Backcountry Trips « Backpacking Point-to-Point

Shoulders of Giants Hiking Trips

Trip Description:

Extraordinary ridge hiking, sublime alpine campsites and an amazing pocket glacier traverse makes this a world class backpacking route by any measure. The adventure starts with a bush plane drop-off high in the remote Canyon Creek. An initial uphill hike brings you to dreamy alpine with ample camping, views of the 13,000 ft Twaharpies Range and options for day hikes or peak bagging. Traverse across a pocket glacier, staring at thousands of feet of snowy spines that make up the north face of Pyramid Peak. Descend a “secret passageway” through the cliffs and into an enchanted alpine camp we call Shangri-la. An improbable ascent to the base of Pyramid Peak accesses 360 degree views and glorious ridge hiking to Rex Pass. Many creek crossings and some light bushwacking brings you past the abandoned ghost town of Chitiu to a bush plane pick-up at May Creek.

Duration: 5-7 days
Difficulty: Advanced to Expert

Trip Options:
Looking for a longer route? Add two day to three days of backpacking, filled with epic camping, a semi-technical descent and time on the Twaharpies Glacier, by adding a section from upper Canyon Creek to Glacier Creek.

Highlights:

Super Cub flight with up close views of Pyramid Peak
Variety of challenges: alpine glaciers, snowy ridges, and semi-technical descents
Views of several of the largest peaks in North America
World class ridge hiking with panoramic vistas
Camping surrounded by alpine flowers and sparkling creeks
Remote and committing, this gem is off the beaten path

Trip Details

Terrain Challenges: Rocky/unstable ground, considerable elevation gain and loss, steep vegetated hillsides, side-hilling, glacier travel, creek crossing, bushwacking, sections of exposure.

Who: Experienced backpackers. This trip has the potential to be challenging for any level. We will discuss your experience to see if it’s the right trip for you. You will need to be able to carry a pack that ranges from 35 – 50 lbs for 8+ hours a day.

When: June-September

Where: We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.

Trip Includes

Pre-trip planning.
Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
Small ratios: 1 guide for groups up to 5 people. 2 guides for groups of 6+ (additional porters may be requested for any group size at an additional cost)
Customizable itinerary.
Airfare into the backcountry.
Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
Healthy, nutritious food customized to your tastes.
Cooking gear and fuel.
Backpacking pack (if needed)
Sleeping bag/pad combo (if needed)
Technical gear and equipment.
Personal tent(s) and group cook tent.
Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does Not Include

Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
Day packs (for basecamping day hikes)
Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) see our Packing List and our Trip Planning pages.
Alcohol in the backcountry.
Pre & Post trip lodging.
Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »

Start Planning Your Trip Now

Trip Prices

Shoulders of Giants (Backcountry Airfare From McCarthy Included)

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,395 per person
2:1 / $3,910 per person
3:1 / $3,240 per person
4:1 / $2,935 per person
5:1 / $2,700 per person
6+:2 / $2,765 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $7,365 per person
2:1 / $4,460 per person
3:1 / $3,700 per person
4:1 / $3,335 per person
5:1 / $3,065 per person
6+:2 / $3,130 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $8,335 per person
2:1 / $5,010 per person
3:1 / $4,160 per person
4:1 / $3,735 per person
5:1 / $3,430 per person
6+:2 / $3,495 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 8 Day Trip
1:1 / $9,305 per person
2:1 / $5,560 per person
3:1 / $4,620 per person
4:1 / $4,135 per person
5:1 / $3,795 per person
6+:2 / $3,860 per person

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Start Planning Your Trip Now

Trip Prices

Shoulders of Giants (Backcountry Airfare From McCarthy Included)

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,395 per person
2:1 / $3,910 per person
3:1 / $3,240 per person
4:1 / $2,935 per person
5:1 / $2,700 per person
6+:2 / $2,765 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $7,365 per person
2:1 / $4,460 per person
3:1 / $3,700 per person
4:1 / $3,335 per person
5:1 / $3,065 per person
6+:2 / $3,130 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $8,335 per person
2:1 / $5,010 per person
3:1 / $4,160 per person
4:1 / $3,735 per person
5:1 / $3,430 per person
6+:2 / $3,495 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 8 Day Trip
1:1 / $9,305 per person
2:1 / $5,560 per person
3:1 / $4,620 per person
4:1 / $4,135 per person
5:1 / $3,795 per person
6+:2 / $3,860 per person

Trip Description:

Extraordinary ridge hiking, sublime alpine campsites and an amazing pocket glacier traverse makes this a world class backpacking route by any measure. The adventure starts with a bush plane drop-off high in the remote Canyon Creek. An initial uphill hike brings you to dreamy alpine with ample camping, views of the 13,000 ft Twaharpies Range and options for day hikes or peak bagging. Traverse across a pocket glacier, staring at thousands of feet of snowy spines that make up the north face of Pyramid Peak. Descend a “secret passageway” through the cliffs and into an enchanted alpine camp we call Shangri-la. An improbable ascent to the base of Pyramid Peak accesses 360 degree views and glorious ridge hiking to Rex Pass. Many creek crossings and some light bushwacking brings you past the abandoned ghost town of Chitiu to a bush plane pick-up at May Creek.

Duration: 5-7 days
Difficulty: Advanced to Expert

Trip Options:
Looking for a longer route? Add two day to three days of backpacking, filled with epic camping, a semi-technical descent and time on the Twaharpies Glacier, by adding a section from upper Canyon Creek to Glacier Creek.

Highlights:

Super Cub flight with up close views of Pyramid Peak
Variety of challenges: alpine glaciers, snowy ridges, and semi-technical descents
Views of several of the largest peaks in North America
World class ridge hiking with panoramic vistas
Camping surrounded by alpine flowers and sparkling creeks
Remote and committing, this gem is off the beaten path

Trip Details

Terrain Challenges: Rocky/unstable ground, considerable elevation gain and loss, steep vegetated hillsides, side-hilling, glacier travel, creek crossing, bushwacking, sections of exposure.

Who: Experienced backpackers. This trip has the potential to be challenging for any level. We will discuss your experience to see if it’s the right trip for you. You will need to be able to carry a pack that ranges from 35 – 50 lbs for 8+ hours a day.

When: June-September

Where: We will meet you at your lodging or at the footbridge ½ hour before your flight time and provide transportation to the airstrip.

Trip Includes

Pre-trip planning.
Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable guides!
Small ratios: 1 guide for groups up to 5 people. 2 guides for groups of 6+ (additional porters may be requested for any group size at an additional cost)
Customizable itinerary.
Airfare into the backcountry.
Medical equipment, training and protocols to Wilderness First Responder Standards.
SAT phone & Delorme InReach.
Healthy, nutritious food customized to your tastes.
Cooking gear and fuel.
Backpacking pack (if needed)
Sleeping bag/pad combo (if needed)
Technical gear and equipment.
Personal tent(s) and group cook tent.
Leave No Trace and Bear Safety education/ ethics.

Trip Does Not Include

Guide Gratuity (recommended 10-20% of tour cost)
Day packs (for basecamping day hikes)
Personal clothing & gear. For further suggestions on gear you will want to bring from home (this might help you pack for your whole Alaskan vacation!) see our packing list.
Alcohol in the backcountry.
Pre & Post trip lodging.
Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »