Is prior experience needed for glacier hiking or ice climbing?

No prior experience is required, but participants should be physically fit and comfortable with outdoor activities.

Layered clothing, waterproof gear, sturdy boots, and personal essentials like sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended.

Trip details vary; meals are typically included or can be arranged upon request—check with the guides for specifics.

What happens if weather cancels activities?

Guides prioritize safety and will reschedule activities or provide alternative options if weather conditions are unsafe.

Is there a minimum age?

Participants generally need to be at least 12 years old; age restrictions may vary depending on activity intensity.

How physically demanding is this trip?

The trip is challenging but manageable with good fitness; some activities require strength and stamina, especially glacier hikes and whitewater rafting.

Alaska Adventure at St. Elias Alpine Guides in McCarthy | Guided Tour | History Tour

Tucked into the rugged terrain of McCarthy, Alaska, St. Elias Alpine Guides offers an intense three-day journey that immerses adventurers in one of North America’s most dramatic wilderness areas. The region, renowned for its glacier-carved valleys and towering peaks, beckons those eager to experience Alaska’s raw beauty firsthand. Their Three-Day Adventure Package combines adrenaline, stunning scenery, and cultural highlights, making it a standout choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

On this whirlwind trip, visitors choose between ice climbing or glacier hiking—both options deliver an up-close encounter with Alaska’s icy giants. Imagine strapping into crampons with your guide, ascending shimmering ice formations, or tracking along the jagged edges of thick, ancient glaciers. After a day of icy adventures, raft the wild Kennicott River, bouncing through whitewater and taking in the glacier-studded landscape that surrounds you.

A scenic flight back over jagged peaks and glowing glaciers offers a bird’s-eye perspective on the terrain that has shaped this extraordinary landscape. The trip also includes a guided exploration of historic Kennecott, a former copper mining town nestled in the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. Here, remnants of old buildings tell stories of pioneering days and hard-won extraction, adding a cultural layer to your adventure.

St. Elias Alpine Guides has established itself as a pillar of outdoor recreation in the area, providing expertly guided trips that prioritize safety while pushing boundaries. Their knowledge of the terrain ensures each trip is tailored to the skill level of participants, fostering an environment where thrill-seekers and curious sightseers alike can thrive.

This adventure isn’t just about the thrill—it’s about experiencing the vast, unspoiled wilderness of Alaska in a high-impact, authentic way. Whether tackling ice formations or floating past glaciers, visitors leave with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for this remote corner of the world.

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.