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Alaska advice needed

PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:34 pm
by JanVanGenk
I'm going to Denali until June 4, 2010 (this is a tentative fly-out date from the Kahiltna BC). After that, I would still have 10 days left in Alaska, and no exact plans yet. Thought of going to the Wrangell range, but not sure that 10 days is sufficient for climbing there.

Any advice what to do? I'll be alone for those 10 days, is there anybody who would like to join me on a wilderness (climbing) trip?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:42 pm
by OPHIRTODD
Not sure how long you've got allocated for your Denali climb, but consider that you could easily have an extra number of days on your hands. It might sound touristy, but taking the bus up the Park road to Wonder Lake and camping/hiking for a bit provides a pretty cool sens of context for the big mountain you've just been on. The 18,000' of relief up the north side and the tundra, teeming with wildlife is quite the experience.

Keep it an option for extra days post-Denali and pre-whatever else you plan. Also-10 days is often plenty of time for a quick trip into the Wrangells or the Alaska Range, if the weather is good. As you'll probably spend a day of your 10 day window prepping and another driving to Paul's strip, with another back to Anchorage, you're looking at a 7 day window. If you just stay in Talkeetna and see a favorable window, you're in the Range in 45 minutes... Flying into Little Switzerland or the Ruth feels way different than the Kahiltna, so even though you're not experiencing another Range, you might get more bang for your time limitations...

Have a blast!

PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 3:54 pm
by ExcitableBoy
What about experiencing some of the other wonderful oppourtunities Alaska has to offer? Maybe head to the coast and do a whale watching charter or rent a sea kayayk and do some traveling that way?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:11 pm
by 96avs01
After our climb we did a 3 day backpack in Denali State Park and then toured Kenai Fjords Nat'l Park. Lots of options up there...

PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:42 pm
by Sierra Ledge Rat
June 4th is pretty late in the season for any more alpine climbing in the mountains.

If you insist on staying in the mountains, fly into the Ruth Gorge on the other side of Denali.

Be careful if you try any walls, shit will be avalaaaaanching like crazy. Might even be too late for a stroll down the Great Gorge (crevasses).

PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 8:18 pm
by bdynkin
A visit to McCarthy is also worth considering. McCarthy (~250 paved miles + ~ 50 miles on dirt road) from Anchorage is a "gateway" to Wrangel-St.Elias. You can do rafting, hiking and scrambling right from McCarthy and much more if you use a bush plane. You will probably have neither time nor desire for snow and ice after Denali.

Valdez is another place to consider. You can rent a boat at Valdez pier and spend a few days camping and fishing on small islands in Valdez Arm. We went there 3 times as recuperation after backpacking or climbing and it was great.

PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:44 pm
by chugach mtn boy
There are so many possibilities, but for a complete change of pace you could make your way to Cordova (lots to see on the way) and then let Gayle at Fishing & Flying (grandma and bush pilot, a good combination) fly you out to Kayak Island. You will almost certainly be the only person on the island. I think you can stay in the old boathouse by the abandoned lightkeepers cottage or in a wrecked boat. At least, you could in the past.
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