Length: 9 Days

Time: Two 2008 Departures
-Saturday, May 10
-Saturday, June 7
Time on Availability Calendar is for booking purposes only. You will be notified on your E-Ticket of the specific meeting time on the morning of your departure day.

Summary: Must be 18 years old and fit. No experience required. Limited to 4 guests only. Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs available. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-839-3828.

There are no refunds. All sales are final.

If changes are allowed on a tour or activity, a $20.00 per reservation change fee will be applied for any change to a reservation. Please note that some tours and activities do not allow any changes. Date changes can only be made only if we can confirm availability on the new date. While we cannot guarantee any changes can be made, all change requests must be submitted a minimum of 24 hours prior to the tour departure and must be handled on an individual basis through our Reservations Center.

Our first day will be spent learning technical ice climbing skills on the spectacular Matanuska Glacier. That evening we'll sort gear and get ready for our ski-plane flight into a high alpine area that will offer a variety of conditions and climbing challenges.

Most of our climbing will be from an established base camp though we may hike, ski or snowshoe to move camps, incorporate a traverse route or tackle a peak once basic skills are mastered. Depending on the weather and snow conditions of course!

We'll train you in the following essential mountaineering skills:

Mountain Safety: hazard recognition, judgment, avalanche awareness.
Expedition Life: Contributing to the team to face challenges.
Camping in the mountain environment: living comfortably, snow shelters, adapting!
Glacier Travel: Rope teams, navigation, sled and snowshoe travel, route finding.
Snow School: Snow and ice techniques, Use of ice axe and crampons, Self arrest.
Climbing Skills:Rope and knot work, anchors, belaying, protection, ice and mixed route techniques.
Crevasse Skills: Recognition of hazards, crevasse rescue.

Challenge Level: 5; Travelling, living and climbing in potentially harsh weather. Carrying heavy loads up steep hills.

Long days of hiking on rough, unmaintained or non-existent trails in remote areas with 50 - 60 pound packs. 10 hours or more paddling, hiking or outdoor activities per day. 4 - 14 consecutive days in the backcountry tent camping in primitive areas with no established toilet facilities. The group may take on all camp chores.

A Level 5 trip demands excellent physical and psychological condition. Just going to the gym 3 days per week probably won't cut it.

Depending on your base level of fitness, you should be exercising 5 - 6 days per week, with at least one long run, hike or bike on one of those days.

No experience required but you must be over 18 and in very good physical condition. This is an extremely remote expedition, participants should be in excellent health.

Accommodation: 8 nights camping.

Includes: all related local transportation. All meals from lunch on day of pick-up to lunch on last day. Tent camping. All guides and instruction. Group equipment (tents, cook gear, ropes, sleds). Technical personal gear such as plastic boots, crampons, harness, helmet, skis or snowshoes is also available.

Not included: Anchorage accommodation. Personal expenses. Personal gear and clothing (sleeping bag, pad, backpack, outerwear, all other clothing.)

Must be 18 years old and fit. No experience required. Limited to 4 guests only. Hotel pick-ups and drop-offs available. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-839-3828.

Alaska Alpine Challenge from Anchorage