AAVE's Ultimate Alaska Summer Camp

DAY 1:
You will be met upon arrival at the airport gate by your experienced AAVE expedition leaders. After a complete gear check to assure that you are prepared for the diverse, demanding and remote regions we explore, we load up and head to our first camp at Eagle River State Park, just northeast of Anchorage. During orientation we get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, jobs and safety rules are explained and the process of growing together as a group begins!

DAYS 2-5:
We begin our backpack into Chugach State Park. Just beyond the foothills of Anchorage, this protected area is the third largest state park in the country at half a million acres! We learn how to practice Leave No Trace ethics and travel safely in the wilderness and in bear country. Following the Glen Alps/Williwaw Lakes Route, we enjoy spotting wildflowers, glacier-fed rivers, high peaks, alpine lakes, moose, eagles, and maybe even a grizzly. On the last day of our trek, we hike back out to the trailhead, travel to Anchorage for a well-deserved restaurant dinner, and continue on to our camp in Eagle River.

DAY 6:
We "give back" to the community by volunteering for the day at the Boys & Girls Club in Anchorage. The Club allows youth to have a safe place to learn and grow, to develop ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals and to participate in life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. Boys & Girls Clubhouses are open before and after school, when kids have free time and need positive, productive activities. Every Clubhouse has trained youth development professionals, providing positive role models and mentors. As volunteers, we provide key supplementary support in the areas of club maintenance, administrative support and active participation with club members. AAVE’s day of service at the Boys & Girls Club is an eye-opening glimpse into the life of Alaskan youth, and offers us the valuable opportunity to give back to the areas and communities in which we travel.

DAY 7:
After resupplying in Anchorage, we travel south beside towering peaks and crystal-clear bays to the port city of Seward. Dramatically positioned on the Kenai Peninsula on the shores of Resurrection Bay, the city is named after William Seward, who famously negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia in the 1800's. Seward is one of Alaska's major ports and the state's railroad terminus, gathering and shipping goods and supplies throughout the entire state. We set up camp just outside of the city limits, and get some rest in preparation for tomorrow's kayaking adventure!

DAY 8:
We rise early and meet our professional guides from Kayak Adventures Worldwide who brief us on the technical and safety aspects of Alaskan sea kayaking. We then hit the water for an unforgettable day on Resurrection Bay! Surrounded by spectacular peaks and soaring bald eagles, we paddle our tandem kayaks to a nearby beach for a close-up view of the area's unique moss covered rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled for more amazing wildlife, including moose, bears, deer, sea otters, and the occasional whale!

DAY 9:
We meet our Forest Ranger guide at Kenai Fjords National Park for a day of exploration at the base of the colossal Exit Glacier. Exit Glacier is the only part of the National Park accessible by road, and numerous walking trails allow us to hike alongside this active glacier. Our interpretive hike will focus on geology/glaciology of the Exit Glacier valley as well as climate change at Kenai Fjords National Park. It is a place where you can witness up close how glaciers re-shape a landscape and learn how plant life reclaims the barren rocky land exposed by a glacier's retreat. After our hike, we return north to Eagle River and set up camp.

DAY 10:
Our second day of service begins with Rangers teaching us the essentials of building and maintaining trails in Chugach State Park. We put in a hard day's work with the goal of improving the Alaskan wilderness. Projects vary depending on the current needs of the park, but may include trail building, trail maintenance, fire suppression projects and other environmental conservation work. Tonight we set up our base camp at the foot of the Matanuska Glacier as we prepare for ice climbing tomorrow!

DAY 11:
Our next challenge is the exhilarating sport of ice climbing! Over the next four days, our master guides from Alaska Mountaineering School teach us mountaineering techniques essential for top rope climbing, zip lining and either a summit or a mock crevasse rescue! Today is focused on our ice climbing orientation regarding safety and equipment use. We get a feel for the basics of the sport by learning crampon techniques, self arrests and useful knots.

DAY 12:
On our second day of climbing, we explore more of the Matanuska Glacier. In the morning, we expand on ice axe and crampon techniques. We also practice low angle ice climbing, top roping and belaying. In the afternoon, we focus on rope management, more top rope climbing and vertical ice climbing techniques.

DAY 13:
On day three of our ice climbing course, we are ready for more challenging routes. In addition to more exciting top rope climbing, we also try a Tyrollean traverse, which is a method of crossing an open space between two high points on a zip line. This is a team activity with some of the best photo ops on the trip!

DAY 14:
On our final day of ice climbing, we have the option of either summiting the nearby peak of Lions Head or participating in a mock crevasse rescue. In the afternoon, we return to our campsite, de-issue equipment and bid farewell to our guides as we prepare for tomorrow's whitewater adventure!

DAYS 15-16:
Two thrilling days plunging down the Matanuska River is wild Alaska at its finest! Led by our professional rafting guides, this heart-pumping adventure takes us over class III and IV rapids amidst Dall Sheep and towering peaks. This trip combines some of Alaska's best whitewater with spectacular scenery and riverside camping. Our multi-day trips are self contained (accompanied by equipment/gear boats), allowing us to camp at a very scenic, peaceful, and remote site along the river.

DAY 17:
As we prepare for our final adventure in Denali, we resupply and visit the charming towns of Palmer and Talkeetna. We travel to camp at Byers Lake in Denali State Park, which is also our trailhead for tomorrow's backpack in the shadow of the commanding Alaska Mountain Range.

DAYS 18-21:
For Ultimate Alaska's grand finale, we trek the Kesugi Ridge trail in Denali State Park. Hiking in the shadow of the tallest peak in North America, we put to use our new backcountry skills and practice topographic map and compass techniques. For the next four days we savor our last bit of time in Alaska with the majestic 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley on the horizon. We may see grizzly, caribou, moose, fox and eagles as we enjoy our last few days together in the wilderness.

DAY 22:
We head back to Anchorage to clean up all our gear, enjoy our last meal together and celebrate our epic accomplishments in the great state of Alaska!

DAY 23:
We wake up early, head to the airport, say goodbye to our new friends and start planning our AAVE adventures for next year

Price Includes:
Two CPR and First Aid Certified AAVE leaders; all ground costs, all ground transportation including airport pickup and drop-off; all camping and camping gear (except sleeping bags, sleep mats and mess kits); all activities and gear listed in the above itinerary; all meals; local gratuities to wait-staff and all hotels or hostels.

Price Doesn't Include:
Flights to/from Anchorage; optional gratuities, extra snacks and souvenirs.

This itinerary is a sample outline of the program highlights. It is not a precise description. Changes made before or during the trip will only be made in the interest of safety or a more successful trip. This diverse itinerary is our framework for a summer of exhilaration and adventure. Get your mind and body set. Activities are planned using years of experience with your highest expectations in mind.

We appreciate the importance of this decision and want you to be as informed as possible! Please phone 303.526.0806 or email us at info@aave.com with questions, to receive 2009 references or to make a reservation.

We look forward to having you join us!