Backcountry Trips « Basecamping

The Fosse Backpacking and Basecamping Trips

Trip Descriptions

Basecamping:

A short and immediately impressive flight across the Kennicott Glacier delivers you to a magical strip of land between glacier and mountain. Just landing at the Fosse feels like you’re on a big adventure. The 16,000 foot Mt. Blackburn forms an amphitheater which looms large above pockets of alpine, rocky moraines, and fields of wildflowers. Day hike onto the Kennicott Glacier, scramble to big views of Mt. Blackburn, or follow goat trails to overlook Hidden Creek Lake.

  • Duration: 3-4 days
  • Difficulty: Easy-Medium The Fosse

Backpacking Loop:

Backpack across the Kennicott Glacier and camp at the base of Packsaddle Island, getting up close and personal with the 16,000 foot Mt. Blackburn. Hike down to Hidden Creek Lake, sleep next to the icebergs and hike up into the Hidden Creek Valley. Choose a direction on a shorter trip or with enough time, do it all. Move camp every day, or mix in day hikes and rest days along the way.

  • Duration: 3-6 days
  • Difficulty: Easy-Hard The Fosse

Highlights:

  • Affordable airfare, amazing flight
  • Big views of 16,000 foot Mt. Blackburn
  • Varied hiking
  • Wildflower-filled alpine hikes
  • Iceberg filled glacial lake
  • Unique perspective on a big Alaskan valley glacier
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include: 
Rocky/unstable ground, Elevation Gain and loss in short distances, steep vegetated hillsides, side-hilling.

Who:
Novice campers to experienced backpackers

Available Season:
Late 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 Trip Planning and Packing Lists 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
View Trip Prices

The Fosse (Backcountry Airfare From McCarthy Included)

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

Pricing per Number of Clients – 3 Day Trip
1:1 / $3,695 per person
2:1 / $2,240 per person
3:1 / $1,905 per person
4:1 / $1,790 per person
5:1 / $1,570 per person
6+:2 / $1,620 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 4 Day Trip
1:1 / $4,665 per person
2:1 / $2,790 per person
3:1 / $2,365 per person
4:1 / $2,190 per person
5:1 / $1,935 per person
6+:2 / $1,985 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,635 per person
2:1 / $3,340 per person
3:1 / $2,825 per person
4:1 / $2,590 per person
5:1 / $2,300 per person
6+:2 / $2,350 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,605 per person
2:1 / $3,890 per person
3:1 / $3,285 per person
4:1 / $2,990 per person
5:1 / $2,665 per person
6+:2 / $2,715 per person

Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge

The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse to Kennicott Header people sitting in front of glacier
classic hike back
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse to Kennicott Header people sitting in front of glacier
classic hike back
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
Start Planning Your Trip Now
Trip Prices

The Fosse (Backcountry Airfare From McCarthy Included)

Client:Guide Ratio & Price

Pricing per Number of Clients – 3 Day Trip
1:1 / $3,695 per person
2:1 / $2,240 per person
3:1 / $1,905 per person
4:1 / $1,790 per person
5:1 / $1,570 per person
6+:2 / $1,620 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 4 Day Trip
1:1 / $4,665 per person
2:1 / $2,790 per person
3:1 / $2,365 per person
4:1 / $2,190 per person
5:1 / $1,935 per person
6+:2 / $1,985 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 5 Day Trip
1:1 / $5,635 per person
2:1 / $3,340 per person
3:1 / $2,825 per person
4:1 / $2,590 per person
5:1 / $2,300 per person
6+:2 / $2,350 per person

Pricing per Number of Clients – 6 Day Trip
1:1 / $6,605 per person
2:1 / $3,890 per person
3:1 / $3,285 per person
4:1 / $2,990 per person
5:1 / $2,665 per person
6+:2 / $2,715 per person

Trip Descriptions

Basecamping:

A short and immediately impressive flight across the Kennicott Glacier delivers you to a magical strip of land between glacier and mountain. Just landing at the Fosse feels like you’re on a big adventure. The 16,000 foot Mt. Blackburn forms an amphitheater which looms large above pockets of alpine, rocky moraines, and fields of wildflowers. Day hike onto the Kennicott Glacier, scramble to big views of Mt. Blackburn, or follow goat trails to overlook Hidden Creek Lake.

  • Duration: 3-4 days
  • Difficulty: Easy-Medium The Fosse

Backpacking Loop:

Backpack across the Kennicott Glacier and camp at the base of Packsaddle Island, getting up close and personal with the 16,000 foot Mt. Blackburn. Hike down to Hidden Creek Lake, sleep next to the icebergs and hike up into the Hidden Creek Valley. Choose a direction on a shorter trip or with enough time, do it all. Move camp every day, or mix in day hikes and rest days along the way.

  • Duration: 3-6 days
  • Difficulty: Easy-Hard The Fosse

Highlights:

  • Affordable airfare, amazing flight
  • Big views of 16,000 foot Mt. Blackburn
  • Varied hiking
  • Wildflower-filled alpine hikes
  • Iceberg filled glacial lake
  • Unique perspective on a big Alaskan valley glacier
Trip Details

Terrain Challenges May Include: 
Rocky/unstable ground, Elevation Gain and loss in short distances, steep vegetated hillsides, side-hilling.

Who:
Novice campers to experienced backpackers

Available Season:
Late 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 Lists.
  • Alcohol in the backcountry.
  • Pre & Post trip lodging.
  • Transportation to and from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Deposit and Cancellation Policy »

The Fosse
Photo Gallery

Click to enlarge, or use arrows to scroll.

The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse to Kennicott Header people sitting in front of glacier
classic hike back
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
The Fosse
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