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On the starting day of the trek, students and guides/instructors will meet at 8:00 a.m. at AMS. This is a busy day, so please be on time and take care of all personal business beforehand. Instructors will do a check of each student's equipment and issue you any items you may need to ensure you are properly outfitted.
All rentals are issued on the first day as we are busy briefing and packing group gear and food prior to this day. After instructors inspect your equipment and issue any needed rental items, they will present a course orientation. We will cover fixed-line ascension before we pack, dress, and load up the van. If needed, the team will then make a trip to the AMS Mountain Shop for any last minute gear purchases.
Alaska Range Treks fly mid-morning onto the glacier in a ski-equipped fixed wing Cessna 185, DeHaviland Beaver or DHC Otter. The 30-45 minute flight into Denali National Park is the quickest way to access the snowy, glaciated peaks of the Alaska Range; the flight is a spectacular and memorable highlight to the course. Once you arrive at the glacier, your guide will establish a safe area, and you'll have a picnic lunch. The rest of the day will consist of campsite selection, pitching the tents, kitchen set up, a tour on the glacier, and of course, dinner.
Matanuska Glacier Treks drive mid-morning to the Matanuska Glacier, a three hour drive south from Talkeetna. On the drive, you'll have your lunch. Once you arrive at the glacier, your guide will instruct a class in glaciology and orient you to the toe of the glacier and the hazards. The rest of the day will consist of a tour on the glacier, crampon skills and movement, campsite selection, pitching the tents, and of course, dinner.