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907.350.3710 |
March, 2009 |
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Skirting the base of Pyramid Peak.
In this issue:
> Interview with Rick & Janette
> Featured Trek: Pyramid Peak
It's always satisfying when guests return for a second trip with us. Rick and Janette have done three trips with Trek Alaska and we're working on plans for a really special trek for next summer to mark their fourth anniversary.
So I thought it would be fun to chat with them a bit in this newsletter about the treks they've done, what attracted them to Trek Alaska and what keeps them coming back for more.
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Audio Interview with |
And here's a video interview shot this summer with John and Claire Hardin at the foot of Pyramid Peak!
2009 Schedule Update
Just a quick update on trips scheduled for this summer. We filled up a Skyscraper trek in August last week as well as a Steamboat Hills trip.
So some time slots in August are starting to get crowded. Mid July is currently a good bet for the Seven Pass or Pyramid Peak treks. Take a look at the calendar page to check availability. This is the time of year where things can change quickly however, and a trek with 2-3 open spots can be sold out a week later. The end of March and early April is usually a very busy time for bookings.
If you're planning a June trip you should make your plans very soon.
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Views from the ridges around Pyramid Peak |
I've talked about this trek before, but I want to highlight it a bit this month because it's such a special route.
One of the things that makes it a favorite of mine is that it's so remote. All of Wrangell-St. Elias is remote but even here there are degrees of "out there".
The backcountry airstrip where the trek begins is not more than two worn tracks in the grass next to Canyon Creek. It's such a small strip that we have to fly in one at a time in a Super Cub. The views on the way in are real jaw droppers and give us a preview of what we'll be looking at for the next week.
Trek Alaska is the only guide service that covers this route. In all the times we've done the trek we have never seen anyone else on the route. A lot of our clients are avid backpackers and the solitude on this route is something they find just amazing. It's not just that there are no people but you can sit on the side of a ridge and look out for miles and know that there aren't any road, trails, campsites... or people, as far as you can see.
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Another face of Pyramid Peak. |
Another big plus of this trip is that it's a great choice for those seeking a challenging experience without going too over the top. We used to do the trip in 6 days but sometimes it can take half a day just to ferry everyone into Canyon Creek. So I added an extra day which really takes the pressure off the first day. We now tackle our first big ridge crossing on the second day instead of right out of the gate on day one.
And in fact, the whole trek works out so that we alternate between days that are more challenging and days that are either shorter or not as demanding. Our revised itinerary also allows for a layover day in the middle. How we use that day has been different every time we do the trek. Sometimes we take off on a full-day side hike to get up close to the base of Pyramid Peak and sometimes we just lazy around camp and rest our feet. It's up to the group. And the terrain in that spot makes it easy for people to take off on their own for a side hike if they want to explore a bit on their own.
But what makes the trip such a standout for me is the fantastic views that greet us at the top of each new ridge. My favorite is from the shoulder of Andrus. It's a sometimes-challengin hike up and over, but the views are eye-popping and the vista is sweeping.
After several days of being in the high country we drop down to Rex Creek. It's always fun to kick around the collapsing ruins of Chititu Camp - a former gold mining settlement from early in the last century.
If you would like more information on this trip, visit the web page or email me for a copy of the itinerary. Check the calendar for availability of scheduled group trips.
High camp on the Wrangell/Skyscraper Route.
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And that's it for this month. If you're thinking about a trek this summer then give us a call soon and let us help plan your Alaskan Adventure.
Till next time... happy trails!
Trip Matrix
| Easier to Moderate | Moderate to Strenuous |
Strenuous | Most Challenging |
Steamboat Hills |
Iceberg Lake |
Seven Pass Pyramid Peak |
Wrangell/Skyscraper |
info@trekalaska.com -
http://www.TrekAlaska.com - 907.350.3710
Trek Alaska
PO Box 771862
Eagle River, AK 99577
