THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Tackle a thrilling 12-day climb of University Peak in Alaska’s remote St. Elias Mountains. Perfect for seasoned climbers ready to take on a challenging and rewarding alpine adventure.
Tackle a thrilling 12-day climb of University Peak in Alaska’s remote St. Elias Mountains. Perfect for seasoned climbers ready to take on a challenging and rewarding alpine adventure.
Book with St. Elias Alpine Guides
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by St. Elias Alpine Guides · McCarthy, Alaska
Join St. Elias Alpine Guides for an epic 12-day climb of University Peak, an extraordinary and rarely accessed challenge in Alaska’s St. Elias Mountains. This expedition is designed for experienced mountaineers eager to test their skills on rugged terrain while enjoying some of the most stunning alpine views in North America. Starting from the remote town of McCarthy, the journey takes you deep into pristine wilderness with vast glaciers, steep rock faces, and unpredictable weather conditions. Each day brings a new challenge, from glacier travel to technical climbing sections, encouraging camaraderie and resilience among participants. Beyond the physical thrill, you'll find moments of quiet reflection in a landscape that remains untouched by the masses. The combination of expert guides, small group intimacy, and the chance to stand on a summit few have reached makes this trip truly unforgettable. Whether you seek personal achievement, connection with nature, or a combination of climbing and wellness, University Peak Expedition offers an unparalleled experience.
expert.
12 days.
Participants should be in excellent physical condition with high endurance and strength for sustained alpine climbing.
This expedition is designed for expert climbers with prior glacier travel and technical ice climbing experience.
Yes, acclimatization is important due to altitude and sustained physical exertion; some preparation trips are recommended.
McCarthy is a remote Alaskan town reachable by small plane or a rough road; logistics for gear transport are coordinated by guides.
All participants will be instructed and equipped for crevasse rescue drills, with guides leading rope teams for safety.
Travelers often stay in Anchorage before departure and return for accommodations; McCarthy offers limited basic lodging.
No, this expedition requires advanced technical skills and physical fitness; beginners should consider less demanding climbs.
McCarthy was once a booming mining town during the early 20th century and now serves as a gateway to the St. Elias wilderness.
Visitors are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles to protect the fragile alpine ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
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