Valdez Glacier was extensively used during
the Gold Rush days of the late 1800's, as an All-American route
to the gold fields of interior Alaska. Many facinating stories
have been told about the people who weathered the hardships of
early glacial travel while searching for their fortune in the
untamed wilderness of Alaska, located in the Chugach Mountains
near Valdez.
Today the glacier lies almost forgotten except
for a few brave souls who use this glacier in the winter time
for snowmobiling and another select few who use the calm glacial
lake to start their white water adventure down the glacier stream
in the summer.
After many exploratory trips in 2007 we made
the decision to offer a Valdez Glacier Kayaking and Hiking day
trip.This trip starts in Valdez at Anadyr Adventure's
office. After a short kayaking lesson and safety talk our guides
will transport you by van to the glacial lake where we will kayak
safely in inflatable double kayaks between large icebergs, into
ice caves (when safe), then to the face of the glacier where
we start our hike on the glacier enjoying expansive views, crossing
crevasses safely, and passing glacial streams which have cut
deep ravines in the ice and forming shimmering sky blue pools
on the glacier.
Our experienced and knowledgeable guides
will conduct interpretive glaciology discussions as well as share
some tales of the early miners and fortune seekers who traversed the glacier
during the Valdez Gold Rush of 1889.
No experience is necessary. We provide expert
guides and all the gear necessary to safely explore the glacier.
Dress in layers, bring comfortable hiking shoes, rain gear, lunch,
water, and a camera.
- Guest to guide ratio is small (6
to 1)
- Minimum number of participants 2
- Departure dates are daily May 15
to Sep 15
- Total tour time 5 to 6 hours
- $110/person
For more pictures of this trip see "Hike-Kayak"
in our photo
gallery. |
