August 19th, 2002 
August 20th, 2002
                            
August 21st, 2002 
August 25th, 2002 

August 26th, 2002
August 31st, 2002
Sept. 1st, 2002
Sept. 8th, 2002
Sept. 9th, 2002
Sept. 10th, 2002
Sept. 11th, 2002
Sept. 12th, 2002
Sept. 13th, 2002
Sept. 14th, 2002
Sept. 18th, 2002
Sept. 19th, 2002
Sept. 20th, 2002

              - Trip Itinerary - 

Participants traveling from Norway Arrive in Calgary.
Gear day in Calgary. Food and other trip supplies as well as personal gear will be purchased. Evening will be spent packing.
Departure from Calgary, We drive own vehicles. Departure time is early morning.
Arrival Whitehorse, Yukon. Last supplies and food to be purchased and final packing for the river.
Drive to Haynes Junction, Yukon and set the raft on the river. Departure in the morning.
1st tentative portage day past Turnback Canyon (16Km)
2nd day of portage past Turnback Canyon
Take out in Dry Bay, Alaska. Last day on the river
Fly out back to Whitehorse, Yukon
Driving to Denali National Park, Alaska
Bus to Wonder Lake, Denali National Park
Hike to McConagall Pass, Denali National Park
Hike back to Wonder Lake
Bus back to Park Entrance. Starting the drive back to Calgary
Arrival Calgary
Group members from Norway boarding flight back.
Group members from Norway arrive home.

 - Trip Description - 

The journey starts at Haynes Junction in Yukon Territory. It is about a 2 hour drive west of Whitehorse. For the next 15 days we will be rafting through some of the most stunning and pristine wilderness left on earth. A total distance of approximately 270 kilometers of river until we arrive at Dry Bay, Alaska. The first few days will be spent rafting through Kluane National Park in south west Yukon followed by Tatshenshini - Alsek Wilderness Area in British Columbia and at last Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. The trip takes us through several climatic zones from the dry inland climate in the Kluane area gradually changing to a coastal rainforest. After 2-3 days we arrive at our first glacial Lake along the way. The Lowell Glacier is the responsible party and I am sure it is an incredible vista. We will make camp beside this lake. 5-6 days into the trip we will arrive at the Tweedmuir Glacier. The glaciers large terminal moraine has created the Turnback Canyon, a stretch of 16 kilometers with continuous class 6 whitewater. It is not recommended for even the best rafter/kayaker to run this section as that would be extremely dangerous. Most groups arrange to be portaged by helicopter. We have decided to portage this stretch by foot, carrying our equipment across the Tweedmuir Glacier. This will likely take us 2 days to complete. I have heard of groups doing that before and the travel conditions across the glacier is supposedly easy to moderate. (I will investigate further) At approximately day 9 we will reach the confluence with Tatshenshini River. This is a great area and we should spend a night here. Our next stop will likely be Walker Glacier. I think everyone will agree spending 2 nights here. It offers easy access to glacier hiking as well as more alpine terrain. 3 - 4 hours of rafting from Walker Glacier we arrive at The Spit where we will spend one night before crossing Alsek Lake to camp on an island in front of Alsek Glacier. This camp has a gorgeous view of Mount Fairweather and the Alsek Glacier.  The following day we will paddle along Alsek and Grand Plateau Glacier to our next camp on the south west end of Alsek Lake.
From here it takes us about 3 - 4 hours to raft out to the Dry bay Airstrip. If the water level is low we may not be able to use the side channel leading in to the airstrip and we may have to paddle back up from below which would take up to an hour at most. Our last night will be spent by the airstrip waiting for the our fly out the following day. This is weather dependant and we may have to sit for several days before our flight can get in to pick us up. A delayed fly out may force us to alter our plans for after the raft trip.

See some pictures from our previous Tatshenshini - Alsek Expeditions:  1999  2000

 - Trip Planning Information and Updates - 

 - Expedition Participant List - 

Arild Dahl (24) - Grogn, Norway
Håkon Askerhaug (32) - Cochrane, Alberta, Canada
Jarle Traa (32) - Voss, Norway
Eivind Nordgård (24) - Grogn, Norway
Kevin Zentner - Cochrane, Alberta, Canada
Three spots are still open. The expedition will be capped at 8 participants.

 - Gear List - 

 - Park Rules, Regulations and Ethical Standards - 

Look at these links to familiarize yourself with the regulations and standards for this trip
Kluane National Park and Preserve: Information and regulative standards for river adventurers.
Kluane National Park and Preserve: Additional Information about Rafting activities
Glacier bay National Park Services: Environmental & Safety standards and Ethics. (.pdf file)

 - Tips for Camping and Safe Behavior in Bear Country - 

The entire journey takes us through an area with a very high density of bears. Both Black and Brown bears inhabit the area. This  area is mostly covered with permanent ice and snow and leaves only a small part behind that is suitable as bear habitat. These areas are usually in the valley bottoms which is also where we will be spending most of our time. It is unlikely not to encounter bears during our 15 days on the river. Make sure you study and understand the precautions listed below so we do not create any  conflict with these magnificent animals while we visit their home. Food conditioning must be avoided at all cost to prevent future bear problems in the area. For protection we will be carrying Bear spray and Bear bangers for defense against a possible bear attack. Firearms are not allowed in the park areas.

DO:
· Watch for signs of bears: tracks and scats.
· Detour around areas where you see or smell fish or animal carcasses, or see scavengers (ravens and magpies) congregated.
· Make noise to prevent startling a bear, particularly where visibility is limited.
· Avoid camping near trails or wildlife corridors where you see signs of bears.
· Keep a clean camp.
· Keep yourself clean and free of food odors.
· Cook at least 100 yards from your tent and store your food at least 100 yards from both your tent and your cooking spot.
· Pack out garbage and store it just as you would your food.
· Pack food with minimal odors such as freeze-dried meals.
· If no trees are available, store your food in airtight or specially designed bear-proof containers

IF YOU SEE A BEAR:
· Don't run. Don't approach the bear. If the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly away.
· Use telephoto lenses and binoculars to observe bears at a safe distance (at least 100 yards).
· Remember that sows with cubs are especially dangerous.

IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BEAR:
· Wave your arms to identify yourself as a human if the bear is aware of you and approaching.
· Speak to the bear in a firm but calm voice.
· Retreat slowly, diagonally. Do not drop your pack, and do not turn your back.
· If the bear follows you stand your ground.

IF A BEAR MAKE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH YOU:
Both Black bears and grizzlies (called brown bears near the coast) inhabit this region. Research indicates different tactics for attacks from each species.
If the bear is a grizzly: Play dead. Become submissive. Curl up into a ball. Leave your pack on to protect your back. If the attack is prolonged, change tactics and fight back vigorously.
If a black bear makes physical contact, fight back.

FIREARMS AND BEAR SPRAY:
Carrying firearms in most of these Park Areas is prohibited. Defensive aerosol sprays that contain capsicum (red pepper) have been used with success for protection against bears. These sprays may be effective at a range of 6-8 yards. If discharged upwind or in a vehicle, they can disable others with you or the person using them. If you must fly with one, be sure to inform the pilot so they can store it properly.

Kluane National Park and Preserve: Parks Canada site for Kluane National Park

- Check back from time to time as information gets added or updated -