Redoubt last erupted in 1989 blanketing south central Alaska in a layer of ash and significantly altering its north face. As of December 2009, Redoubt remains in a state of unrest and there is a moderate threat of an eruption.  Iliamna however hasn’t seen a volcanic eruption in over 100 years, and though conditions change daily, seismologists and geophysicists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory have said that for now Iliamna won't be blowing its any time soon and is this provides the perfect adventure for someone wanting to climb a big glaciated Alaska peak without severe altitude or crowds.

We’ll fly from Kenai with pilot Doug Brewer and land at 3000-feet on the Tuxedni Glacier on the north side of the Mountain.  Over the next several days we’ll review climbing and rescue skills and explore the area. When weather allows, we’ll ascend almost 6,000 feet from our base camp to the summit. The climbing difficulties will involve sustained 35-degree slopes and possibly some short sections of steep ice through crevasses. Our itinerary allows extra time for weather delays for flying onto the mountain, for summiting, and for flying out.

This trip originates in Anchorage, Alaska. Getting to Anchorage is a snap. Alaska Airlines, your travel agent, or the carrier of your choice can easily arrange roundtrip airfare from the lower 48.  Once you land in Anchorage, your adventure really begins. For this trip into Lake Clark National Park,  you'll find that the areas we visit won't be found on any road map; out here there aren't any roads!

Bush Flights: Access to Lake Clark National Park and the Neacola Mountains is limited to air travel in a small airplane flown by an experienced bush pilot. This adventure includes ski-plane flights between Kenai, Alaska and the Lake Clark wilderness.  Have your camera at the ready, your trip begins here.  For most, this will be your first experience in a small aircraft – a memorable one to be sure.  The 60 minute flight from Kenai to the Lake Clark Wilderness takes you over some of the most remote and beautiful country in Alaska, with towering peaks and tumbling glaciers right off the wing tips.  Our pilot has spent years flying in this area and you’ll immediately understand why we choose to fly with him.

Accommodations: Lodging on night one in Anchorage is included in your package.  You’ll be staying at a B&B in Anchorage.  We use a couple of the best Bed & Breakfast properties in Anchorage and they are comfortable and conveniently located downtown.  Prices are double occupancy. If you prefer your own room on night one you will be asked to pay a single supplement of $75.00.  The remaining nights will be spent camping in the wilderness!

The Experience: After checking into the B&B in Anchorage, you’ll meet our guides by early evening before an orientation dinner one of our favorite restaurants in Anchorage.  Upon returning to our B&B, we’ll pour over maps and discuss the route.

Up early on day 2, we’ll have breakfast at the B&B.  we’ll get an early start and begin the 3-hour drive to Kenai. Our route will take us down the scenic Seward Highway, and through the Chugach and Kenai mountain ranges. We’ll arrive in Kenai by 10am, and weather permitting will board our airplane and begin shuttling ourselves and our gear into the Neacola Mountains.  Our first day will allow us to collect our senses, gaze at the surrounding beauty, and get a feel for the terrain we will be covering.  You will quickly become acquainted with our style of wilderness travel and camp etiquette.  Meals are planned to be sumptuous, filling culinary adventures of their own.  Because weight and packaging is critical, careful consideration is taken in planning and packing the ingredients.  You can be assured every meal will be something you may never have experienced in the wilderness. We use organic and real food products when possible and the very best freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients available.

What’s Included:
All group camping & climbing gear (tents, stoves, fuel, ropes, etc.), satellite phone and safety equipment.
Van transportation from Anchorage to our air taxi in Kenai.
All internal airfare and glacier flights necessary for the trip.
One night of lodging in Anchorage.
Professional guide service at a maximum 4:1 client to guide ratio.
All meals from lunch on day one through breakfast on the final day of the itinerary.
Storage for your extra travel items while in the field.

What’s Not:
Lodging in Anchorage prior to and after your adventure.
Personal gear (sleeping bags, packs, rain gear, etc.) - See Equipment Lists.
Trip cancellation insurance.
Alcoholic beverages.
Guide gratuities.

What kind of food might we expect?
Our food is excellent – in fact it is something that clearly differentiates us from our competitors. We have spent the past decade fine tuning our backcountry menu. Breakfasts include pancakes, scrambles,     various homemade granolas and cereals, French pressed coffee, assorted teas and hot drinks. For lunch we enjoy foccacia sandwiches, bagels and Alaska lox, hummus and toasted pita chips, and assorted     wraps. We also have homemade snack mixes both salty and sweet and energy and candy bars available throughout the day. Dinners could include lasagna, pad thai, beef mole’ tacos, penne pasta with a     roasted red pepper pesto, wild mushroom risotto, etc. And we ALWAYS enjoy one of Derek’s home baked desserts after dinner.
When would you require a deposit? and how much? Trip cancellation insurance? Can we get it through you?
We require a deposit of $1000 per person to officially reserve a trip. Really the deposit is due as soon as you’d like to book. That way, we have the trip inked in on the schedule and can begin the effort to coax others into joining the adventure. When you decide to book, we then generate an invoice that we send by email. You’ll then have the option to pay the deposit by mailing us a check, calling us with a credit card number or by using a Visa, Master Card, or American Experss on our secure online payment system. As for trip cancellation insurance, Alaska Alpine Adventures is licensed to sell Travel Guard - an industry leading insurance product designed specifically for adventure travelers. Please contact us for details, or click here to obtain a quote.

Lake Clark National Park and the Chigmit Mountains:

Why are so many of your trips in Lake Clark National Park?
Simply because we believe Lake Clark National Park to be the most spectacular and diverse park in Alaska. At over 4-million acres, this wilderness park has something for everyone - miles of coastline,     active volcanoes, spectacular lakes, glaciers and icefields, wild and scenic rivers, stunning mountains, and very few visitors. If you seek solitude and the perfect Alaskan landscape, Lake Clark will not dissapoint.

Where is Lake Clark?
Lake Clark and its surrounding 4 million-acre national park is located approximately 150 miles West-Southwest of Anchorage.

How do you get to Lake Clark and the Chigmit Mountains?
Access to Lake Clark National Park is soley by small aircraft or, in some instances, by boat.  For glacier landings, we'll use small aircraft equipped with wheel skis.

Is transportation to Lake Clark included in the price of the trip?
Absolutely, our trips are all inclusive from Anchorage. All you need to do is get yourself to our B&B in Anchorage on Day 1 of your itinerary.

Where will you meet us?
Your Alaska Alpine Adventures guide will meet you at 6 PM at the B&B on the evening of night 1 for an orientation dinner and gear check. 

Who will I be flying with and what time will we be departing on day one?
Your guides will meet you at the B&B at 8AM.  You'll drive with your guides in a comfortable 15 passenger van to Kenai, Alaska, a drive that takes around 3 hours.  From there, we'll be flying with Alaska     West Air Taxi into the Neacola Mountains.  Doug Brewer, the owner and operator of Alaska West, has been flying into the range longer than anyone, and you'll immediately realize why we chose to fly with him.  He's simply the best in the business.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Today you are free to arrive in Anchorage on your own. We’ll be staying at the Susitna Place Bed & Breakfast, which is located close to the airport and adjacent to downtown Anchorage.  After checking into the B&B, you’ll meet our guides by early afternoon in the lobby. Tonight we’ll do an orientation dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants, and upon returning to our B&B, we’ll pour over maps and discuss the trip and the route.  Dinner included.

Day 2: Today we’ll get an early start and begin the three hour drive to Kenai.  Our route will take us down the scenic Seward Highway and through the Chugach and Kenai mountain ranges.  We’ll arrive in Kenai by 10am, and, weather permitting, will board our airplane and begin shuttling ourselves and our gear into the mountains.  Our pilot has spent years flying in this area and you’ll immediately understand why we choose to fly with him.  The flight will take about an hour and will take you over some of the most remote and beautiful country in Alaska.  After our flight, we’ll pack gear and rope-up to begin ascending to camp one. Of course, before we move, you’ll learn how to tie-in, how to travel on a roped team, and how to assess the aspects of traveling on the ice.  All meals included.

Day 3: From camp one, we’ll make a carry of equipment and food to our high camp situated at the 8000’ to 9000’ level.  This day will allow us the chance to again travel as a roped team and to scope the summit route.  Both Redoubt and Iliamna volcanoes offer challenging summit days on moderately steep snow and ice.  All meals included.

Day 4: Today we’ll move to high camp.  All meals included.

Days 5-8: These will be summit attempt days.  All meals included.

Day 9: We’ll schedule a mid-morning ski plane back to civilization and will make the drive back to Anchorage from Kenai.  If you are leaving Alaska on this day, please schedule all homebound flights from Anchorage for after 10pm.  Breakfast & Lunch included.