. We begin in lonesome and remote country near Canada and hop on this caribou track down into the Kongakut River. We finish the trip in an area on the river we call "the caribahn" a superhighway of migrating deer. With luck they will be constant traveling companions. The mountains are in all their glory and you will be especially overwhelmed by the canyons we have chosen to explore. This is a classic Arctic Refuge experience.

KONGAKUT HEADWATERS HIKE - $4495
10 days, June
The first hiking trip of the season is always my favorite trip of the year. It is a natural classic. The year we plan to start at treeline along the Sheenjek River and hike over the continental divide into the upper Kongakut. Typically there is a sprinkling of caribou scattered through this country lazily feeding on the budding shrubs. The upper river is big, open, impressive and much less visited than the lower canyon. All the while breeding songbirds serenade at almost every hour and the sun never sets. We have built in plenty of time for afternoon optional day hikes to climb nearby ridges and mountaintops for the better big picture. Each year this trip finds the most varied wildlife and all this before the mosquitoes hatch; this trip is a buzzer beatin' half court swish! It also makes a great combination trip for those that have time to continue down the river on the 10 day float trip.

COASTAL PLAIN TRAVERSE - EAST - $3325
6 days, Late June - early July
This is a very accessible trip for those short on time, but eager to encounter a diverse array of habitats and possibly a significant interception with the caribou herd. We begin in the northern foothills and wander in them for the first half of the trip before turning north to cross the last 10 miles of coastal plain to reach the shores of Demarcation Bay (or the end of the continent)! Always great for wildlife observation, you will not be disappointed by the subtle rolling terrain. Besides, you can tell your friends when you get home that you took a dip in the Arctic Ocean.

FRONT RANGE TRAVERSE - $3600
10 days, Late June and August
When the caribou invade the coastal plain annually they overwhelm the landscape. The post calving return to the mountains is less predictable than the outbound migration, but with members of the entire herd including the 3 week old calves it is sight to cherish. We have planted a route that should combine a good opportunity to see them as well as some of the other fine residents like bears, wolves and muskox. Our route, slightly different from the one we've been using lately, begins along the foothills - the richest area for wildlife in the Refuge. The majority of the hike is in this especially scenic country and includes two Wilderness Alaska 'all time favorite spots'. One is wildlife power spot and the other is a glorious narrow canyon. As our journey comes to a close we will head north and reach a pick-up spot less than 10 miles from the Arctic Ocean.

To view a panoramic photograph of the Front Range clickon the camera.

MARSH FORK HEADWATERS - $3325
8 days, June - August
All life forms that have been shackled by winter's long controlling grip explode in response to the warmth of an ever present sun. Birds frantically defend nests, flowers bloom and mammals nurture newborns. Its tough to sleep on trips at this time of year with so much to see. We have put a gentler trip in this timeframe so no one will be intimidated from visiting this glory. This is only 20 - 25 mile long route meaning you will spend much more time exploring without packs than with. The route links the south side to the north side through a narrow corridor between wildly layered metamorphic rock. Expect the geology to eclipse wildlife on this trip.

SADLEROCHIT MOUNTAINS TRAVERSE - $3550
10 days, July - August
Three parallel ranges of mountains sit just north of the core of the Brooks Range. They provide a lush refugia for a wide variety of species from the open coastal plain just to the north. We will start at the west end in the core mountain area and weave our way through these three poly chromatic ranges and end on the east side of them with a view of the ocean. Halfway through the trip we hike along what I think is the prettiest canyon in the Refuge. Autumn will have begun to touch the vegetation and it will blend nicely with the color of the hills. We should see many of the animals that seek out this refuge, find a wide array of marine fossils, and toward the end of the trip we will be able to find much evidence of the paleoindian culture that arose here.

SADEROCHIT RIVER CANYON - $3550
10 days, June - August
This is a slightly shorter version of the traverse described above. In fact, they share the same route during the last few days. However this trip begins at the headwaters of the Sadlerochit River and follows it through what might be the prettiest canyon in the Refuge.This is small intimate terrain of stair stepping ledges carved fantastically in black shale. Water clear as glass tumbles over the numerous ledges animating the country with motion and sound. Along the entire length are grand views of Mt. Chamberlain, one of the most commanding peaks in the Brooks Range. The same great possibilities of wildlife viewing, fossil finding and archeologcal sites exist on this route as the longer traverse.

COASTAL PLAIN TRAVERSE - WEST - $3600
10 days, Late June and August
This is a trip that we ran a few times when the threat of oil and gas development was much more intense (knock on wood). With the current situation in Washington the threat may resurface at any moment. The 1002 lands of the Refuge lie just north of the mountains and continue to the coast. This is a country of openness and rolling terrain. The expanses are intimidating an impressive. Their status has yet been defined by Congress and the oil industry has always coveted them. This is a chance to walk from foothills to coast across this disputed habitat and make up your own mind - frozen barren wasteland or wonderland of arctic beauty.

CARIBOU PASS - MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT - $3600
Late June and August
This is a pioneering trip which combines legs of two previous trips to form a loop. The countryside of this trip is absolutely remarkable. At the halfway point the scenery is a spell bounding fasade of dark jagged mountains. Because we travel along a spring caribou corridor, I believe we should also have quite good luck with wildlife as well. This is fall in the Arctic and the colors in the tundra are brilliant golds and reds. Be advised that this trip is longer distance than most of our others and will require more endurance, but the rewards will be equally greater.

PHILIP SMITH MOUNTAINS - BOOTS AND BOATS - $4395
15 days, August
This classic returns to the line up by popular demand for a premier combination trip. We begin from a lake on the north side of the continental divide and hike south through the tortured limestone country that marks these mountains over a high mountain pass and down to another lake near treeline. From here we switch to boats and float down the Junjik River to Arctic Village at the southern flank of the Brooks Range. Clearly it is the stark figured towers of gray limestone that make the greatest impression in this area. Though as we move south you will slowly begin to see a change and diversity develop in the country side and by the end of the trip we will be in the spruce forests of an entirely different world. This is lonesome country best suited to sheep and bears.

EARLY ARCTIC BASECAMP - $3200
Custom Dates Available, call to schedule or inquire
Every year this trip has been a home run. We have established a basecamp high in the picture perfect glaciated Hula Hula valley on the Brooks Range's north slope. Because of anomalous geographic conditions, this valley is prone to an early break-up. The last two years we have been treated to an early greening and a rush of blooming flowers. Each day we spend hiking in a different direction, climbing ridges and peaks for panoramic views. Because of these more benign weather conditions, this area has one of the highest densities of dall sheep in the Brooks and we have great encounters daily. An optional part of the trip, we can arrange a flight seeing trip over the coastal plain and calving caribou. This flight has always been the highlight. Before bugs and people, this is a truly incredible opportunity to immerse in quiet wilderness. Because of the uncertainty of conditions at this time we have a back-up south slope plan in case conditions are too hostile for our north slope camp.

POST CALVING CARIBOU MIGRATION BASECAMP - $3300
Custom Dates Available, call to schedule or inquire
This is an incredibly popular trip, the Out of Africa remake. Without question, the Refuge is decorated like a 40' Christmas tree; flowers blooming throughout a rich green field of tundra, birds singing continually throughout 24 hours of brilliant sunlight and with luck thousands of caribou slowly parading by. We will try to select the best possible location depending both on the caribou and other people attracted to the same phenomenon. But any spot during this special time will prove to be the best present of the season.

AUTUMN BASECAMP - $3200
Custom Dates Available, call to schedule or inquire
Truly a dynamic shift occurs in the Arctic during early September. The night sky has returned with each day loosing 10 minutes of sunshine. The darkness invites the opportunity to witness another great Alaskan phenomenon, the auroras. After a day of hiking surrounded by spectacular fall colors one can sit comfortably in camp take in a sunset that last for over 2 hours and the can erupt into curtains of astronomical color. Talk about fodder for wild dreams! We will choose a location on the south side of the Brooks Range just before our trip that will provide the most productive wildlife viewing and make the most of our short sweet stay over the Arctic Circle.

We can schedule trips with groups of 2 to 8. Obviously there will be extra financial burdens upon smaller groups and hiking trips are still limited to 5. Contact us directly to confer about trip options. We feel that this will open up possibilities in the Park and enable you to plan your truly once in a lifetime wilderness journey.

Wilderness Alaska began its operation in this region several years before the creation of the Park. Through the seventies and early eighties this was our primary area of exploration, in fact, many of our trips helped gather information for National Park planner staff. Recognizing and satisfying the increased interest in the Arctic Refuge generated by the imenent possibility of a significant change in management, we have reduced our scheduled trips to the central and western areas of the Brooks Range significantly. We feel that is important to help people experience the Refuge immediately in hopes that that experience may fortify the constituency speaking out to save the Refuge from Oil and Gas exploration. However as always, we can design custom trips here for small groups at any time. Please consult with us directly if you have a pressing urge to visit this part of the Range.

NEW FOR 2012
KOKOLIK RIVER - $4500
June 8 - 17

UTUKOK RIVER - $5200
Custon trip only, call to schedule or inquire

NIGU and ETIVLUK RIVERS - $4600
Custom trip only; call to schedule or inquire

CLASSIC RETURNS
NOATAK - $4500

UPPER ALATNA - $3750
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

UPPER KILLIK HEADWATERS
10 days

GATES OF THE ARCTIC GRAND TOUR - BOOTS AND BOATS
Ten days of hiking, four days of floating

PORTAGE PASS
10 days

AUTUMN BASECAMP
5 days

We began paddling in Prince William Sound in 1982 as personal trips and expanded them to educational opportunities later in the mid eighties. After a long hiatus following the Exxon Valdez incident, we are again conducting modest length trips to witness the grandeur that surrounds this northern temperate rain forest of towering hemlocks and spruce and riotous calving tidewater glaciers. In the past couple years these trips have become increasingly popular and we responded this year by expanding the opportunities.

No other factor comes close to rivaling the importance of plate tectonics for defining the unique character of Prince William Sound. Its curious position along the leading edge of the North Pacific's 'ring of fire' is responsible for building the steeps of the Chugach and Kenai mountains and their expansive ice fields which act as barriers to the influences of Alaska's interior and frames the 10,000 square mile basin that is Prince William Sound. As recently as 1964 the 3000 miles of coastline has been dramatically altered by the rumbling within the Earth's crust. Climate resulting from this juxt of position of major mountain building so near a large body of water nourishes both icefields and rain forests with copious quantities of precipitation, which is the catalyst for the extravagant growth of both glaciers and vegetation. Two bountiful communities, the terrestrial and pelagic environments, melds into a super abundant collision of natural wonder. Over 220 species of birds exploit the resources of these varied habitats as well as nearly a dozen marine mammals even more terrestrial mammals and 5 species of salmon.

In May the surrounding mountains will be blanketed in deep snow, skies tend to be clearest and there is a sense of freshness as all things begin to respond to the abundant daylight. Fewer visitors also allow for a more intimate experience. By season's end in August the mountain sides are emerald green and laced with waterfalls. The forest's understory is ripe with berries and flowers. Increasing dusk in the evenings can reveal northern lights. At any time of year, there is an abundance of marine life passing by to entertain. A day here may begin by waking to a serenade of nesting songbirds and perhaps watching a family of sea otters float by during breakfast and mixed with a day of paddling with pelagic birds and marine mammals to anchoring in a camp near a calving tidewater glacier and catching a mink feeding on a mussel bed. A short walk away and you are gathering fresh water at the base of a slender waterfall. At the end of the day your eyes will hammer shut from sensory overload.

All sea kayak trips begin with a drive from Anchorage along the scenic Seward Highway to the charter boat's slip in Whittier. On this ride we generally see moose, sheep and belugas all unlikely in the Sound. We will board a charter vessel that ferries us directly to and fro our remote starting and finishing locations. This trip, generally 1 1/2 hour, can be a great way to see other parts of the Sound and some of its special interests like bird rookeries and whales. Our trips usually consist of 6 people (considerable smaller than most other companies) and thus are very flexible and responsive to the whims of the group. This year we are offering trips during a broad appropriate time frame in an attempt to increase the accessibility. Smaller group can confirm a launch with a slight increased fee representing the higher costs associated by less people sharing the fixed costs, primarily logistical.

The upland use in Prince William Sound is authorized through a special use permit with the Chugach National Forest.

Book a May trip and save $100 - no bugs, no crowds, big savings!

HARRIMAN FIORD - $1725
5 days, launching mid May through August
This trip is our best glacier showcase trip and is especially appropriate for novice paddlers. Harriman is ~12 mile long narrow tidewater glacier studded fiord located in the remote northwest corner of the Sound far from the chaotic sea of the Gulf of Alaska. From a centrally located beach we will develop paddling skills and explore the greater part of the fiord during day paddles. This camp is situated across from an actively calving glacier and adjacent to a roiling fresh water creek. After extensive exploration of the back bay we will cap off our trip with a stay at a great ice amphitheater for an often spectacular view of 3 active glaciers. This one spot rivaled by few others for sheer intensity of icefield immensity. The trip ends with a short paddle out into a more mature forest ecosystem and an expansive view of the wide open Sound. With lots of smaller marine mammals (otters, sea lions, seals), this can be a very complete view of the Prince William Sound experience and hands down our most popular trip.

ICE TO ISLANDS - $1800
6 days, launching mid May through July
This trip exposes the many different sides of the Sound, from glacial ice to pelagically active islands. To begin, we will explore the great ice amphitheater of the Harriman trip and will also peer into glacier studded College Fiord, the steeper twin sister to Harriman. We will continue the trip south down narrow Ester Passage lined emerald green with stately evergreens for an almost 'reach out and touch it' experience. From the south end of Ester Passage a series of open crossings are possible to discover small islands rich in history and bird life. Weather permitting we will end on the northern tip of Perry Island in the middle of the Sound. There are many options to this trip which can be catered to the group's interests and the weather, but basically this is a travel trip. To get the most from this trip, some paddling experience is recommended.

DERICKSON SPIT BASECAMP - $1725
4 days launching mid June through August
Theater in the round. The Sargent ice field has carved out a stunning bowl in the local granite. We establish our comfortable basecamp on the remnant terminal moraine of this Pleistocene excavation with great views of both the open Sound in front and the ice berg dappled waters of the quiet bay behind. Fresh water rushes down each side of the Bay from the retreating ice field. It would be easy to be entertained for the entire time watching the 15' tide turn bluegreen water into cobblestone mussel beds, but why with an abundance of activities that surround you. Great hikes up in the granite shield, local paddling to Nellie Juan glacier and longer paddle trips to nearby scenic bays. This is a very flexible and relaxing trip to a magnificent landmark.

COLLEGE FIORD - $1825
6 days, launching mid May through August
College Fiord is the twin sister of Harriman Fiord, just steeper, deeper, bigger and less visited. Camping beaches are less common here which may explain why it is less visited by kayakers. A number of our favorite stops on the Ice to Islands trip are here and with a few species of salmon returning to spawn, there are more orcas and black bears than in Harriman. With common williwaw winds the paddling is slightly more demanding, so this is our Harriman advanced trip. Also we are traveling more and basecamping less. In some ways this is the Ice half of the Ice to Islands trip with more time to explore everything the north half of the trip has to offer.

To view a panoramic photograph of College Fiord click on the camera.

NORTHERN ISLAND TOUR - $1825
6 days, launching mid May through mid July
As the College Fiord trip highlights the Ice half of the Ice to Islands trip, the Island Tour highlights the Islands. Frustration runs high when we have such a short time to explore this part of the outing, so we made it its own trip. In spring the islands are nurseries to both marine mammals and pelagic birds. We will loop through nearly a dozen islands and discover the productivity of each. Expect alot of wildlife; otters and seals are common as are eagles, terns, auklets and puffins. In addition, there is an interesting human history of abandoned fox farms and communications outposts to examine here, though the area doesn't get many modern visitors probably because there are no glaciers. It is remote and exotic. Because we are constantly crossing from island to island fundamental kayaking experience is required.

OUTER ISLAND TOUR - $1825
5 days, launching early June - mid July
Much like the Northern Islands Tour, this trip is heavily focused on bird watching and requiring some previous kayaking experience. Located dead center in the Sound these islands couldn't be more removed. Twice a day the tide pulls most of the water in the western Sound passed including its nutrients; this fact has not been overlooked by the resident marine mammals and pelagic birds. As we paddle from cove to cove we will pass cliffs of various breeding birds including both species of puffins. Inland there are also colonies of herons and numerous sitka black tailed deer. Expect alot of wildlife and not many other people you need to share it with.

ICY BAY - $1995
5 days, launching mid June through early August
Highest on everyone's wish list when visiting the Sound are whales and glaciers. This is our solution. Structured like our Harriman Fiord trip this is mostly a day paddling/basecamping trip. The scenery is much more pelagic than Harriman. The big ocean views lend themselves to wonderful whale watching, in fact we have been incredibly entertained for entire days without having to leave camp. The whales, sea otters, sea lions, river otters, bears, mink, bald eagles and puffins all seem to come to us, the glaciers are more stubborn and requires day paddle trips. The two tidewater glaciers we visit could not be more different which makes them complementary as well; one is steep and narrow the other 2.5 miles wide and slopes gradually to the sky, both calve regularly.

KNIGHT ISLAND GRAND TOUR - $2395
July 11 - 22
In direct contrast to our other trips we have selected this circumnavigation of Knight Island as our epic discovery a more pelagic side of Prince William Sound. Out here we find many of the birds and marine mammals that prefer more open deep water; this will be the best opportunity in the Sound to see whales and puffins. This trip is really for those few people that are motivated to moving camp daily and working harder on the water to get to the next spot. Consequently it requires a foundation of kayaking skills, reasonable conditioning and desire to spend time in the boats on the water. The rewards are many - the island's unique wildlife, endless miles of convoluted coastline and hidden bays to explore, shields of bedrock, kettle lakes and open tundra to hike which complements dense stands of ancient firs and spruce as well as a tremendous sense of accomplishment once we complete the 80 mile loop. Knight Island's remoteness helps insure that we will have many fewer people to share in our great treasure hunt. In an attempt to make this the best possible overview of the Sound we will divert our paddle up the west side of the Island over to the mainland for a look at the tidewater glaciers of Icy Bay.

KNIGHT ISLAND PASSAGE - $2075
7 days, launching mid June to early August
This is the platinum version of our Icy Bay trip. With the great tidewater glaciers, whales and wildlife viewing it adds a travel itinerary that includes coasting the western shore of Knight Island. Knight Island resilient backbone of granite and basalt offers singularly unique hiking opportunities and the bay studded western side offers endless days of exploring. After spending 2 days in the Icy Bay region we will head south and east to make our crossing over to Knight Island and the spend the remainder of the trip paddling north exploring the numerous bays. Ideally we will have an entire day for hiking. Humpback whales should remain common throughout the trip.

UNAKWIK INLET - $1995
7 days launching mid May through July
Our small group size is especially appropriate for this super productive body of water. Located halfway between Whittier and Valdez, Unakwik has been overlooked by most paddlers as too ackward to access. Also there are a limited number of suitable beaches to camp on, but once one does decide to visit, they are rewarded by a largely unvisited Inlet with abundant wildlife. We will spend the first half of the trip exploring this remote country including a tidewater glacier, before heading back toward Whittier along the outer mainland. This is another travel (paddle) oriented trip for those already comfortable in seakayaks and paddling 12 to 15 miles a day.

To view a panoramic photograph of the Mearse Glacier at the back of Unakwik Inlet click on the camera.

BLACKSTONE BAY - $1325
3 days launching June through August
Through the years we have numerous requests for short trips to see the glaciers. This is our answer. Blackstone is the closest gathering of tidewater glaciers to Whittier, and despite its lack of remoteness it is unbearably scenic and impressive. Ice rings the back of the Bay and collapses to the sea. The best ice viewing/camping are not reachable by the charter boat so we paddle into and out of the Bay and will spend the middle day taking as much in as we can on a day paddle. If you are looking for a quick glacier experience to fit into a larger Alaskan itinerary this might meet your needs.

SOUTHERN SOUND TOUR - $1995
6 days, launching mid May through July
After a very positive exploratory trip last summer, we are offering regular trips to the most southern part of the Sound. Its distance from Whittier and exposure to the Gulf select against many paddlers visiting the area. For those with experience, this is a remarkable opportunity. Here we begin our exploration in a whale playground that has just the right combination of nutrient-rich tidal flush from the Gulf of Alaska and protection from the open waters. On the mainland there are still a few glaciers trailing off the Sargent ice field which adds the perfect combination of geology and wildlife. Off we go traveling in a loop through narrow island passages and along steep shores of dense luxurious forests. The richness of these waters fosters a vibrant community of marine wildlife. And unlike many parts of the Sound, the pulse of the sea is very real here. Longer days and more challenging conditions makes this an experienced paddlers trip only. The rewards of this tour is it's dramatic landscape which are many and magnificent.

HIDDEN COVE - $1995
6 days, launching mid May through August
The big attractions in Prince William Sound are whales and glaciers. As more people discover and appreciate these qualities, remoteness and solitude become more precious. The success of our Unakwik Inlet trip has prompted us to add this trip called Hidden Cove, but not it's real name. We are offering another paddling trip oriented for those whose primary goal is to get off the 'beaten path'. Without a tidewater glacier, far from the primary feeding grounds of the whales and distant from Whittier and Valdez, this bay is way off the radar screen. Striking granite outcroppings, an unusual forest of cedar trees and numerous hikes to small lakes are some of the attractions. Deer and bears more sensitive to human intrusions are also more obvious here. Like Unakwik finding big high gravel camping beaches is the puzzle. This is a real explorer's trip.

So you want to strike out on your own, but you're not quite sure where to go or perhaps all of the "how" of doing it. Our consultation process called No Guides , No Gear is aimed at helping you design, plan, pack and conduct a safe trip on your own without a guide.

How does it work? Once you contact us, we need to have a preliminary conversation to outline your interest, ambition, goals and level of expertise. This is then combined with a time frame, both how long and when, and a logistical budget. After this initial phase, I will propose a few options. With 25 years of travel experience in the Brooks Range, I feel confident that I can offer an appropriate outing that will be significantly more unique than the one you may have read about in a national magazine or was suggested to a Park Service intern. Once you are happy with one, then I will finalizing the details for you. I will send you maps with the logical route and back-up routes and some notes of points of interests, equipment lists, reading lists, general information on the area and arctic travel, suggestions for packing food and menus, and a brief primer of how I run my trips. I will also suggest pilots and flight services that we feel comfortable with and use. I will also make your reservations with them if you wish. During your packing and planning process, you will inevitably come up with many more questions that we will help you with along the entire way.

Our goal will be to help you accelerate your learning curve so you can enjoy your trip more, avoiding the many pitfalls that handicap the first time visitor and travel more respectfully across the fragile northern tundra habitat. This consultation package costs $495. Information details are sent after receipt of full payment.