Wrangell-St. Elias Packraft

McCarthy · United States

Expedition Grade14 daysNorth America~£5,000 est.

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Overview

Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States — six Yellowstones would fit inside it — and almost none of it has trails. A packraft expedition out of McCarthy is the classic way in: walk onto the Root Glacier past the ghost mines of Kennecott, cross the moraine of Donoho Basin, then inflate the boat and let the silty, fast Kennicott and Nizina rivers carry you down towards the Chitina. Ice cliffs, canyon walls and grizzly prints on every gravel bar; a fortnight can pass without seeing another party. This is genuinely self-supported wilderness — no huts, no phone signal, weather and water levels judged for yourself. Cold water is the hazard that catches people: glacial rivers run at 2–4°C and braid unpredictably, so a drysuit and honest Class II-III judgement matter more than fitness. Access is simple by Alaskan standards: drive the McCarthy Road from Chitina or fly in, base at McCarthy, and build a loop to match ability. Guided trips with all gear run about £5,000 for two weeks; June to August offers 18-hour daylight, with early summer giving the lowest water.