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Challenge yourself on a remote, expert-led climb of Mt. St. Elias, Alaska’s towering wilderness giant. Discover why few venture here and why it’s an unforgettable mountaineering experience.
Challenge yourself on a remote, expert-led climb of Mt. St. Elias, Alaska’s towering wilderness giant. Discover why few venture here and why it’s an unforgettable mountaineering experience.
Book with St. Elias Alpine Guides
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Operated by St. Elias Alpine Guides · McCarthy, Alaska
Take on the challenge of a lifetime with the Mount St. Elias Expedition, guided by St. Elias Alpine Guides in McCarthy, Alaska. As the second highest peak in the U.S. and Canada, Mt. St. Elias offers climbers a rare and exhilarating experience far from the crowds. This expedition ventures deep into the Alaskan wilderness, where every step is surrounded by vast glaciers, rugged terrain, and expansive views of untouched nature. The climb requires skill, endurance, and a thirst for adventure, but with expert guides by your side, you’ll be supported every step of the way. The remote location means few climbers attempt this summit, giving you a true sense of exploring one of the wildest places on the continent. Beyond the climb itself, you'll have the chance to absorb the unique beauty of McCarthy and learn about the rich history of this mining town. This expedition is designed for those who crave a serious mountaineering challenge combined with the chance to push personal limits amid breathtaking Alaskan landscapes. Whether you're an experienced climber or an advanced mountaineer, this journey promises stories and memories that will last forever.
expert.
2–4 weeks.
Participants should have excellent cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and experience with multi-day alpine climbs.
This expedition is designed for expert climbers with prior experience in glacier travel, ice climbing, and multi-day mountaineering trips.
The optimal climbing season is summer, from late June to early September, due to longer daylight and more stable weather.
Gradual acclimatization and physical conditioning are essential to minimize altitude sickness on this high-elevation expedition.
Permits are generally not required to climb, but check with local authorities in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park for any access regulations.
They offer professionally guided climbs with expert route knowledge, safety training, and logistical support throughout the expedition.
Due to the technical nature and difficulty, the trip is best suited for experienced climbers; beginners are encouraged to pursue less technical routes first.
Mt. St. Elias was first summited in 1897 and is named after the biblical prophet Elijah by Vitus Bering in 1741 during his expedition.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park prioritizes low-impact travel and sustainable practices to preserve this pristine wilderness for future generations.
St. Elias Alpine Guides is a guiding company based in McCarthy, Alaska, offering guided adventures throughout Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and surrounding wilderness. The company leads a range of trips including packrafting, multi-day rafting, glacier hiking, ice climbing, fly-in hiking, and private basecamp expeditions. Popular itineraries include Doubtful–Nizina Packrafting, Tebay Lakes Basecamp Packrafting, Chitina River trips, Western Copper River rafting, Raft and Flightsee, Full-Day Glacier Hike on Root Glacier, Skolai Pass fly-in hiking, Bremner Mine basecamp hiking, and multi-day Ice Climbing and Ice Climbing Camp programs. Trips are available as scheduled group departures or fully private, customizable experiences with options for day trips and multi-day expeditions. Many itineraries accommodate families and groups; for example, Chitina River trips welcome guests ages eight and up and Western Copper River trips can include children as young as three. Several trips conclude with scenic bush plane flights or operate from remote fly-in access points. St. Elias Alpine Guides emphasizes small-group guiding, route planning, and trip customization to match client skill levels and objectives. Guides provide logistics, gear guidance, and route choices appropriate to each itinerary. Booking information lists fixed departures for some trips and private-date options for others, with clear descriptions of duration and difficulty. The company’s offerings focus on authentic wilderness experiences in McCarthy, Root Glacier, Tebay Lakes, the Copper River corridor, and surrounding Alaskan river systems. Clients can select multi-day basecamps, day hikes, guided ice-climbing instruction, or combined raft-and-flightsee itineraries to tailor pace, challenges, and family needs. Booking details and gear lists.
Book with St. Elias Alpine Guides