Route27

Here is a prediciment we were all in last year when the ranger sent us looking for a “short cut”

Brad… here it is in your own words… wont you reconsider

Probably best plan will be for all to try to arrive on Saturday (26th) whenever you can get in. As soon as last person arrives, we can take off for the pickup point in rental cars. Art is also checking to see how much more expensive it would be to have the plane come pick us up closer to Anchorage so we can avoid having to get cars. Either way, we’ll be dropped off in the wilderness on Sunday early afternoon and have roughly a week to get back out. Art is going to forward more detailed info on to us after he talks to the folks at McCarthy Air. We can then try to locate maps, etc. Landing points are probably going to be old air strips used at one time by mining companies. There are two recommended routes out - the high road and the low road. High road is alpine (less bugs!!!) but will involve scree climbs and other discomforts (bring your gators and ski poles!!!). The low road involves at least one river crossing - so it may be that this way is blocked anyhow. Both routes involve some sections of trail and some sections of off-trail land nav. Therefore, I’m expecting detailed terrain models over coffee each morning from Hayes before stepping off. Not expecting a lot of mileage in any one day, but will no doubt be lost on multiple occassions and will back track enough to satisfy all of those craving long days of forced marching!

Art says he’s got a .357 that he can bring along. With that, Mehdi’s immediate action flash cards and safety briefings, and Andy’s bear bells we should be fine. Maybe some pepper spray in case one of you decides to go Brokeback out there.

I’m going to try to borrow or steal a telephoto lens for this trip. Big horn sheep!!!. Because of all the photography gear, I’ll need Mehdi to carry my water for me this trip. I hope that’s not a problem, Dan.

I think we can plan on being back on Satruday (the 2nd), but who knows at what time. Also, good chance we’ll have a long drive back to Anchorage. Until we hear differently from Art, I’d say flights back on Sunday the 3rd is probably what we’re looking at.

Looking forward to this one!

Fear of Bears is on everyones mind. Just how did we get to this point? Here is what we are doing:

Itinerary Summary

1. Friday, July 25th – Fly into Anchorage
2. July 25th and July 26th – Anchorage Sheraton
3. July 27th – Drive to McCarthy
4. July 27th – McCarthy airdrops us off at Skolai.
5. July 28th – July 30th – hike/camp
6. July 31st – Hike to Chitistone Plateau/Wolverine
7. Friday August 1st – McCarthy Air picks us up at Chitistone Plateau/Wolverine in Morning.
8. Friday August 1st – decide whether to start driving to Anchorage or stay at McCarthy – no hotel accommodations have been made
9. Saturday August 2nd – fly home – all flights are late leaving anchorage so we have time to drive Saturday
10. Sunday August 3rd – get home and relax and think about those whom we lost

Cost

At the end of the trip we will figure out who paid for what and settle up. If we spread the costs of the hotels, van, and air drop/pick-up no one will be too much out of pocket.

A break down of the main costs

* Skolai drop-off and Wolverine pick up - $310 a person – I already put a $750 deposit down
* 2 Nights at the Sheraton in Alaska – approximately $170 a man
* Van - $177 a man plus gas
* Additional Hotel in McCarthy or somewhere along to journey back to Anchorage
* Bender/Strip bar – Priceless

And this is how it all started.

All,

Who is up for going to Alaska in late July or August. I spoke with McCarthy Air who basically flies people into Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and possibly picks them up if they can find the rendezvous point. I told them we are experts and could never possible get lost. See below.
________________________________________________________________________________

Art–
I apologize for taking so long to get back to you…

Our most popular backpacking routes with spectacular scenery, minimal bushwhacking and all around cool stuff revolve around the Goat Trail and variations of it. There are several different options for that route–Skolai to Glacier Creek… Skolai to Chitistone Plateau… Chitistone Plateau to Doubtful Creek… Skolai to Doubtful Creek…
Most of the challenging spots on these trails involve steep traverses on unstable scree, route finding and creek crossings. There is definitely spectacular scenery and a variety of amazing geological features and chances for side day-hiking and climbing various peaks. There is no fishing in this area, though.

We have two areas with plentiful fishing–one is Tebay Lakes. It is not ideal for hiking unless you get out of the valley. I have not been there personally but have flown over it and seen some interesting route possibilities. But, again, few people go there for hiking.

North of the McCArthy valley is the Chisana/Solo Creek area. Lots of hiking area and some lakes with fish. The hiking can be a little wet and boggy depending on the year. It’s a great place. Maybe a little less wow factor as far as the mountains go but still very impressive. There are different variations of hikes that can vary from 10 miles to 60 miles.

There is also a route between Iceberg Lake and Ross Green Lake with several available variations. But, the route is primarily on a glacier. If you’ve got glacier travel experience and feel confident crossing glaciers this route is unparalleled in the park–and there is a lot of area to explore and provide yourself with spectacular side trips.

Also, there is a hike from the Lakina area to several different strips in the area. The hiking is about par with the Goat Trail hiking with less creek crossings. It is a truly spectacular area as well.

As far as time of year I would suggest mid August or late July…depending on what you are looking for. The creek crossings can be significantly higher in July if the weather is hot and there is a lot of glacier/snow melt. In August the weather can be a little cooler and wetter. Let me know what route you are more interested in or if you’ve got any questions and we can work from there.

I look forward to helping you plan your trip.
Jenny
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park’s

some of us hesitated (Brad)

I’ve got no money. Lots of debt. A one year old. A pregnant wife that doesn’t work. And enough sand in my pus#y to make a castle.

Screw it….count me in. I wouldn’t miss this trip and then have to listen to you a-holes talk about how awesome it was on every backpacking trip we ever take for the rest of our lives.

My preference is for a week around Aug 1 +/-. And in the mountains (even if that means fishing is not as good). Fly in and bushwack out straight line to the pick-up point. Creek crossings and grizzlies don’t scare me none, either.

Who else is in so far?

Fears, Concerns?

I have been talking McCarthy Air… http://mccarthyair2.com/page11.html They don’t get back to me too fast, which could be a problem if they where supposed to pick us somewhere.

There is another outfitter I can try as well, although they seem more organized (something I know we are not about)

http://www.wrangellmountainair.com/trips/backpacking.htm

But they do have a list of trails that they provide guided tours.. McCarthy Air said the goat trail is very popular.

http://www.wrangellmountainair.com/backcountry.pdf

So the question is, do we just want to get dropped off somewhere and wing it with Pete in charge of the maps or do we want
someone help create an itinerary.

Thoughts? Concerns? Deepest fears?

We want to be somewhere in between winging it and having guides. And to hell with the 3 day agendas. This is big — we need to treat it that way. 5 nights out, big packs, lots of food, bear spray, maybe even a pistol. It’s Alaska for God’s sake! We’re only gonna do it once!
That being said, we’ll need to do some homework. Maps (no hand-drawn sections and no tourist maps), compasses, GPS, sat phones…the whole 9 yards.
I didn’t see it, but MC needs to bring that flag pole thing he carried in the Tetons, too.
I’ll check out these sites over the weekend.

Those are my thoughts.
Concerns? That people will bail
Fears? Grizzlies. Always the grizzlies.

TJ is scared of bears and being alone in the back-country. He is masking it by pointing out my other ‘experimental’ blog:

Andy will keep you up to date via his personal blog - http://www.route27.net/ and dog blog (if you had any questions about Andy’s orientation, this will only serve to confuse the issue)- http://shichon.blogspot.com/

So we have been planning another mancation backpacking trip in Alaska. I can’t wait to share some of the email exchanges during this. The theme has been guns and being scared of bears.

Here are some beatiful pictures of our destination:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57852891@N00/sets/72057594063340588/

our last contact with civilization, town of McCarty

This will soon be us:

Last year I took a fantastic backcountry trip with the guys in the Grand Tetons.

This year Jennifer Krupinsky and Erich Lusing threw a wedding bash in the Jackson Lodge. Before that Mara, Eric Bohms, Jennifer Weis and I did some backpacking in the Tetons. We took the Death Canyon route. It was a different hike from last year, as due to almost a double then average snow fall there was snow above 9000 feet and a lot of the mountain passes were impassable.

Despite being four months pregnant Mara did a fabulous job. Here are some pictures from the trip. We also did a early morning kayak trip. Enjoy the pictures.