Developed as a guided route a few years ago, and becoming increasingly popular the last two years, we’re excited to highlight the High Pass Odyssey Backpacking trip! A 6 day trip, best suited for those with some previous backpacking experience, this trip links up two beautiful airstrips in the Wrangell Mountains and covering some incredible terrain in-between. Featuring glacial travel, expansive views of mountains and valleys, and a campsite on a high alpine pass, this trip has it all! A great “sampling” of backpacking in the Wrangell Mountains, this trip is sure to get your sense of adventure in gear!
Starting off at the iceberg-filled Nizina Lake, this route crosses the Nizina Glacier and works its way up to a high alpine pass, featuring beautiful views of the rugged Wrangell Mountain peaks and valleys filled with flowing glaciers. The high pass affords great day hiking opportunities for those who would prefer a break from a heavy backpacking pack. Descending the backside of the high unnamed pass, you’ll drop down to the expansive Frederika Glacier, following its streams into moulins (deep shafts carved into the glacier ice by melting surface water) as you hike down towards the glacier’s toe.
Exiting the glacier, you’ll say goodbye to crampons and glacier travel for the rest of the trip, as you follow Frederika Creek to its confluence with Skolai Creek, exploring an abandoned trapper’s cabin along the way. From here, you’ll continue uphill, following faint game trails leading up to Skolai Pass. A nice place to camp, and known for its great day hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities, you’ll have a day to explore the Skolai tundra before getting picked up by bush plane and flying back to McCarthy.
Like all our trips, the High Pass Odyssey Backpacking Trip includes professional, experienced backpacking guides with extensive local knowledge and medical training. We provide all the food for the backcountry portions of our trip, as well as shared group gear for everyone to use. All you need to bring is your personal gear, and you’ll be good to go! For more information about this trip, give us a call! We’re happy to help you start planning your dream Alaska vacation!
