WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS 
BASE CAMP TOURING

​We fly into the range from Chitina, AK with our Tebay Lodge lead pilot, Jay Claus. From our base camp we set off on full day tours with light packs, returning to the comforts of camp at the end of each day. Living in the heart of this kingdom, we become intimately familiar with the surrounding terrain, arcing turns on long wide open glaciers, ascending aesthetic ridge lines, booting up couloirs, high fiving on summits, and enjoying skiing and riding in its many forms.

April is our preferred time for this trip due to milder temperatures, which makes the prospect of big mountain snow camping a more reasonable endeavor.

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WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THIS TRIP?

Unlike similar trips in the Chugach or Alaska Range, where we go is a pristine blank slate. Just our group, and maybe some occasional wolverine tracks. No helicopters buzzing around and no ski tracks from previous groups. This is a true wilderness experience on a level you won't find anywhere else.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
We have been guiding in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park for over 15 years, including both lodge-based trips like Tebay Lodge, and base camp trips like this one. Through our partnership with Ultima Thule Outfitters, we have deep collective knowledge to draw on. This is a massive area with no avalanche center and limited weather resources. During the spring season, our guides are out in these mountains on a daily basis.

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EXPEDITION LIFE

This trip involves sleeping in a tent on snow and living in a remote winter environment. "Expedition life" minus the heavy backpack. With the right gear, this can be a comfortable existence and a special part of the experience. We have a central dome tent that serves as our kitchen and hang out space, and separate sleeping tents. You'll want a sleeping bag rated to -20 degrees for this trip. If a heated lodge is more your speed, check out our Tebay Lodge program.

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WHO IT'S FOR

We welcome skiers and riders from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and experience levels. For the safety and success of the group, as well as your own enjoyment, it is important that you come to the Wrangells physically and mentally prepared for adventure skiing in a big mountain environment:

• Advanced skiing or riding ability: you should be confident in black diamond terrain at the ski area, and capable of getting down double black diamond runs. Backcountry snow conditions can range from high quality (powder, corn), to survival mode (wind board, breakable crust) – it's important that you are proficient moving through all types of snow.

• Uphill touring experience: You should have at least 15 days of touring under your belt, with solid kick turns, and efficient transitions.

• Excellent physical fitness is required. A typical day of touring includes 4000+ vertical feet of ascent.

• Previous mountaineering experience is not required for this trip.