ALASKA: FROM FAIRBANKS TO ANCHORAGE

Transcription

1 ALASKA: FROM FAIRBANKS TO ANCHORAGE JUNE 9-17, 2019 TRIP SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS Hiking diverse trails in Alaska's interior, to passes, overlooks, lakes, and panoramic views Visiting spectacular Denali National Park and quirky Talkeetna Seeing an amazing diversity of wildlife, including moose, bear, Dall sheep, caribou, and bald eagles Soaking in famous Chena Hot Springs Phone: Outside the US: Fax:

2 TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: Jun 9-17, 2019 Location: South Central Alaska Cost: $2, Activities: Hiking Arrive: Arrive Fairbanks, Alaska (FAI) by 3PM on June 9 Depart: Depart Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) anytime on June 17 TRIP OVERVIEW Join us in a journey from Alaska's Golden Heart city, Fairbanks, to its largest, Anchorage, along the historic Parks Highway. Along the way, we'll soak in therapeutic hot springs, hike through boreal forests and over alpine tundra, raft a white-water river, and explore unique Alaska treasures, not least of which is Denali National Park and its abundant wildlife. During our week we will discover the wide diversity of Alaska's natural beauty and meet a few of its characters along the way. If you re interested in seeing even more of Alaska, especially its coastal beauty, extend your trip to include Alaska from Anchorage to Homer, June 17 thru 26, RATING This trip is designed for women in good health and physical condition who want to see Alaska. We have designed the itinerary to minimize time in the van and all activities are moderate. The rating for this trip is a 2, but at the highest level of 2. While the activities are moderate, some of the hiking is on uneven footing and with significant changes in elevation. This rating of 2 is suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 4 days a week for 45 minutes. Rating: 1 [2] WHAT'S INCLUDED Two experienced AGC guides 8 nights double occupancy lodging All activities on the itinerary unless specified as optional at additional cost All meals from dinner the first day through breakfast the last with the exception of one lunch and dinner as specified on the itinerary All transport within Alaska National Park Entrance fees Not included: Airfare to Fairbanks or from Anchorage, alcoholic beverages, one dinner and one lunch, guide gratuities, optional activities, travel insurance, items of a personal nature.

3 OUR ITINERARY Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests. DAY 1 JUNE 9, SUNDAY Our trip begins when we meet in the Golden Heart of Alaska, Fairbanks. Plan to arrive at the Fairbanks airport in time to meet the group at 3:00 pm. We'll drive together to Chena Hot Springs in plenty of time to enjoy a rejuvenating soak before our trip orientation and dinner. Although the sun technically sets for about three hours on this day, it never really gets dark. You may find yourself soaking and exploring long past your bedtime! D DAY 2 JUNE 10, MONDAY We'll spend the day in the vicinity of Chena Hot Springs, so there will be ample opportunity to enjoy the heat before breakfast and after we hike. We'll earn our picnic lunch by hiking up to explore the rugged beauty of the granite tors on Angel Rocks Trail. Depending on the weather, this trail may give us options for a 4-mile loop hike or a longer, more strenuous 8-mile hike back to Chena Hot Springs. If you still have energy at the end of the day, there may be time to go for a horse or ATV ride at the hot springs. Hiking distance: 4 or 8 miles. B, L, D DAY 3 JUNE 11, TUESDAY After a final soak in the hot springs and a hearty breakfast, we'll continue our adventure by driving to Denali National Park. Along the way we'll travel through a variety of Alaska's ecological biomes, and cross the mighty Nenana and Tanana Rivers. Keep your eyes open: moose, bears, beavers and more are all residents of this area, so hopefully we'll get lucky and see them all. We'll picnic along the way, and arrive at our Denali home in time for a hike to explore the local flora and fauna, not to mention capture some amazing views. Hiking distance: approximately 5 miles. Driving time total: approximately 4 hours. B, L, D

4 DAY 4 JUNE 12, WEDNESDAY Today we'll have more time to explore the wonders of Denali National Park. The park visitors' center and Murie Science Center can teach us a great deal about the area's history, geology, plants, and animals. Once we've educated ourselves, we'll continue our explorations by hiking up Mt. Healy for lunch and, hopefully, views of Denali, The Great One. We can choose to bag a peak today, or turn around at a lower elevation - the views are great either way. Dinner will be on your own, with a variety of options to choose from. Hiking distance: 5.5 miles, 1,700 ft. elevation gain, or less if we choose. B, L DAY 5 JUNE 13, THURSDAY We'll have this morning free to pursue our own explorations of Denali. Options included flight seeing, ATV adventures, visiting with sled dogs, local hikes, and much more. After lunch (on your own), we'll meet back at our cabins to go rafting on the Nenana River. You can choose between a class III/IV river with lots of rapids or a more gentle float. Regardless of which you choose, rafting this scenic river is loads of fun, and there's always a chance of seeing bears, moose, sheep, and caribou. Over dinner we can each share our chosen adventures of the day. B, D DAY 6 JUNE 14, FRIDAY For our final day in Denali, we'll venture fully into the park. There's only one road into this 6-million acre park, and we'll traverse it with a knowledgeable driver who will tell us all about what we're seeing as we drive to the Eielson Visitors Center. There will be many opportunities to take photos, and short stops along the way will allow us to stretch our legs. Once again, keep your eyes open for wildlife, and shout out if you see anything so everyone else can see it, too. Driving time: 7-8 hours. B, L, D

5 DAY 7 JUNE 15, SATURDAY After breakfast, we'll bid farewell to Denali and head to the charming town of Talkeetna. This unique (even by Alaskan standards) community is home to festivities such as the annual Moose Dropping Festival (no moose are harmed) and the Bachelor Auction and Ball (presumably no bachelors are harmed). We'll settle for exploring town after a hike through the alpine tundra, and maybe another opportunity to glimpse Denali. Hiking time: approximately 3 hours. Driving time: approximately 3 hours. B, L, D DAY 8 JUNE 16, SUNDAY For the final full day of our trip, we'll drive to Anchorage. Before we get there, however, we'll have the opportunity to visit one of the Alaska's hidden jewels: Hatcher Pass. Home to a historic gold mine, Independence Mine, Hatcher Pass offers splendid opportunities for hiking in alpine tundra while gawking at rugged mountains and glacial erratics, lichencovered boulders left behind when glaciers receded. We'll enjoy a picnic during our hike, and then continue our drive into Anchorage. We'll arrive in plenty of time for a shower before our farewell dinner. We're all sure to have lots of highlights to share before we say goodbye to our new friends. B, L, D DAY 9 JUNE 17, MONDAY This morning it's time to say goodbye as we depart for the airport. Our hotel has a shuttle so you can leave when you choose. But perhaps you're not ready to go yet? In that case, spend the day doing your laundry and then join us on our next adventure - Alaska: the Kenai Peninsula.

6 ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) is serviced by several major airlines. Alaska Airlines is the carrier with the most frequent flights to Fairbanks. Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines offer direct flights to the lower 48 from Fairbanks on a seasonal basis. Flying into Anchorage (ANC) and taking the scenic Alaska Railroad to Fairbanks (12 hours) is also a delightful option if you have time. ACCOMMODATIONS With the exception of the last night at Hampton Inn, we will be staying at several different family run lodges and hotels in double occupancy rooms with ensuite bathrooms. All are clean, comfortable, and will give you a feel for the real Alaska. WEATHER Alaskan weather is notoriously unpredictable. Rangers will tell you to expect sun, wind, rain, and clouds, sometimes all on the same day. June is typically one of the driest months in Alaska and it is not uncommon to experience a week of warm, sunny weather. However, we could have a week of continual cold drizzle. The important thing to keep in mind is, that with proper preparation, both of these can provide a pleasurable experience - please bring everything on the packing list and not much that isn't. Temperatures typically range from lows in the mid-30s to highs in the 70s. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. In order to avoid disappointment and expense in the event that you must cancel your trip we strongly urge you to purchase some type of insurance coverage. You can also sign up for it online at Travelex Insurance. To get the best rates, use as your location number on the Get A Quote page.

7 PACKING LIST 1 pair light to mid-weight hiking boots. Be sure they fit comfortably, without constriction, when you are wearing one liner sock and one hiking sock. 1 pair comfortable shoes to wear when we re not hiking: athletic shoes, Chaco/Teva/Keen sandals 1-2 pair thin liner socks: silk or synthetic equivalent (optional.) 2-3 pairs hiking socks: wool or synthetic equivalent. Do not skimp on socks. CLOTHING 1-2 pair lightweight, quick-drying hiking pants (supplex/nylon/blend). Zip offs are a good option. 1-2 pair lightweight long underwear top and bottoms: silk, wool or synthetic equivalent (Capilene, Thermastat, MTS, or polypropylene) 2 lightweight long sleeved shirt: one quick-drying button up is recommended 1 medium-weight top layer: wool or fleece vest/shirt/pull-over or synthetic equivalent 1 warm fleece jacket 1 rain parka and rain pants: a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex is preferable. Partial or full length leg zippers are great for easily putting your pants on over your shoes or boots. 1-2 pair shorts or ¾ pants: quick drying nylon shorts work well. 3 t-shirts or short-sleeved shirts (synthetic or lightweight wool are recommended) 1 warm hat/buff and gloves: wool or fleece. 1 wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap for rain, sun and high fashion Underwear/nightwear Comfortable clothes to wear in our hotels, out to dinner, etc. Cotton is fine for these. ESSENTIALS Bandanna Ear plugs and eye mask (recommended) 1 one-quart water bottle or hydration system Trekking poles (highly recommended) Insect repellent Sunglasses with case and retention strap Sunscreen and lip balm with at least SPF 15 1 Tupperware/plastic sandwich box 1 day pack (lined with a garbage bag or with a pack cover) large enough to hold your supplies for the day TOILETRIES (small everything) Medium sized towel (like a PakTowl) Toilet paper; tampons or pads in Ziploc bags Biodegradable soap, toothbrush, paste, dental floss, lotion, extra contact lenses/glasses, if you wear them. Please limit the scented items you bring, as we will be in bear country. Personal patch kit : band aids, ibuprofen, moleskin and Compeed (blister band aids), personal medications, if any. Individuals allergic to insect stings must bring an epi-pen. Please consult your physician. OPTIONAL PERSONAL GEAR Watch: water resistant Binoculars Small games or deck of cards Pocket knife Extra sunglasses w/chums (eyeglass retention straps) Your favorite snack(s) Camera, film/memory card, and extra batteries Waterproof camera bag Book(s), notebook, journal and pen/pencil National Park Pass (annual, golden, or military). These passes may entitle you to additional amenities/perks at parks.

8 NOTES ON PACKING Daypacks: You will need a daypack that is large enough to hold the following items: 1 liter of water, rain gear, lunch/snacks (for the day), warm layer (fleece pullover or vest), lightweight gloves, warm hat and any other desired personal items such as camera, journal, etc. We recommend a daypack with a capacity of between 1800 and 2400 cubic inches and preferably with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps and lifters, all of which will make your pack much more comfortable. If you re not sure if your pack is large enough, try packing it with everything you need for the day. Footwear: Well-fitting, sturdy hiking boots are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them as much as possible and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general trekking/hiking there are many choices in both materials and styles of boots. Your choice will depend on the environment you will be hiking as well as your personal preferences and physical condition of your feet and ankles. Boots can be made of leather, nubuck leather, synthetic materials or a combination and come in low, mid or ankle cut styles. For general trekking/hiking we recommend low/mid-height height, lightweight/midweight hiking boots/shoes with Vibram or Vibram type soles. Please note: If you have weaker ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury consider either the mid-height or the ankle height boots. Remember to waterproof your boots before the trip. (Even boots billed as waterproof still need to be treated with a waterproofing product it s the interior lining that is actually the waterproof part of the boot, not the exterior.) Personal First Aid Kit: We recommend bringing a small first aid kit with the following items: blister and/or foot remedies for blisters, hot spots, etc. (band aids/compeed/moleskin/personal choice), personal prescription medications, over the counter medications for common ailments (respiratory/colds, stomach issues, sore muscles/joints). Your AGC guide will have a first aid kit as well but if you already know what works for you it s best to have that with you. Clothing: All clothing for active wear should be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. NO COTTON for your active wear. The clothing listed on the packing list has been chosen for your specific trip conditions and for its versatility for layering. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity. Rain Gear: You will need a parka or jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack; can you still raise your arms? Lastly, the wind/rain pants. They should be comfortable, allow enough room for your layers, and permit free movement of your legs (for example, can you crouch comfortably?). Partial or full-length leg zippers are useful for easily putting your pants on over your boots. Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are essential for this trip. Trekking poles contribute to your safety by improving your balance and stability, and to your health by saving stress on your hips and knees. In addition, they help conserve your energy by transferring some of the work to your arms and chest. For a detailed description of considerations when purchasing a pair of trekking poles please see: If you are purchasing trekking poles for your trip please make sure they meet the following guidelines: 1. Height of the poles can be adjusted 2. They have an upright (as opposed to cane-like) handle 3. Have wrist straps that can be adjusted.