Backcountry Multi-Day Trips « Backpacking Point-to-Point
Shoulders of Giants
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.
Trip Prices
Shoulders of Giants (Backcountry Airfare From McCarthy Included)
Client:Guide Ratio & Price
Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,515 per person
2:1 / $3,365 per person
3:1 / $2,795 per person
4:1 / $2,540 per person
5:1 / $2,330 per person
6+:2 / $2,395 per person
Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,355 per person
2:1 / $3,840 per person
3:1 / $3,190 per person
4:1 / $2,885 per person
5:1 / $2,645 per person
6+:2 / $2,710 per person
Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $7,195 per person
2:1 / $4,315 per person
3:1 / $3,585 per person
4:1 / $3,230 per person
5:1 / $2,960 per person
6+:2 / $3,025 per person
Pricing per Number of Clients – 8 Day Trip
1:1 / $8,035 per person
2:1 / $4,790 per person
3:1 / $3,980 per person
4:1 / $3,575 per person
5:1 / $3,275 per person
6+:2 / $3,340 per person
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge
Trip Prices
Shoulders of Giants (Backcountry Airfare From McCarthy Included)
Client:Guide Ratio & Price
Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,515 per person
2:1 / $3,365 per person
3:1 / $2,795 per person
4:1 / $2,540 per person
5:1 / $2,330 per person
6+:2 / $2,395 per person
Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,355 per person
2:1 / $3,840 per person
3:1 / $3,190 per person
4:1 / $2,885 per person
5:1 / $2,645 per person
6+:2 / $2,710 per person
Pricing per Number of Clients – 7 Day Trip
1:1 / $7,195 per person
2:1 / $4,315 per person
3:1 / $3,585 per person
4:1 / $3,230 per person
5:1 / $2,960 per person
6+:2 / $3,025 per person
Pricing per Number of Clients – 8 Day Trip
1:1 / $8,035 per person
2:1 / $4,790 per person
3:1 / $3,980 per person
4:1 / $3,575 per person
5:1 / $3,275 per person
6+:2 / $3,340 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.
Shoulders of Giants
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.
