Wild Alaska Samplersnebulos.mit.edu/majorexcursions/trips/1844.pdf · town, greets visitors with a...

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Onthisspectacularjourney,wewillbehikingandsightseeingduringtheday,stayingincomfortablelodgingatnight,andeatingfreshseafoodandlocalgruballthroughthelongdaysofAlaska’sephemeralsummer.Wewillspend10daysand9nightsexploringAnchorageandtheChugachmountainrange,DenaliNationalPark,andstaywiththelocalsinthefunkymountaintownofTalkeetna.PlusexploreKenaiFjordsNationalPark’smarinelifeandglaciersonacruiseinthefishingportofSeward.Alltold,wewilltravel~800milesthroughpristineAlaskawilderness!

ThistripisforthosewhowanttosampleAlaska.Wewilltakemoderatelevelhikesondayswhenweatherpermits.Expecttobeflexible.Youshouldbefitandexperiencedenoughtohikemultipledaysfor3-6hours,5-8milesandupto2500ft.elevationgainsontypicalAlaskatrails:sometimesrockyanduneven,sometimessteep.WewillspendoneofourdaysonabeautifulcruiseintheKanaiFiords,teamingwithmarinelifeandglacialvistas.

WeleftenoughtimeonourendlesssummertourtoexplorethemanyoptionalactivitiesinAlaska,whetherthatisaDenalisightseeingtour,avisitwiththesleddogs,orlandingonaglacierinabushplane,andsomuchmore.

WildAlaskaSamplerJune24–July3,2018AMC-ATTrip#1844

CliffChambers,LeaderJoanChambers,Leader

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ANCHORAGE (Days 1, 8, 9, 10) AmongthenorthernmostcitiesonEarth,Anchorageisaplacewithbig-cityamenities:finerestaurants,museums,theatersandanexcellentmusicscene.Creatingthebackdroparethesalmon-richwatersofCookInletandthe5,000-foot-pluspeaksofChugachStatePark.Withinashortdrivefromdowntownaredozensofwildernessadventuresandashortplanerideopensupthepossibilityofalmostanytypeadventure.That’sonereasonwhyAnchorage’sLakeHoodistheworld’sbusiestfloatplanebase.Anchorage’s284,994residentsembraceboththeurbanamenitiesandthewildernessbeyondit.

TENTATIVEITINERARY(Subjecttochange)

Sunday,June24–Day1Arrive/StayinAnchorage

Monday,June25–Day2DenaliNationalPark

Tuesday,June26–Day3DenaliNationalPark

Wednesday,June27–Day4Talkeetna

Thursday,June28–Day5Seward/KanaiNationalPark

Friday:June29–Day6Seward/KanaiMarineCruise

Saturday,June30-Day7Seward/HardingIcefield

Sunday,July1–Day8ChugachMtn/Anchorage

Monday,July2–Day9Anchorage

Tuesday,July3–Day10AnchorageandDepart

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DENALI NATIONAL PARK (Days 2, 3) AvisittotheLastFrontierwouldnotbecompletewithoutexperiencingDenaliNationalPark.FeaturingNorthAmerica'stallestmountain,MountDenali,DenaliNationalParkisoneofthemost-visitedNationalParksinthestate.SurroundingDenaliParkistheAlaskaRange,whichincludescountlessotherspectacularmountainsandmanylargeglaciers.Denali'smorethansixmillionacresencompassesacompletesub-arcticeco-system,hometolargemammalssuchasgrizzlybears,wolves,Dallsheep,caribouandmoose.LocatedalongAlaskaRoute3,theGeorgeParksHighway,theentrancetoDenaliNationalParkliesapproximately240milesnorthofAnchorageand125milessouthofFairbanks.

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TALKEETNA(Days4) Thetiny,funkyhamletofTalkeetnaisstraightoutofmanyvisitors’mentalpictureoflifeinsmall-townAlaska.Located115milesnorthofAnchorageintheMat-SuValley,it’sanot-to-be-missedstopinSouthcentralAlaska.

SaidtobetheinspirationforthefictionalcommunityofCicelyinthepopularTVshow“NorthernExposure,”it’snosurpriseTalkeetnaringssotruewithvisitors.Itsartistic,outdoorsyand

creativeresidentsclingproudlytothecharacteroftheircommunityandcelebratetheinfluenceofNorthAmerica’stallestpeak,inwhoseshadowthecommunityrests–Denali.Aturn-of-the-20th-centurygold-miningcenter,TalkeetnahasretainedmuchofitsearlyAlaskaflavor.Logcabins,aroadhouseandclapboardstorefrontslinethedirtstreets.MainStreet,theonlypavedroadintown,greetsvisitorswithahand-hewnsignreading"WelcometoBeautifulDowntownTalkeetna”.GoldbroughtminerstotheSusitnaRiverin1896,andby1910,Talkeetnawasa

riverboatsteamerstation,supplyingminersandtrappersinthenearbyminingdistricts.Thetown’s

populationpeakedatmorethan1,000duringWorldWarI,declinedaftertheAlaskaRailroadwascompletedandhasbouncedbackasthestagingareaforascentsofDenali,MountForaker,theMoose’sToothandscoresofotherhighpeaks.

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SEWARD&KANAINATIONALPARK(Days5,6,7)

ThequaintseasidetownofSeward,lying130milessouthofAnchorage,isthegatewaytothemagnificentKenaiFjordsNationalPark.WithinthecrystalgreenwatersoftheFjordsisanabundantarrayoftidewaterandpiedmontglaciers.Marinewildlifeincludesotters,sealions,harborseals,humpbackandorcawhales,porpoises,puffinsandkittiwakes.KenaiFjordsNationalParkismosteasilyaccessedbytourboatfromSewardorbydrivingouttoExitGlacier,justoutsideofSeward.WildlifeandglacierexhibitsareavailableattheSmallBoatHarborvisitorcenterandtheAlaskaSeaLifeCenter.ScenicSeward,flankedbyruggedmountainstoonesideandsparklingResurrectionBayontheother,hasawayofluringvisitors.Thereisfantastichikingnearby,aquaintdowntownwithgoodrestaurantsandshoppingandtheamazingAlaskaSeaLifeCenter.OnDay6wewillenjoya7.5hourKenaiFjordsNationalParkCruisethatincludesasubstantialbuffetluncheon.AformalDinnerwillnotbeplannedforthisevening,butalighteveningmealcanbeconsideredonyourown.

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LODGING,MEALS&FLIGHTSLodging:LodginginAlaskaisexpensiveduringthehighseasonoftheirlimitedsummerandlimitedaccommodations.Wewillselectavarietyoflodgingbasedonourbudgetwhichwillinclude2beds/roomdoubleoccupancyand~3starrates.Youwillbematchedwithasamegenderroommate,unlessotherwisenotedbyyou.Theseaccommodationsmayrangefromhotelchains,cozycabins,historicinnsorlodges.Wewilllookforthebestvalue,withoutsacrificingcomfortorcleanliness.Ifyouareexpecting5-staraccommodations,thisisnotthetripforyou.Thereisalsonosingleoccupancyrateonthistrip.

Meals:Wewilltrytoeatmostmealstogether.Wearebudgeting$50perdayformeals.Ifyoushouldwishtospendmorethanthebudgetedamount,youwillbeaskedtopaythedifferencewithcashtoeachnight’sdinnerbillpaidbythegroup.Breakfastwillbeonyourownpriortomeeting.Luncheswilllikelybeontheroadortrails.FoodisexpensiveinAlaskaasitisshippedinandcostsaremuchhigherthannormallyexpected.Youmaywishtobudgetadditionalspendingmoneyforfood.Alongtheway,tosavemoney,wewillplanstopsattheAnchorageWalmartorothermarkets,soeachpersoncanshopforthedesiredprovisionsfor2breakfastsand7lunches.OurhotelsinAnchorageandSewardincludecontinentalbreakfasts.

Flights:Alaskaisafarawayland,approximately4000milesfromtheEastCoastanda~10hourplaneride,equivalenttotravelingtoRussia.Itisafulldaytraveltimeyouwillneedtoaccountfor.Thereisa4-hourtimedifferenceinourfavorarriving.Pleaseplantoarriveintimeforourwelcomedinnerandmeeting.YourjourneyshouldstartandendattheTedStevensAnchorageInternationalAirport(ANC).Returningflighttimesmaybeinthemorning.Toadjusttojetlagandpreventanypotentialflightdelays,werecommendpeopletoarriveadayortwoearlierbeforeourofficialtripstartsonSundayJune24,2018.ExtendedstaysarealsoencouragedtoseemoreofAlaska.

TRIPPRICE-$3200Theapproximatepriceforthetrip,$3200,isbasedonresearchatthetimethetripwassubmittedtotheATCommittee(December2017).Someoftheleaders’expensesforthetripandadministrativecoststosupportthetrip

areincludedinthetripcoststobesharedbytheparticipants.Thisisanon-profitexcursionconductedbytheleadersonavolunteerbasis.Anyunforeseenincreasesincostswillbesharedbyallparticipants.AnyfundsremainingafterallexpensesarepaidwillbedividedamongtheparticipantsinaccordancewithAMCAdventureTravelpolicyandoversight.

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Includedintripprice:

• 9nightslodgingdoubleoccupancy/2beds/room• 7breakfastsand8dinners(budgetedat$50perdayperperson)• Groundtransportationintheformofrentalvehicles;thehotelinAnchoragealso

providesafree,localshuttleto/fromtheAirport• Parkentrancefees• 8hoursRTDenaliNPTransitShuttletoEielsonVisitorCenter(mile66).Thesebuses

stopforwildlifeviewing,restroomstopsandbeautifulscenery,justliketourbuses.• 7.5hoursKanaiFjordsNationalParkCruiseincludingonboardNationalParkranger,

Alaskasalmonandprimeribbuffetanddessertbar.• 2bearspraysforthegroup• AMCAdventureTravelfees• AMCemergencymedicalandevacuationinsurance• 2certifiedandexperiencedAMC-AdventureTravelLeaders,CPRandWildernessFirst

Aidcertified

Notincludedintripprice:

• Airfare($~600-$900fromtheEastCoast)• Alcohol/snacksorotherfoodsnotnotedinthisprospectus• OptionalexcursionsandmuseumsinAnchorage,DenaliNP,Talkeetna,andSeward.• Souvenirsandpersonalitems• Tips(housekeeping,tours,foodotherthanincludeddinners)• Personalbearspray(~$50)(optional)• Travelinsurance(recommended)

DEPOSIT&CANCELLATIONDeposit:Aregistrationdepositof$1500isduewithyourapplication.Thebalanceof$1700willbeduebyMarch1,2018.Yourapplicationdoesnotautomaticallyresultinacceptanceonthetrip.Oneoftheleaderswillspeakwithyoubyphonetomakesurethereisamutualfitbetweenthistripandyou.Donotmakeanynon-refundabletravelarrangementsuntilyouhavebeenofficiallyaccepted,andthetripisdeemeda“go.”

Cancellation:Ourcancellationpolicyisbasedonthepreceptthatyourcancellationshallnotraisethecosttoanyotherparticipantsorleaders.Therefore,ifyoucancel,wewillrefundanymoneyyouhavepaid,lessanyexpensesalreadyincurred,orfutureexpensesthatwillbeincurred,thathavebeentheresultofyourregistrationandthatcannotbeavoided.Refundedmoneywillalsobelessa$100cancellationfee.However,ifyoucancelandthetripstillrealizesfullparticipation,thenanyandallfeesyouhavepaidwillberefundedtoyou,infull,minusthecancellationfee.Ifyoucancelaftertheairlineticketshavebeenpurchased,youstillowntheticketandwillbesubjecttotheircancellationpolicy.

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Weather:You'llfindAlaska'ssummertemperaturessurprisinglypleasant.Summerdaytimetemperaturesrangefrom55°-70°F,butyou'llfeelwarmerduetolonghoursofdirectsunlight.Nighttimelowsarerefreshinglycool,dippingintothe40's-50's.However,temperaturesvarywildlydependingonwhichregionofAlaskayouplantovisit.Acoupleofourhikesventureuptothefrontofbeautifulglaciersoricefieldsowindchilltemperaturescanbeinthe20’s.Bepreparedwitheverythingfrom

shortstodownjacketsplusrainjacket,anddressinlayers.Alightdownjacketisrecommendedforourhikesandforthemarinecruiseincaseofsuddencooling.Alsoknowthattheweathergetsrainierassummerprogressessobringyourrainjacketsandrainpantsasitcansuddenlystorm.Thesunsetsaroundmidnightandrisesaround4:30a.m.allowingabout19hoursofsunlighttoadventurein.

Hiking:Allhikeswillbedeterminedoncewearriveandspeaktotherangersregardingthesnowsituationandwildlifeencounters:Wehavemanygoodhikesweareconsideringandwillbeweatherpermitting.Wewillbehikingmostdaysatamoderatepace5-8miles,withonecruisedayinsteadofhiking.

ChugachStatePark:ChugachStateParkislocatedinSouthcentralAlaskamostlywithintheMunicipalityofAnchorage.Theparkcontainsapproximately495,000acresoflandandisoneofthefourlargeststateparksintheUnitedStates.SouthcentralAlaskaisanareaofdiverselandformsandruggedtopography,boundedonthenorthandwestbytheAlaskaRange,andontheeastbytheChugachandWrangellMountainsandPrinceWilliamSound.Theregioncontainsextensiveoceanshoreline,abundantlakes,massiveglaciersandicefields.Thepark’swesternmostboundaryliesinthewesternfoothillsoftheChugachMountainRangeandisameresevenmilestotheeastofdowntownAnchorage.TheKenaiPeninsula:comprisessome9,000squaremilesjuttingoffofsouthernAlaska.It’sdefinedbyitsglaciers,snow-cappedKenaiMountainsandwildcoastline.ItstownsincludeHomer,amajorfishingdestination,andSeward,gatewaytoKenaiFjordsNationalParkanditsvastHardingIcefield.WaterfowlcongregateatthemassiveCopperRiverDeltaconservationarea,alsothehabitatforPacificsalmon.Aparkpassorentrancefeeisnotneededinthispark.

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DenaliNationalPark:Establishedin1917withthemissionofconservingwildlife,DenaliNationalParkencompasses6millionacresofAlaska’swilderness,andisoftenseenasthe

crownjeweloftheNationalParkSystem.Flauntingcompleteunalteredecosystems,countlessrivers,glaciersandexpansesoftundra,andthetallestpeakinNorthAmerica,Denaliisnottobemissed.FromDenali’sfamedwolvestotheabundantcaribouandmoosepopulations,theParkholdswithinitsboundariesoneofthemostincrediblydiverse,stable,andmoststudiedwildlifepopulationsinAlaska.

ACTIVITIESSAMPLER

ThereissomuchtodoinAlaska.Hereisasamplingofthingswewillhaveopportunitiestodoandhavemadetimeforyoutoexploreonyourownasoptions.

Anchorage:http://www.alaska.org/destination/anchorage/attractions

DenaliNP:http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Talkeetna:http://www.alaska.org/destination/talkeetna/attractions

Seward/Kenai:http://www.alaska.org/destination/seward/attractions

LOGISTICS&CONSIDERATIONSGroupSize:Wehavebudgetedthistripfor12peopleplus2AMC-ATleaders.Awaitinglistwillbeestablishedifmorethan12qualifiedpeopleapplyfortheexcursion.

Expectations/ExperienceLevelforParticipants:Inordertoparticipateinthisexcursion,youmustconsiderandagreetothefollowing:

Risks:TravelinginAlaskahasrisksyoushouldbeawareofincludingandnotlimitedto:Wildlifeencounters,earthquakes,tsunamis,variedandchallengingweather,crossingriversandstreams,wildfires,backcountrytopography,avalanche,hypothermia,etc.Ifyouhavefearsofwildlifeorheightsorvastwilderness,thismaynotbethetripforyou.Wewillprovidebearspraytrainingandexpectthatyouviewthevideostheparkserviceprovidesonwildlifeencounters.Wewillcarry(2)bearspraysforthegroup.

Video on Wildlife Safety. Required Viewing!

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TypeandPaceofthetrip:ThetripisanAlaskasamplerandwewillbeconstantlyonthemoveeitherdriving,hiking,ortouring.The8hoursroundtripDenaliNPEielsonbustour(included),2hoursMt.DenaliFlight-SeeingandGlacierLanding(optional),and7.5hoursKenaiFjordWildlifeGlacierExpressCruise(included)willbealotoffun.Thehikes,whenweatherpermits,suchasMtHealyOverlookTrailandEielsonAlpineHikeinDenaliNP,LittleCoalCreekTrailinDenaliStatePark,HardingIcefieldTrailtotheTopofCliffsinKenaiFjordNP,andCrowPasstotheRavenGlacierfrontinChugachNF&NPwillbealittleontherushedsidebecausewehavetime-constraintstodrivetoournextdestinations.

Ability:Youmustbeabletohikeanaverageof5-8milesperdayatamoderatepaceeasily,withmoderateelevationgains(upto2500feet),whilecarryingadaypackwithequipmenttokeepyousafeintheeventofbadweatherorinjury.Youshouldbeinphysicalconditionappropriatetothedescribedactivitiesatthetimewedepart.Thistripisnotforpeoplewhohavenothikedmountainsforseveralyears.Wewilldiscussanyconcernsaboutyourabilitiesoverthephonewhenyouapply.Pleasedonottakeoffensetoourquestionsandbeaccuratewithyourabilitiesforthesafetyofall.Wewouldexpectparticipantstobeflexible,patient,andtohikewiththegroupatalltimesatthepaceoftheslowesthiker.GroupDynamics:First,youmustenjoybeingpartofagroup.Youmustworktowardsthegrouphavingagoodtimeandremainingsafe,bepreparedtohelpyourfellowhikersandspendtimewithotherparticipantsonthetripandbeinclusiveandflexible.Youwillbeexpectedtoparticipateinmostofourgroupactivities.Indoingso,youwillenjoythetriptothemaximum.Wewillbemorethanjustagroup,wewillbeateam!

GroupSafety:Groupsafetywillbeournumberonepriority.Youmustagreetoabidebytheleaders’decisions.Wewillneverfeedorapproachanywildlifeforanyreason.WewillfollowtheParks’recommendationswithregardstowildlife.Wewillhiketogetherinagroupatalltimes.Noparticipantshouldbehikingaloneatanytime,anywhere.Wearenotresponsibleforyoursafety:youare.

Itmayhappenonanytripthatatripmemberisorbecomesunabletoparticipateinoneormoreoftheplannedactivities.AMCTripLeadersintheirsolejudgment,havetherightandobligationtorefuseparticipationinanyactivitytoanygroupmemberforreasonsofsafety,whetheritisofthegrouporoftheindividual.Leadersmaytrytofindasubstituteactivityforthetripmember,butthismaynotalwaysbepossible.

Driving:Wewillbeaskingparticipantstovolunteerinthedriving.Wewillneedatleast3additionalvolunteerdrivers,andseveralbackupdrivers.Pleaseinformtheleadersifyouwouldbewillingtodothis.Abackgroundcheckwillberequiredinadvance.TransportationinAlaskaisveryexpensive.Wewillrent4SUV’stoallowbetterseatingandviews.Tohelpwithpassengercomfortweaskthateachpersonlimittheirluggagetoonesoft-sidedcarry-onbagplusdaypack.Wewillhaveacoupledayswherewewillbeinthevehiclesforapproximately5hoursbrokenupwithreststopsandviews.Wewillstopasneededforcomfort.

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NationalParkRules:WewillobeytherulesandregulationsoftheNationalParksthatwewillbehikingin.

AMCAdventureTraveltripsareruninamannersupportiveofandconsistentwiththetraditions,principlesandmissionoftheClub.TripleadersencourageparticipantconductconsistentwithLeaveNoTraceenvironmentalandconservationprinciples,andrespectfuloflocalcustoms.Localregulationsmustbefollowed.

Leader, Cliff Chambers Cliff leadsthreeseasonhikesforthe Hiking /

BackpackingCommittee ofthe AMCBostonChapter.Cliff has co-led

severalhiking/trekking-

oriented Adventure Travel trips to suchdestinations as the Grand Tetons, GlacierNationalPark,NewZealand,andPatagoniaandhas traveled toNorway, Poland, andTasmaniainAustralia.CliffhasAdvancedWildernessFirstAidandCPRcertification.

Leader, Joan Chambers Joan leads fourseason hikes forthe Hiking /

BackpackingCommittee of theAMC BostonChapter. This willbe her 12th tripleading for AMCAdventure Travel,

with prior trips to many national parks inAlaska,Wyoming,Montana, andabroad in theAlpsinFrance,SwitzerlandandItaly,Patagoniain Argentina and Chile,Machu Picchu in Peru,and many Great Walks in New Zealand andAustralia.JoanisAdvancedWildernessFirstAidandCPRCertified.

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WHAT’SNEXT

Afterreadingthisprospectuscarefullyifyouarestillinterestedtoapplyforthistrip,pleasefilloutthisGoogleForm(https://goo.gl/forms/tsLwyVEbrs6TQQif2)andsubmititonline.

Thenclickonthefourlinksbelowtodownload,print,fillout,signanddatetheapplicationdocuments.Ifyouchoosetocompletetheoptionalmedicalform,pleasesealitinanenvelopewithyournameontheoutside.

1. AMCWildAlaskaSamplerTrip#1844ApplicationForm:https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-Z_mqNcUVO28PjhmUAtGNQgA6Op8v8sE

2. AMCAssumptionofRiskParticipantReleaseForm:http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/handbook/appendix/App-M.pdf

3. AMCMedicalForm:http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/handbook/appendix/App-L.pdf

4. AMCSupplementalMedicalForm (Optional):http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/handbook/appendix/App-L1.pdf

Mailtheabovefour(4)ink-signedformsalongwithadepositcheckfor$1,500payabletotheAppalachianMountainClubandmailto:CliffChambers,POBox2532,Woburn,MA01888

Yourcheckwillnotbedepositedunlessweofferyouaplace.Ifyouareacceptedfromawaitinglist,wewillnotdeposityourcheckunlessyouconfirmthatyouarestillinterested.

Weexpectthistriptofillquicklysothesooneryoucangeteverythinginthebetterandthesoonerwecanstartthescreeningprocess.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns,pleasecontactusatwu.chambers@gmail.com.Ifyouprefertodiscussonthephone,letusknowyourphonenumberinyouremailandwewillcallyouatatimeconvenienttoyou.

Pleasereadandunderstandthecancellationpolicyinthetripprospectusbeforesendinganymoney.