TATSHENSHINI RIVER TATSHENSHINI RIVER EXPEDITION - GLACIERS, GRIZZLIES & BALD EAGLES The Tatshenshini/Alsek rivers rated #1 river trip in the world in National Geographics “Journey of a lifetime”! FLOATING AMONG THE BERGS ON ALSEK LAKE, WITH MOUNT FAIRWEATHER IN THE BACKGROUND. GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA. TRIP DETAILS YOUR TRIP → Became well known in the late Shawshe (Dalton Post), Yukon 1980s after a controversial, proposed to Dry Bay, Alaska, this river → Flows through the world’s largest copper mine and road in the heart of journeys through the traditional non-polar ice cap with some of the the region were stopped. lands of the Champagne Aishihik world’s most active glaciers (see it First Nation: 255 kilometres (160 while you still can). miles) with an elevation drop of → Rafters float through a stunning, ITINERARY 550 metres (approx 1,800 feet). iceberg-filled lake. DAY 0 – WHITEHORSE, YUKON SKILL LEVEL → Part of the world’s largest bio- preserve. Beginner - The guides navigate This is the first date listed for your with oars & paddling by → Bald eagles and grizzlies abound. trip. Please note that meals are participants is optional for those excluded on day 0. who want more activity! → World’s tallest coast range mountain – Mount Fairweather – Your journey north from your home RENDEZVOUS POINT also BC’s tallest. will be a refreshing departure. You High Country Inn, Whitehorse, → Flows through the Yukon, British will fly over the largest expanse Yukon Columbia, Alaska, Glacier Bay of wilderness in the world with National Park, Tatshenshini-Alsek stunning views on cloudless days. DURATION Provincial Park, to its denouement at Passing through quieter and the Gulf of Alaska. 11 River Days friendlier airports, you will begin to → Great hiking with abundant wildlife immerse yourself in the wilderness TRIP TYPE and wildflowers. experience that is about to unfold. Raft FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE FAQS AT NAHANNI.COM PAGE 1 The scheduled flights arrive in years. Further on, we will visit the of the Tatshenshini and out into the Whitehorse throughout the day. Kluane National Park Interpretive broader valley, we will be paddling Aim to arrive by 5pm. Please make Centre. We then head south into the out of the Yukon and entering your way to your hotel and plan to Kluane Game Sanctuary. British Columbia. In June 1993 the rendezvous with your guides in the BC portion of the Alsek and Tat was lobby of the High Country Inn at 7pm The next leg of our journey will take preserved with the declaration of the for an orientation meeting. There will us through the stunning scenery of Tatshenshini-Alsek Park and is now be a chance for last-minute questions the Haines Pass. Our objective is the a Canadian Heritage River. The Tat- concerning clothing, gear, packing U.S. Customs Post at Pleasant Camp Alsek watershed is the heartland of and other details. where we clear U.S. Customs before the largest protected wilderness area the trip. You may be tempted to have in the world. Whitehorse is a great place to spend an afternoon nap during the drive, a few extra days. The historic sites but the scenery will keep you riveted! After an exciting day in the rapids, are interesting and there are local day Later in the afternoon we arrive at we will relax and we will relax and hikes, bike trails, canoe rentals, dog Dalton Post, now known as Shäwshe, enjoy a riverside evening at camp. mushing kennels to visit as well as reflecting its heritage with the a National Historic Site and several Champagne Aishihik First Nations. DAY 3 – BALD EAGLES museums. Following a safety orientation we will load the rafts and push off. The culinary delights for which we are Renting a car for a day trip through famous are once again whipped up by the White Pass to Skagway, Alaska is At this point the Tatshenshini is a our talented guides. Today, in contrast a popular outing. narrow stream. Watched by bald to the swift rapids we have descended, eagles, we will travel a short distance the river meanders quietly but surely DAY 1 – SCENIC ALPINE DRIVE TO THE before reaching our first camp. through the broad valley dotted with RIVER oxbow lakes. This region is home to DAY 2 – CANYON WHITEWATER moose, beaver, bald eagles, osprey Following breakfast (not covered), and many species of waterfowl. we will meet in the hotel lobby at Another safety briefing will prepare Throughout the day the many 8am and will embark on our journey us for the day. Before long, as tributaries of the Tatshenshini cause up the Alaska Highway. Along the we float deeper into the St. Elias it to swell until it has doubled in way we will visit Kwaday Dan Kenji Mountains (19,850 feet) we will volume from our previous campsite. (translated: Long Ago Peoples Place). encounter Class II-III whitewater Here we are treated to our first view jubilantly welcoming us into a land of the dramatic Alsek Range. Here we will meet First Nation elders without roads. This is the most DAY 4 – RIDGES & MOUNTAIN GOATS and see examples of traditional continuous whitewater of the trip. shelters and living skills used by Weather permitting, this is a hiking First Nations in the region for 10,000 As we pass through the narrow gorge day. We will spend the time exploring YOUR HOME WITH VIEWS OF WALKER GLACIER. ROBERT PURNEY FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE FAQS AT NAHANNI.COM PAGE 2 the local area. A hike up to an open DAY 7 – GLACIERS ABOUND more beautiful glaciers including the ridge offers everyone the chance to Novatak, nearly six miles wide where overlook the river and surrounding Today we begin to see the many it sprawls towards the river. area. A further hike along the ridge glaciers of the area. From our camp As Mount Fairweather (15,300 feet) offers an alpine meadow hosting an at Melt Creek, near the confluence appears around the bend, dwarfing endless variety of wildflowers. of the Alsek River, we can count 27 the surrounding 7,000-feet peaks, a different glaciers. Glorious views can narrow sliver of a peninsula separates Those who are more adventurous be seen in all directions. the river from Alsek Lake. can continue to climb another 1,000 metres to the top for a spectacular DAY 8 – CONFLUENCE OF GREAT RIVERS Here the Alsek and Grand Plateau view of some of the glaciers of the Glaciers occupy several miles of Alsek Range. Now, as we speed along with the shoreline where they “calve” huge current, the voluminous Alsek River slabs of ice into the lake issuing a This area is known as Goat Ridge and joins us from the north. So large thundering roar. The iceberg-studded often, if we are lucky, we glimpse is the confluence that it is difficult lake is an enchanting place to camp. mountain goats feeding on the open to know exactly where our route Every night you will cozy up in your tundra of the high plateau. lies. The Noisy Range overlooks the tent in the comforts that are the confluence where the Tatshenshini hallmark of our journeys. DAY 5 & 6 – ST. ELIAS RANGE disappears in the shadow of the looming Pentice Ice Cap. DAY 10 – GRAND PLATEAU GLACIER We float past the Carmine peaks and the O’Connor River with great views The surrounding peaks become On our layover day, we will relax and of the far off St. Elias Range. Here we higher and increasingly majestic, enjoy a hike to overlook the bergs on see signs of recent glacial action. robed in glaciers. We stop at the the lake. base of Walker Glacier and its huge The river picks up speed and becomes moraines. DAY 11 – DRY BAY, GULF OF ALASKA & very braided after an exciting rapid FLIGHT BACK TO WHITEHORSE called Monkey Wrench. Moose, During the night you may hear ice mountain goats, grizzly bears and falls – huge blocks roaring down The Alsek now passes through a bald eagles often frequent the wide from the heights where they have transition from the tallest peaks gravel riverbanks. Later, dinner broken free. on the continent to the broad, flat is served; you will enjoy another Pacific coastline. In this valley we delicious and nutritious meal with have a vertical distance of over 15,000 fresh produce that our guides DAY 9 – ALSEK LAKE & BERGS feet between us and the highest continually provide throughout the peaks, an overall elevation difference trip. Back on the river after Cat-in-the- greater than that of the Himalayas. Washing-Machine rapid we float past Back on the river we pull into shore WHITE WATER FUN IN THE CANYON. NOEL HENDRICKSON FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE THE FAQS AT NAHANNI.COM PAGE 3 at the tiny fishing community of Dry Your guides will adjust the schedule SUGGESTED READING Bay where our plane will rendezvous to make the best use of river and with us in the afternoon. weather conditions. Please ensure Your guides will carry a small reference that you have a warm winter jacket library which include field reference The location is home to a small group (think down coat or other ‘Puffy’). books. Following are some books for of seasonal fishermen. The only Robust rain gear (top and bottom) are winter reading: access is by air or boat. In all but the provided as are lifejackets. worst weather, the bush plane will A Naturalist’s Guide to the pick us up and fly us back through Rain boots are recommended, we can Tatshenshini-Alsek by Heather the Coast and St.