Alaska Expedition 2026

Join Outdoor Adventures on our first ever Alaska Expedition in July 2026!  

Our adventure begins deep in Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, the vast, rugged kingdom of towering peaks, sprawling glaciers, and silence broken only by the crunch of your boots. For four days, we'll backpack through one of the largest protected wilderness areas on Earth. Expect big terrain, real backcountry immersion, and the chance to sharpen your alpine skills. One of these days will be spent roping up to explore glacier systems, learning ice-climbing fundamentals on ancient ice, and hiking across landscapes that most travelers would only ever see from the window of a bush plane. 

The second half of the expedition shifts dramatically as we trade mountains for ocean, hiking boots for paddle blades, and glaciers for the sleek backs of humpback whales. In Aialik Bay near Seward, we’ll sea kayak through a labyrinth of fjords carved by ice and patrolled by puffins, seals, and breaching whales. Paddle near towering tidewater glaciers, camp on remote beaches, and take side-day hikes into moss-draped forests and alpine ridges that overlook the Gulf of Alaska.  

 To cap it all off, on our last day, we will plunge into Alaska’s whitewater for a final surge of adrenaline before heading back to civilization with an unforgettable whitewater rafting trip.  

 This is not your typical Alaska sightseeing tour. It’s an expedition-style journey built for those who want to earn their views, live out of a backpack and drybag, and experience Alaska in its most elemental form, from the heights of ancient mountains to the rhythm of the ocean.  

This isn’t a vacation, it’s an expedition. Challenging, immersive, and wildly beautiful, this is the Alaska few ever get to know. A full immersion in Alaska’s rawest landscapes, powered by teamwork, grit, and the wild spirit of summer in the Far North.

Head over to Global U to apply! For more information about this trip, email outdooradventure@crs.utah.edu.

 

Detailed Itinerary | July 6^th - 19^th

Day 1 – Anchorage Arrival & Expedition Launch: Touch down in Anchorage and meet the crew who will share the next two weeks of wilderness with you. We’ll settle into a cozy Airbnb for trip orientation, gear checks, and final prep. By evening, the group begins bonding over maps, stories, and the electric hum of anticipation. All flights must arrive by 6 p.m. because the expedition begins tonight.

Day 2 – Into the Wrangells: We hit the road early, heading deep into the vast frontier of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, where mountains rise like ramparts and glaciers spill into wide valleys. After a long and scenic drive, we reach the tiny outpost of McCarthy, the gateway to the true Alaskan backcountry. Tonight, we sleep under Alaska’s endless summer light for our first night in the wild. 

Days 3–4 – Backpacking Across the Root Glacier: Our mountain journey begins with the shimmering, deeply crevassed Root Glacier stretched before us. We’ll learn glacier travel skills, strap on crampons, and cross its ancient, blue-veined surface as a team. On the far side, surrounded by towering peaks and sweeping valleys, we establish camp. Over the next day, we have the option to continue deeper into the backcountry or take a day hike to explore hidden ridgelines and quiet glacial valleys, a real wilderness few ever get to visit. 

Day 5 – A Day on Blue Ice: Today, we return to the glacier but this time vertically. With ropes, tools, and guidance from trained staff, you’ll learn the art of ice climbing on the sculpted walls of living ice. It’s a day of challenge and exhilaration as you ascend crystalline faces formed over centuries. 

Day 6 – From Mountains to Sea: We pack out of the backcountry and return to our vehicles, transitioning from alpine terrain to coastal landscapes. The road carries us to Valdez, flanked by waterfalls, glaciers, and towering mountains. We’ll explore town, resupply, and prepare for tomorrow’s ferry crossing into Prince William Sound. 

Day 7 – Ferry Across Prince William Sound: Today we board the ferry and take a full day gliding through fjords, watching for sea lions, porpoises, and maybe even orcas. The Sound’s granite walls and drifting icebergs remind us how the sea shapes this land. Upon reaching Whittier, we continue to Seward to make camp…and savor our first showers of the trip.

Day 8 – Rest & Coastal Exploration: A full rest day in the lively coastal town of Seward. Lounge at camp, wander the harbor, sip coffee at local cafés, or take on a classic Alaskan challenge with a day hike up to the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice sheets in North America. Your body resets while your spirit recharges for the sea leg of the expedition. 

Day 9 – Launch into Aialik Bay: We meet our sea-kayaking outfitter, dial in our gear, and review paddling systems. Then a small ferry shuttles us down Resurrection Bay toward its sister, wild Aialik Bay, where we’re dropped at a remote shoreline, our first coastal backcountry camp. We review paddling procedures and finalize our float plan before slipping into expedition mode once again.

Days 10–11 – Wild Days on the Water: Two full days immersed in Alaska’s marine wilderness. Depending on tides and weather, we may paddle up to tidewater glaciers, glide through coves filled with puffins, drift quietly past rafts of sea otters, or watch humpbacks surface in the deep-blue expanse. Every campsite is a wild beach, every paddle stroke brings new wildlife and new perspective. 

Day 12 – Farewell to the Fjords: Our final day on the water gives us a last chance to listen to glaciers calving and waves echoing in narrow bays. By afternoon, we catch our shuttle back to Seward, de-issue our gear, and return to camp, grateful for our second shower and a flushing toilet. 

Day 13 – Whitewater Finale in Hope: We depart Seward and drive north along the rugged coastline to Hope, where glacier-fed Six-Mile Creek waits to deliver one final burst of adrenaline. This world-class whitewater run is the perfect crescendo to two weeks of mountain, ice, and ocean exploration. Tonight, we celebrate together including a final debrief and a well-earned dinner out. If we’re lucky, we may get to hear the echoes of a special Hope music show or enjoy an 11pm sunset on the mud flats of the Turnagain Arm for our final night of the trip. 

Day 14 – Homeward Through the Mountains: We savor our last camp breakfast, then follow the Seward Highway back toward Anchorage, mountains rising on one side and Turnagain Arm on the other. Flights must depart after 2 p.m. to give us a smooth journey back. We say our goodbyes to each other—and to the unforgettable wilderness that carried us from glacier peaks to ocean fjords.

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