Summary

Tatshenshini/Alsek River Trip

Prices From	USD$ $3,300.00
1st Departure	01.01.0001
Provider	Wilderness River Outfitters
Destination	Alsek River
Duration	11 days
Challenge	Intermediate
Avg Rating	Not Rated

Your 11-day trip on the Tatshenshini-Alsek Rivers will be one of the most memorable journeys of your life. The awesome size, beauty, and remoteness of this land make this Alaska river trip one of the greatest river trips in the world. From its beginnings as a small, rushing whitewater rafting river in the Yukon, to the massive size of the combined Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers, to the incredible beauty of Alsek Lake, the Tatshenshini will fill you with wonder. The Tat's upper reaches offer great hiking and wildlife viewing. Only a few accessible trails, originally bear trails, lead you into the high alpine country. From the top of the mountain you can see glaciers and snowfields - and, possibly, mountain goats grazing on the steep mountainside. Breathtaking! Just off the main river are miles and miles of wetland habitat with beaver ponds and perfect nesting grounds for many species of birds. As the river gains volume, the Tatshenshini transforms into many braided channels as major tributaries enter the river. Around the sixth day of this 11day trip we join the Alsek River. In a panoramic view of the Tat/Alsek confluence you see over 27 glaciers. There is more great hiking in this area, and the chance to walk on the ancient ice of a glacier, not far from the river. The real highlight of the trip is often Alsek Lake, where massive glaciers calve off huge chunks of ice. We'll have the opportunity to paddle around beautiful icebergs and watch the glaciers calve. The last night's camp has and incredible view of the lake, and you fall asleep to the sounds of the ice.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

We like to keep all of our trips flexible so we can customize each one to the interests of the group. Activities may vary due to group desires or weather. Day before the trip: Arrive in Haines, Alaska. Please make reservations at the Halsingland Hotel in Haines. That evening we will get together to distribute gear and answer any last minute questions. Day 1: Drive about three hours north, into British Columbia and then the Yukon. We’ll have lunch and rig the boats at Dalton Post, an abandoned trading station on the banks of the river. After lunch we’ll begin our float. Soon we will enter a narrow canyon for a series of class III and IV rapids. Day 2-7: During the next few days the mountains will continue to grow around us. We will pass large gravel deltas created by glacial streams. The river will grow dramatically in size as these major tributaries add their water to the Tat. We will stay in the same camp for two nights on one or two occasions to do full day hikes at Sediments Creek, the Nose, or the Stairway to Heaven. On about the 6th day we will join the Alsek and the river will double in size. Day 8: We will camp in the vicinity of Walker Glacier and take the opportunity to walk on this massive river of ice. Day 9: Today we float past the Novatak Glacier, one of the largest along the river. In the afternoon we will reach Alsek Lake and camp on its shore. Day 10: We’ll spend today paddling among the icebergs floating in the lake. We may paddle across to watch the glaciers calve. Our last night is spent near the outlet of the lake, where icebergs can be heard rolling and crashing. Day 11: Today will be an early start and a nice float to Dry Bay. You will fly to Yakutat in mid-afternoon and catch the 6PM Alaska Airlines flight to Juneau where you will spend the evening. 

General Information

Tatshenshini Logistics The Tatshenshini River Trip begins in Haines, Alaska ands ends in Yakutat, Alaska. You fly commercially to Juneau, Alaska and take either Wing of Alaska 1-907-789-0790 or LAB Flying Service 1-907-766-2222 from Juneau to Haines. After the trip, we fly you to Yakutat, Alaska, where you will catch your commercial flight from Yakutat to Juneau (only one a day in the evening) with Alaska Airlines. You will need to spend the evening in Juneau and continue your trip home the next morning. Your luggage you left behind in Haines will be flown to Juneau and taken to your hotel for you to pick up. Included in the cost is transportation from Haines to the river, a flight from Dry Bay to Yakutat, Alaska at the end of the trip, meals beginning with lunch on the first day and ending with lunch on the last day, dry bags for your personal gear, and use of our sleeping bags, pads, and tents (you are also welcome to bring your own gear and receive a $75 discount). Not Included in the cost is travel from your originating city to Juneau, air travel from Juneau to Haines, air travel from Yakutat to Juneau or guide gratuities. Hotel: Please make your reservations at the Halsingland Hotel (1-800-542-6363) in Haines, AK for the evening before your trip, and at the Frontier Suites Airport (1-800-544-2250) in Juneau for the evening your trip ends. If you wish to make other arrangements please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you. Transportation Air: Alaska Airlines runs several flights a day into Juneau. Alaska Coastal Airlines and LAB Flying Service run scheduled flights from Juneau to Haines. You should make a reservation on the 5-6PM Alaska Airlines flight from Yakutat to Juneau for the evening your trip ends (this flight is not included in the trip price). <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=452 align=center border=0> <TBODY> <TR class=text vAlign=top> <TD width=150>Alaska Airlines 1-800-426-0333 </TD> <TD width=151> <DIV align=center>Wing of Alaska 1-907-789-0790 </DIV></TD> <TD width=151> <DIV align=right>LAB Flying Service 1-907-766-2222 </DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Water: The Alaska Marine Highway runs a ferry from Bellingham, Washington up the inside passage to Haines (2-3 days), or you can fly to Juneau and take a half day ferry from Juneau to Haines. Or take one of the fast ferries. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=452 align=center border=0> <TBODY> <TR class=text vAlign=top> <TD width=146>Alaska Marine Highway 1-800-642-0066. </TD> <TD width=147> <DIV align=center>Fjord Express Ferry Juneau to Haines 7 days a week 1-800-320-0146 </DIV></TD> <TD width=147> <DIV align=right>Fast Ferry Weekends only 1-888-766-2103. </DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Gear List

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THIS IS THE SUGGESTED GEAR LIST FOR THIS PARTICULAR TRIP. HAVING THE RIGHT GEAR IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE IT THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE FOR YOU. MOST OF THE GEAR LISTED YOU WILL HAVE OR YOU CAN USE YEAR-ROUND ON ANY OUTDOOR EXCURSION (FOOTBALL GAMES, BOATING, SKIING, ETC.). WE WANT YOU TO HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WILL NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE. HOWEVER, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE HAVE LIMITED SPACE AND WEIGHT CAPACITY ON THIS TRIP. PLEASE FEEL WELCOME TO CALL OUR OFFICE TO DISCUSS ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT GEAR. PLEASE NO STEREOS, RADIOS OR WATCHES GEAR PROVIDED: we provide LIFE JACKETS, 2 WATERPROOF DUFFEL BAGS (one for sleeping bag, pad & ground cloth, and one for clothing), and a WATERPROOF DAY BAG for items you would like accessible during the day (dry shirt, suntan lotion, camera, etc.). You may use our SLEEPING BAGS, PADS, AND TENTS, or bring your own and receive a discount. <UL> <LI>SYNTHETIC SLEEPING BAG (WARM EVEN WHEN WET), PAD, TENT, GROUND CLOTH (for sleeping out under the stars and or spread your gear on) </LI> <LI>RAIN GEAR... Good jacket and pants. Poncho’s aren’t enough. AVOID VINYL & CHEAP PLASTICS. </LI> <LI>LIGHTWEIGHT SHIRTS...4, one long sleeved. </LI> <LI>1 PAIR LONG PANTS, synthetic are best</LI> <LI>SHORTS... 2 pair, synthetics dry faster. </LI> <LI>CAP TO BLOCK SUN, & WOOL HAT for cool evenings...a must for everyone. In case of wind attach with a shoestring. </LI> <LI>GLOVES OR MITTENS...synthetic or wool.</LI> <LI>WARM SHIRTS 0R SWEATERS...wool or polarfleece (2 ) </LI> <LI>LONG UNDERWEAR... 2 pair polypro or capilene (not cotton) tops & bottoms. </LI> <LI>WARM WOOL OR POLARFLEECE PANTS </LI> <LI>LIGHT WEIGHT PANTS… synthetics dry quickly.</LI> <LI>WARM JACKET...synthetic piles are popular because they are warm even when damp. </LI> <LI>FOOTWEAR: How comfortable your feet are will make a big difference in your enjoyment of the trip! </LI> <LI>KNEE-HIGH RUBBER BOOTS with good tread. They are worn every rafting day. </LI> <LI>HIKING BOOTS or sturdy walking shoes ...well broken in. No brand new boots please. </LI> <LI>SOCKS...4 pair of wool, 2 pair light synthetic, fleece socks are also nice for in camp. </LI> <LI>THIN LINER SOCKS...nylon or synthetic, not cotton. </LI> <LI>RUNNING SHOES...for around for camp and short hikes. </LI> <LI>SUNGLASSES AND TIES FOR GLASSES...protects against glare. Pack extras</LI> <LI>SUNTAN LOTION...maximum strength sun block & moisture lotion.</LI> <LI>CHAPSTICK </LI> <LI>INSECT REPELLENT </LI> <LI>FLASHLIGHT...small one is fine, headlamps work great. </LI> <LI>WATER BOTTLE...1 liter. </LI> <LI>CAMERA & FILM...bring more than you think you need, just in case. </LI> <LI>SMALL DAY OR FANNY PACK...for side excursions. </LI> <LI>POCKET KNIFE </LI> <LI>ZIPLOCK BAGS… for wet or dirty clothes </LI> <LI>PAPER & PEN, BOOK…. Many people enjoy writing notes about their trip. </LI> <LI>BINOCULARS </LI> <LI>BIODEGRADABLE SOAP, hand towel</LI> <LI>ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE...if desired (unbreakable containers). </LI></UL> We provide a major 1st Aid Kit, however we do recommend you bring your own preferred personal comfort drugs (Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin, Band-Aids, cold medicine).

Travel Information

Activity Location

Haines, AK
Haines, AK USA