Backcountry Trips « Basecamping

Skolai Backpacking and Basecamping Trips

Trip Descriptions

Basecamping:
A world famous location for good reason. Skolai is an astounding area of alpine deep the heart of the Wrangells. The flight is a full value flightsee and as you step out of the plane the beauty of the place is immediately powerful. Icefalls tumble though the mountains with green rolling hills and clear water streams below. Camp near crystal clear creeks, hike among a natural bouquet of wildflowers and marvel as cloud shadows paint the land in light. The high alpine is home to caribou, bears and foxes and wildlife sightings are frequent. Great camping and a variety of day hike options on good hiking surfaces makes Skoali a world class basecamping location.

  • Duration: 3-4 Days
  • Difficulty: Easy-Medium Skolai

Backpacking Loop:
Backpacking up to Chitistone Pass is an Alaskan classic. Hike up the Skoali Valley to the base of the pass where a steady climb awaits. Views of the Russell Glacier get bigger and bigger with each bench gained. Once higher in the pass, opportunities for camping, day hiking, and ridge scrambling abound. Move camp up near the Russel for a closer look at the University Mountain Range, or day hike a section of the fabled Goat Trail. Surreal sunsets and rainbows seem commonplace and wildlife encounters are frequent.

  • Duration: 4-6 days
  • Difficulty: Easy-Hard Skolai

Highlights:

  • Incredible bush plane flights
  • Camping in a true Alaksan wilderness
  • Idyllic alpine camping
  • Great day hikes to scenic locations
  • Potential wildlife sightings
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges: 
Rocky/unstable ground, elevation gain and loss in short distances, steep vegetated hillsides, side-hilling.

Who:
Novice campers to experienced backpackers

When: 
Late June-September

When:
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!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Alcohol in the backcountry.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Trip Prices

Skolai (Backcountry Airfare From McCarthy Included)

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

Pricing per Number of Clients – 3 Day Trip
1:1 / $3,870 per person
2:1 / $2,425 per person
3:1 / $2,065 per person
4:1 / $2,005 per person
5:1 / $1,730 per person
6+:2 / $1,810 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 4 Days
1:1 / $4,750 per person
2:1 / $2,925 per person
3:1 / $2,480 per person
4:1 / $2,365 per person
5:1 / $2,060 per person
6+:2 / $2,140 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Days
1:1 / $5,630 per person
2:1 / $3,425 per person
3:1 / $2,895 per person
4:1 / $2,725 per person
5:1 / $2,390 per person
6+:2 / $2,470 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Days
1:1 / $6,510 per person
2:1 / $3,925 per person
3:1 / $3,310 per person
4:1 / $3,085 per person
5:1 / $2,720 per person
6+:2 / $2,800 per person

Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge

Trip Prices

Skolai (Backcountry Airfare From McCarthy Included)

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

Pricing per Number of Clients – 3 Day Trip
1:1 / $3,870 per person
2:1 / $2,425 per person
3:1 / $2,065 per person
4:1 / $2,005 per person
5:1 / $1,730 per person
6+:2 / $1,810 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 4 Days
1:1 / $4,750 per person
2:1 / $2,925 per person
3:1 / $2,480 per person
4:1 / $2,365 per person
5:1 / $2,060 per person
6+:2 / $2,140 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Days
1:1 / $5,630 per person
2:1 / $3,425 per person
3:1 / $2,895 per person
4:1 / $2,725 per person
5:1 / $2,390 per person
6+:2 / $2,470 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Days
1:1 / $6,510 per person
2:1 / $3,925 per person
3:1 / $3,310 per person
4:1 / $3,085 per person
5:1 / $2,720 per person
6+:2 / $2,800 per person

Trip Descriptions

Basecamping:
A world famous location for good reason. Skolai is an astounding area of alpine deep the heart of the Wrangells. The flight is a full value flightsee and as you step out of the plane the beauty of the place is immediately powerful. Icefalls tumble though the mountains with green rolling hills and clear water streams below. Camp near crystal clear creeks, hike among a natural bouquet of wildflowers and marvel as cloud shadows paint the land in light. The high alpine is home to caribou, bears and foxes and wildlife sightings are frequent. Great camping and a variety of day hike options on good hiking surfaces makes Skoali a world class basecamping location.

  • Duration: 3-4 Days
  • Difficulty: Easy-Medium Skolai

Backpacking Loop:
Backpacking up to Chitistone Pass is an Alaskan classic. Hike up the Skoali Valley to the base of the pass where a steady climb awaits. Views of the Russell Glacier get bigger and bigger with each bench gained. Once higher in the pass, opportunities for camping, day hiking, and ridge scrambling abound. Move camp up near the Russel for a closer look at the University Mountain Range, or day hike a section of the fabled Goat Trail. Surreal sunsets and rainbows seem commonplace and wildlife encounters are frequent.

  • Duration: 4-6 days
  • Difficulty: Easy-Hard Skolai

Highlights:

  • Incredible bush plane flights
  • Camping in a true Alaksan wilderness
  • Idyllic alpine camping
  • Great day hikes to scenic locations
  • Potential wildlife sightings
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges: 
Rocky/unstable ground, elevation gain and loss in short distances, steep vegetated hillsides, side-hilling.

Who:
Novice campers to experienced backpackers

When: 
Late June-September

When:
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!) visit our Trip Planning Page for a gear list.
  • Alcohol in the backcountry.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Skolai
Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.

We are so grateful to the company and our guide, they really made this a dream day for me!

When planning our trip to Alaska, the one thing I wanted was to walk on a Glacier! Dear hubby contacted Kennicott Wilderness Guides and got it all set up. On 9/9/18 we were picked up by Payton, she was awesome and our guide for the day. After all paperwork signed she got us outfitted with crampons. We had a hike to the Root Glacier and along the way she was able and willing to point out lots of small and interesting details. Once we got to the glacier she made sure we had crampons on correcting and showed us how to walk in them. The the day just got better the glacier it was awesome and with her knowledge we learned so much, she had been there the whole season and hiked so much of the area, she gladly shared that info with us. Payton made sure along the way to make sure we were safe.  Absolutely if you want to walk and experience the beauty of the glacier get in touch with this company.

Deb W. from Sacramento, California

Root Glacier

Root Glacier

Duration : 2-7 days
Cost : $
Difficulty : easy-hard
The Fosse

The Fosse

Duration : 3-6 days
Cost : $$
Difficulty : easy - hard
Nizina

Nizina

Duration : 3-6 days
Cost : $$
Difficulty : easy-medium
Nikolai

Nikolai

Duration : 3-6 days
Cost : $$
Difficulty : easy - hard
Fan Glacier

Fan Glacier

Duration : 3-6 days
Cost : $$$
Difficulty : easy-hard
Skolai

Skolai

Duration : 3-6 days
Cost : $$
Difficulty : easy-medium
Wrangell Plateau

Wrangell Plateau

Duration : 3-5 days
Cost : $$$
Difficulty : easy-med
Iceberg

Iceberg

Duration : 3-6 days
Cost : $$$
Difficulty : easy - hard
Hidden Gems

Hidden Gems

Duration : 3-8 days
Cost : $$$$
Difficulty : easy-hard