Tallest of all North American peaks, Mount McKinley is famous for its unforgiving weather. Read more →
Glacier Travel Instruction
Overview
Build a strong foundation, or advance to the next level of glacier mountaineering skills, through one-day or multi-day clinics that cater to you.
- Availability
- On Request
- Duration
- 1 Day, Custom Multi Day
- Begins In
- Anchorage or McCarthy
- Ends In
- Anchorage or McCarthy
- Accommodations
- Contact Us
- Transportation
- Shuttle and Bush Plane
- Difficulty
- Novice, Intermediate, Advanced
- Priced From
- Contact Us
Develop and Review Skills
• Climbing knots and efficient rope-handling techniques
• Crampon and ice-ax techniques for snow, ice and mixed terrain
• Belay skills in a variety of mountaineering systems (rope-team, running belay, etc)
• Snow and ice anchors
• Route finding through crevassed terrain
• Recognize where avalanches are a hazard
• Single-rescuer and multi-rescuer crevasse extraction techniques
Itinerary
As with all Wild Alpine adventures, the itinerary for your next glacier travel training is entirely unique and caters to you. Contact us to begin planning your expedition.
Recommended 1-day Schedule
9:00 am: Meet your instructor in Anchorage or Girdwood.
10:00 am: Arrive at learning terrain and suit up.
10:30 am – 1:00 pm: Morning session: skills review and custom clinics.
1:00 pm: Lunch
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Afternoon session: custom clinics and exploring.
6:00 pm: Return to Anchorage or Girdwood.
Recommended 6-day Schedule
Day 1: Meet your instructor in Anchorage for pre-trip meetings, in-town prep.
Day 2: Travel to remote icefields, establish camp.
Day 3 – 5: Travel over glaciated terrain, skill clinics.
Day 6: Return to Anchorage.
About the Area
Denali National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
Bigger than Switzerland and three times the size of Yellowstone, this U.S. National Park is part of the largest internationally protected ecosystem. Read more →
Wrangell Mountains
Active and dormant volcanoes, historic settlements, and abundant wildlife characterize this great region. Read more →
Saint Elias Mountains
One of the world's great ranges, on par with the Andes and Himalaya. Read more →
Chugach Range
Popular for its proximity to Anchorage plus year-round road, bush plane, helicopter and boat access. Read more →
Alaska Range
Sweeping through the interior, the Alaska Range includes five smaller ranges and North Americas tallest peak: 20,320 ft Denali. Read more →
FAQs
What is the weather going to be like during my visit? When talking about weather, “summer” means late May through early September. Average summer temperatures range from 33 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. While rare, it has been known to snow in July, so be prepared for cold weather. June through August are the rainiest months, although yearly … Continue reading
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve FAQs
What is the difference between National Park and Preserve? A National Park is an area of unusual scenic or historic interest owned by the federal government and administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to conserve the scenery, the flora and fauna, and any natural and historical objects within its boundaries … Continue reading
Resources
Mountaineering Gear List
Guests are responsible for bringing appropriate outdoor clothing and mountaineering gear. This packing list will help to ensure you have everything you need for your adventure. Plan your travel wardrobe around informal and comfortable clothing.
The weather in Alaska is quite variable and changes quickly. High quality waterproof gear is worth the investment, especially for the summer months. Always choose wool or synthetics over cotton; cotton does not easily dry and once wet has no insulation. The key to success: bring lots of layers and always be prepared! You’ll find that when your gear and attitude are good, the weather is always good too!
Click on each item for more details.
Technical Equipment Checklist
– Alpine Bod or Couloir Harness
– 3 Large Locking Pear-shaped Carabiners
– 4 Wire Gate Carabiners
– 7m (21’) 6–7 mm Cordallete
– 2 Long Sewn Runners
– Crampons
– Raven Pro or Venom Ice Axe
– Mountaineering Boots
Clothing Checklist
– Light-weight Wicking T-shirt
– Mid-weight Long Sleeve Shirt
– Lightweight Long Underwear Top and Bottom
– Wind Shirt
– Puffy Jacket
– Soft Shell Pant
– Hard Shell Pants and Jacket
– Gloves
– Liner Gloves
– Mittens
– Socks
– Warm Ski Hat
– Balaclava (optional)
– Baseball Cap or Sunhat
Accessories
– Sun Glasses or Glacier Glasses
– Polarized Goggles
– Sunscreen
– Lip and Nose Balm
– Headlamp
– Camera
– Water bottle or Water Bladder
– Small Personal First Aid Kit
– A SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (optional, your guides will have one as well)
Camping Gear
– Sleeping Bag
– Sleeping Pad and Ridge Rest
– Bowl
– Spoon




