Do I need prior climbing experience to join the Mt. Bona Expedition?

Yes, this is an expert-level expedition requiring technical ice climbing and glacier travel skills.

What is the best time of year to do this expedition?

Late spring through early fall is ideal, with summer offering the warmest, most stable conditions.

Is camping provided or do I need to bring my own tent?

You must bring your own lightweight, high-quality camping gear suitable for alpine conditions.

How remote is the Mt. Bona climb?

Very remote — the closest town is McCarthy, and communication is limited once on the mountain.

Are guides provided, or is this self-supported?

St. Elias Alpine Guides lead the expedition, offering expert guidance and logistical support.

What wildlife might I see during the expedition?

You may encounter mountain goats, Dall sheep, and occasionally bears near lower elevations.

Mt. Bona Expedition: Epic Climbing in Alaska's Wrangells

The Mt. Bona Expedition is a 13-day climbing adventure that takes you deep into Alaska's Wrangell Mountains near McCarthy. Led by St. Elias Alpine Guides, this trip offers an intense experience of 10 days spent in remote backcountry, surrounded by towering peaks, glaciers, and pristine wilderness. Climbers face a demanding expedition with technical ice and snow routes that challenge both skill and endurance, making it perfect for expert mountaineers seeking a true big-mountain experience. Beyond the physical climb, participants will enjoy breathtaking scenery, long days on the ice, and the camaraderie built from tackling a shared goal in an untamed environment. The journey’s remoteness provides a rare opportunity to disconnect and fully immerse yourself in the raw power of Alaska’s alpine landscape. Whether you're embarking solo or with a group, this expedition pushes your limits and rewards you with memories of an unparalleled climbing feat.

About St. Elias Alpine Guides

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.