Alpine Tundra Trek

Find true wilderness by trekking through some of the most picturesque alpine tundra, jagged peaks and winding creeks in the largest protected landscape on the planet.

Join Alaska Mountain Guides for a beautiful hiking trip through the spectacular alpine tundras of the Nadahini area of British Columbia’s Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park. There are many different hiking options in this magnificent area. These routes are within the boundaries of the largest protected wilderness area on the planet. Every route provides the opportunity to hike through alpine zones, ridgelines and winding streams in some of the wildest country left on the planet.

Possible wildlife sightings include golden eagles, brown bears, falcons, ptarmigan, mountain goats, Dall sheep, marmots, and more!

HAINES: Haines Alaska is the starting/finishing place for this trip. Haines is a small community located along the fjords at the top of the Inside Passage. The natural beauty and wilderness access found here are responsible for Haines’ reputation as a center for wilderness adventure in Alaska.

GETTING TO THE MOUNTAINS: As Haines is conveniently located just 40 miles from the Canadian border, we are privy to a wealth of wilderness just beyond our doors. Enjoy the easy access to incredible scenery and off-trail hiking, just a van ride away.

THE MOUNTAINS: There are few sights like the terrain located within the Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park. The park and the adjacent 27 million acres, including Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Kluane National Park and Preserve, comprise the largest protected wilderness area on the planet. It is an extremely jagged, glaciated, and mountainous landscape surrounding by open valleys of alpine tundra. The trekking here is truly world class!

OUR GUIDES: Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School Inc. instructors and guides are professionals. They have a wealth of experience from guiding throughout Alaska and the world and they genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge. Their skill and positive attitudes help our guests to have the best possible experience during their trip. Your safety and enjoyment are their primary goals.

Day 0: Meet with your guides the day before your trip in the frontier town of Haines. Go over itinerary and packing lists with enough time to purchase any last-minute items. Lodging and meals on your own.

Day 1: Drive a private van into the heart of British Columbia’s wilderness. The Nadahini area is accessible by road, and you may trek on several of the old mining roads! Once you are dropped at your trailhead, you will redistribute group gear and head out to your first campsite.

Days 2-4: Confront a seemingly endless range of pristine wilderness that includes everything from alpine meadows to the jagged edges of the Alsek Ranges and Mt. Fairweather; explore old mining roads and other interesting and challenging terrain. With a customizable itinerary for the duration of backpacking trip, these days can include quests for wildlife, wildflowers, or wild ecosystems developed from the receding glaciers that carved these incredible valleys.

Day 5: Hike out and meet your private van to return to Haines.

How many miles do we hike each day?
Typically we hike about 6-10 miles per day, which may vary depending on your length of trip.

What would my pack weight be on average?
Typically, you can expect your pack to weight 30-45 lbs. This would be about 20 – 30 lbs of your personal gear, plus about 15 pounds of group gear (tent and food).

Are Passports required?
Yes, we will be hiking in British Columbia and will cross through both Canadian and American customs.

When is the best time to hike?
The season on the trails generally goes from mid-June through the end of September. The earlier dates tend to have a bit more snow at the higher elevations. Once you get into September, typically there is a bit more precipitation and colder temperatures up on passes.

What does AMG do for water treatment on the trail?
AMG carries steri-pens for water treatment. Additionally, we also have iodine tablets as a back-up, and boil water.

When do I meet my guide?
We arrange for a pre-trip meeting the evening before the hike begins. You will meet your guide, and go over all of your clothing and equipment to make sure you have everything that you need.

What are the tent arrangements?
We are happy to offer single tents for all of our guests. Keep in mind that this will likely increase pack weight. Most guests utilize a 2 person tent. If you are a group of 3, we can easily accommodate with 3 person tents as well.

What is the food like during the trip?
Our meals are planned with bases such as rice, pasta, and other grains on a nightly basis. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be had most days, and canned and smoked meats and fish add a great source of protein. Meals will be very similar to what you would cook at home, and we definitely aim to please with interested and varied menus and good presentation.
Breakfast – breakfast is typically hot cereal, with some additional dried fruit. Occasionally we’ll have a longer breakfast such as pancakes or eggs on the shorter hiking days. Hot drinks such as tea, coffee, hot cocoa and cider are always appreciated on cool mornings.
Lunch – depending on the day, we may enjoy a bagel lunch with smoked salmon and cream cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or we may stop for a hot grilled cheese sandwich and some soup at a warming hut. We always have a variety of travel snacks to keep our energy up on the trail.
Dinner – Pesto Spaghetti, Thai rice noodles, Burritos, or Thanksgiving with mashed potatoes, cranberries and chicken are a few examples. We strive to have a nutritious, tasty meal that also balances some of the weight considerations and perishability of foods.

Trip Documents:

• Equipment List – Overview of personal clothing and equipment that you’ll need for this trip.
• Rental Gear List – List of trekking gear, and personal items available for rent
• Registration Form – Outlines policies, and essential information. One required per participant.
• Health Form – This form enables our guides to have accurate health information in the event of an emergency.
• Land Based Activity Waiver – One required per participant over the age of 18.
• Travel Info – Helpful information on how to get to/from Haines, Alaska.

What is included in the trip price:

• Camping gear – group camping equipment, tents, stoves, etc…
• Expedition food – all food while out in the field.
• Transportation during trip – travel to our trailhead, and travel back to Haines at the end of the trip.
• Professional guides – Our guides have extensive knowledge of the area and a passion for backpacking in wild places.

Guests are responsible for the following:

• Personal clothing & equipment – review the equipment list included under “Documents”.
• Food & Lodging in town – We are happy to make recommendations on lodging in town.
• Trip insurance – we highly recommend trip insurance for all of our programs.
• Airfare – review the “Travel Information” under “Documents” for more details.
• Reviewing trip policies – please reference our policies page for policies regarding payment, cancellations, refunds and guest responsibilities.
• Gratuities

To Book your adventure, follow the steps below:

1. 1. Please call to confirm availability at 1-800-766-3396 or fill out an online form to request more information via this link:

Contact Us

2. Place a deposit of $500 or 25% of trip cost (whichever is less) to reserve your spot: this can be place over the phone by credit card, check in the mail, or through our payment gateway.
3. Once you’ve reserved your spot, you’ll receive a welcome packet with all the necessary registration forms and trip information.
4. We kindly ask that you submit all of the necessary trip registration information at least 45 days prior to your trip.

Feel free to call or email anytime if you have questions about your upcoming trip. Our team is excited to help you prepare for your adventure!

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