Latest blog entries

Climbing in the Arrigetch Peaks

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:02:07 +0000

Following on the thread of my recent photo of the month, I figured you'd get a kick out seeing the Arrigetch Peaks in the winter. Last spring, a team of world class climbers went into the area to attempt a first ascent on one of the area's stunning peaks. Corey Rich, accomplished adventure photographer & film maker, along with Tommy Caldwell and Hayden Kennedy not only nabbed a first ascent but also made this great short film. Even if you're not a climber, you'll be blown away by the footage and the winter landscape of Gates of the Arctic!

Alaska Photo of the Month: January 12, 2012

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:50:52 +0000

©Dan Oberlatz

Is 3 in-a-row a record? Anyone?

So let's begin the new year with a shot from summer in Gates of the Arctic National Park. Even though our Alaska days are now growing longer by the hour and we're having a spectacular winter, we all long for the warmth of midnight arctic sunlight and yearn to shed a layer or two of winter garb.

I took this photo last August as our team rounded the corner of upper Arrigetch Creek and caught our first glimpse of the famed Arrigetch Peaks. We spent the next 6-days hiking on a carpet of autumn-drenched tundra past the peaks and through the valleys pictured. The fact that we enjoyed 11-straight days of perfect weather did nothing less than gild the entire experience. Our adventure into the Arrigetch and down the Alatna River was, as one of our guests so aptly described it, purely "transformative!"

As you begin to think about your summer vacation plans, I'll let this particular guest sum up his experience traveling with Alaska Alpine Adventures.

"The word I keep coming back to is "pivotal." There was something about the physical exertion, the mental challenge, the mind-blowing Alaska landscape, the natural serenity - it all just combined to have a very positive and transformative effect on me. I now find myself wanting to seek out similar trips and embrace similar challenges. And this trip is staying with me far more than most trips I've ever done, almost like some tangible asset that is now mine and mine alone, having been conveyed to me by the experience itself."

With praise like that, why not try and repeat the magic? So, we're going back to the Arrigetch Peaks region this coming August on two different trips. The first is a is our amazing 12-day combination backpacking & kayaking (suitable for novice paddlers) adventure going from August 8-19, 2012. The second is a 10-day pure backpacking trip going from August 18-27, 2012. Space is now very limted on both of these guaranteed trips.

Thanks again for following Alaska Alpine Adventures. Look for us on Facebook or on Twitter -@AlaskaGurus. We've been more diligent about posting current happenings and trip videos

on these social media platforms, so if you can't wait for the next photo of them month, then check us out there. You can also visit our Alaska Gurus Blog for past photos of the month and other AK rants. As always, we promise not to inundate your email boxes with anything

other than a monthly Alaska pick-me-up!

Dan Oberlatz
Alaska Alpine Adventures, LLC
1-877-525-2577
www.AlaskaAlpineAdventures.com

Alaska Photo of the Month: December 2011

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:52:00 +0000

You Are Not A Passenger - Alaska Photo of the Month: December 14, 2011

I won't say "I'm on a roll here" because in addition to excuses and procrastination, I'm also prone to exaggeration. So I'll simply preface this photo of the month with a simple Happy Holidays!

I'm way past overdue introducing you all to Mark Stevens. This past August Mark, pictured here at Dick Proenneke's cabin on Upper Twin Lake in Lake Clark National Park in 2010, completed his 11th expedition over 10 consecutive years with Alaska Alpine Adventures. And it's my honor to say I've been with him for 10 of 11 of those trips.

In August Mark and I completed what we believe to be the first summer-time traverse of the Neacola Mountains in Lake Clark National Park. Our route was 87 miles long, involved 55 miles of roped-up glacier travel, 7 glaciated passes, river crossings, some steep & scary terrain, and two rappels to get over our final pass. But in classic Oberlatz/Stevens fashion we completed the route in style - light (64 lbs going out), fast (11-days of travel), and with ample Kentucky Bourbon and fine cigars to make every finished day complete.

Mark owns a highly acclaimed deli & catering business in Louisville, KY called Stevens & Stevens. Guests of his catered events have included Queen Elizabeth and Laura Bush among others and his deli on Bardstown Road is on everyone's Louisville hit list. When it comes to food, Mark's game is always on. But he's more than an amazing chef and accomplished explorer, he's also an incredible family man and a person who has been an important mentor to me over the last decade.

Over the next few months, I'll be sharing a few photos from my trips with Mark through the years. And as the images periodically end up in your in-box, you'll be able to put in context the amount of commitment, dedication, training, and passion for Alaska that it takes to pull these adventures off year-in and year-out; not to mention the cumulative experience it takes in this type of terrain to execute these trips safely.

Alaska Photo of the Month - March 2011

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 14:49:00 +0000

You Are Not A Passenger - Alaska Photo of the Month: March 4, 2011

Happy 2011 Everyone!

Here's the 4th (and for those of you counting, I did miss a month or two!) from our exploratory trip into Denali National Park this past summer.

First things first - what comes to mind when you look at this photo? If you're thinking words like ominous, dark, wet, slippery, steep, loose, or just plain scary, then you certainly have good wilderness instinct! In fact, in reality, this slope was even more difficult and dangerous than the picture conveys.

After hiking up the extraordinarily rocky Kanikula glacier in a driving rain storm, we had to find a suitable place to exit the glacier on its west flank in order to continue our route to Bear Creek. Our only option turned out to be this 500' talus field that teetered uncomfortably close to the angle of repose - the steepest slope a pile of rocks will take before it collapses. Not only were the rocks dangerously loose, they were also incredibly slick with rain saturated lichen.

After we got to the top of the field, Aaron and I decided that we would never attempt this particular route in the Denali National Park again. What we were calling Denali "unexplored" had, in brief period of a couple of hours, become Denali "unrepeated!" All future backpacking trips into Denali would avoid the miserable Kanikula Glacier valley.

If you are thinking about joining us on a guided backpacking or hiking trip in Denali this summer, you might want to act quickly. Trips are filling fast - visit our confirmed trips pagefor details. And, as always, if you have any Alaska related questions whatsoever, feel free to drop me an email or give me a call. All the best to you and yours in 2011!

What Men Want 2007 - America's Best

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Men's Journal (December 2006)
"What Men Want 2007 - America's Best"
By Bobby Model

"If you're going to do something, or go someplace, it might as well be the best."

AMERICA'S BEST - Whatever is worth doing at all, someone once said, is worth doing well. We believe in the corollary: If you're going to do something, or go someplace, it might as well be the best. Which is why we polled dozens of experts and thousands of readers to help us rank America's top golf courses, river trips, fly-fishing spots, ballparks, steakhouses, and more.

What Men Want - Best Hikes

# 6 - Matanuska Peak Trail - Northeast of Anchorage, AK. From the small town of Palmer you ascend 5,670 feet in only four miles to the summit of Matanuska, with views of the towering Chugach and, if you crane your neck, Denali (matsugov.us).

#10 - TURQUOISE TO TWIN TRAVERSE - Lake Clark National Park, AK. With two active volcanoes and a healthy wildlife population, Lake Clark National Park is quintessential frontier Alaska. You'll need a bush plane drop-off and at least a week to trek from Turquoise Lake to Twin Lakes or hire Alaska Alpine Adventures to guide you (www.alaskaalpineadventures.com)

Arctic Polar Bears

guides@alaskaalpineadventures.com (aaron) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:57:00 +0000

After 10 years in the adventure travel business, I can honestly say I've seen some amazing places, had some extraordinary adventures and certainly spent some time way off the map. Last week, I had the opportunity for one last trip in 2010, and couldn't help but jump at the opportunity.

Visiting the northern coast of the continent has always been a goal of mine, and seeing polar bear has certainly been elevated on my list due to the increasing loss of habitat and uncertain future of these amazing creatures. The trip had been planned for some time, but it wasn't until the morning of that I realized the extent of the adventure that I was about to embark on. We were headed for Kaktovik, Alaska - one of the northernmost villages on the continent, accessible only by boat on the Arctic ocean, snow machine across hundreds of miles of wilderness or airplane (we opted for the airplane).

Our goal? To view polar bears in their natural habitat. Simple enough right? We hoped so.

As we landed in Kaktovik, the first thing I noticed was snow. When I left Anchorage earlier, it was still fall. Crisp mornings, the colors were amazing, and I could still get away with a hoody as my outer layer. It appeared that the arctic was well into winter. With a 20 knot wind buffeting the side of the truck, we made our way from the runway to the hotel, where we settled into bush living. We were pleasantly surprise with the amenities this small village had - running water, flush toilets, and plenty of heat. Like home - just without pavement, stop lights or droves of people. We were remote, and life certainly revolved around a different set of standards.

We didn't stay still for long, as polar bears had been filling our thoughts for days, and we hoped to spend as much time with them as possible. With a short drive out to the whale bone pile on the edge of town, we were rewarded with our first views of these magnificent creatures. The bone pile is a sort of offering to the polar bears, in an effort to keep them out of town, where they are a danger to residents, and certainly destined to be in the sights of at least a few rifles. As the bears feasted on the remains of this seasons whale hunt, I could not help but feel awed by the spectacle in front of me. This is one of the most well adapted creatures on the earth, humble in their existence. My perception of wildlife was forever altered. These are creatures that live and thrive in one of the most inhospitable places on the planet.

The daylight that first day, as well as the remaining days of our trip quickly passed, and our plane bound for Anchorage arrived before we were ready. We were left with many thoughts as well as questions. Questions like what will happen to this creature? Will it adapt to the changes in the world, or will we adapt in an attempt to stop the changes? Now that we had shared this experience with them, I don't think any of us could imagine life without them.

The current listing for polar bears is Threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act. As with any listing that potentially effects resource development, not everyone agrees with the listing. However, having seen this amazing species, I couldn't agree more. This is something worth protecting, saving in fact.

Another Season

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:20:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that we are wrapping up another season here at Alaska Alpine Adventures. It seems like just yesterday we were prepping gear, looking over maps and getting ready for the the hectic schedule that comes every summer. Now, the house is mothballed for the winter, the van's are in storage, and Dan and I are settled back into our winter office routine. There is termination dust on the mountaintops, and it's only a matter of time until Anchorage sees its first substantial snowfall.

As I look back on our season, I can't help but smile. We took our guests to the most remote and spectacular places in the state, and explored corners of our National Parks that truly took our breath away. It is always amazing to share these wild places with new guests as well rekindling friendships with guests that are returning for their 4th or 5th trip.

We had a great crew this year, with the best batch of new guides I've seen in a long time, as well as a solid group of returning guides. They have all headed back to the lower 48, on to winter jobs, school or further adventure.

So, if you're in the neighborhood, and are looking to chat about past or future adventures in Alaska, swing by our Spenard office and pull up a chair.

Thanks for a great season!

Alaska Photo of the Month - May

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Mon, 03 May 2010 10:40:00 +0000

You Are Not A Passenger - Exciting Alaska News - May 1, 2010

We're excited to announce that our Twin Lakes Paddle combination kayaking and hiking trip in Lake Clark National Park has been awarded one of National Geographic "50 Tours of a Lifetime" in the May/June issue of Traveler Magazine!

In addition to being the only outfitter listed in Alaska, we are also one of only 6 companies listed in all of North America. Furthermore, the photo above (one that I took in 2003) is featured both online and in the magazine. Here's what National Geographic has to say:

"Travelers now seek more perspective, meaning, and challenge. They want to see the unvarnished reality of a place, not just the fantasy. Outfitters have responded by dialing down the luxury and refocusing on core offerings. Their itineraries are more innovative and experiential?aimed at developing lasting connections between people. These guided tours are part of National Geographic Traveler's 50 Tours of a Lifetime for 2010 for the outfitters' commitment to authenticity, immersion, sustainability, and connection."

We are again truly honored and humbled to be recognized by National Geographic. And if you haven't been to Twin Lakes yet, now's the time!

World's Best Trekking and Hiking Destinations

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:07:00 +0000

World's Best Trekking and Hiking Destinations

Posted using ShareThis

Alaska Photo of the Month - March

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:19:00 +0000

Welcome to the first photo from my July, 2009 into the North Wrangell Mountains in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Longtime guests Mark & Joan Strobel, a couple from St. Paul, MN who likes to do long and difficult backpacking trips, joined me on this incredible trip into the northern most portion of Wrangell-St. Elias NP. Not only did we explore over 80 miles of breathtaking wilderness, we also enjoyed perfect weather and conditions not uncommon in this part of Alaska!

This shot was taken early in the trip, near the tundra clad mountain top where our Piper Super Cub pilot had dropped us off. The peak in the backdrop, one that dominated the southern horizon throughout our expedition, is Mt. Jarvis - 13,471'

If you're thinking about a guided backpacking trip in Alaska this summer, keep us at the top of the list! And, of course, if you have any Alaska related questions feel free to drop me an email or give me a call.

Dan Oberlatz
Alaska Alpine Adventures, LLC
1-877-525-2577
www.AlaskaAlpineAdventures.com

Anchorage - A World Class Destination

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:50:00 +0000

You know, I was out skiing on the trails in Anchorage on Sunday, cruising along the coastal trail just west of downtown, and had to pause. In front of me was miles of groomed trail, to my left wooded, inviting neighborhoods, and to my right Cook Inlet. Across the inlet, less than 50 miles away, was the snow covered skyline of the Neacola Mountains. Denali could be seen 300 miles away further north.

I was skiing in the 23rd Tour of Anchorage nordic ski race, where over 1800 participants came out on a beautiful Sunday to truly enjoy our trail system, and the uniqueness of our city. World Class comes to mind. Skiing through the heart of Anchorage without having to wait for traffic, navigating an amazing trail network that was groomed to olympic standards the night before the race.

As much as the race was the focus of my weekend, the happenings in Anchorage and Alaska this past weekend really prove that Alaska is a World Class destination, any time of the year. On Saturday, we celebrated the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, with dog teams racing through town with spectators lining the streets. Sunday, while we were busy skiing, the official start was happening 100 miles north, as mushers checked their gear one last time before heading out into the wildest wilderness Alaska could throw at them. It really is the last great race.

Why am I writing this? We are busy this week at a conference in Palmer for the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association. The true mission of this great organization is to promote sustainable tourism in Alaska, and represent small business that get lost in the blanket marketing for the state. They promote sustainable practices, have launched a green certification branch known as Adventure Green Alaska, and have recently unveiled a new website, Visit Wild Alaska, designed to help promote their members, and get the word out that people looking to come to Alaska don't have to just get on a cruise ship. We all agreed how Alaska is the perfect destination, not only for the group minded cruise passenger, but even more so for those independent travelers in search of adventure. Alaska is the last place in the nation that can offer that - true, unscripted adventure. Its a hard place to beat.

Alaska. World Class. Amazing trails, spectacular wilderness, the Iditarod! - and its the middle of winter.

The Goat Trail

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:11:00 +0000

Join Alaska Alpine Adventures on the Goat Trail and not only will you get to experience this amazing route first hand, but you'll be treated to a scenic drive to Chitna, Alaska, a fantastic bush flight to McCarthy and a night in the World Famous Kennicott Glacier Lodge. Our Goat Trail is all inclusive: Just get yourself to Anchorage, and we'll take care of the rest!

Downtown Spenard

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:49:00 +0000

Not only do we love the Wonder Bread factory across the street from our office, the local moose population (and those who like to harass them!) do as well.

Anchorage Skier Headed for the Olympics

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:05:00 +0000

Congratulations to Anchorage skier and APU Nordic Ski coach Holly Brooks on making the US Ski Team!

http://www.adn.com/sports/olympics/story/1110936.html

New Guided Alaska Backpacking Trip in Denali National Park

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:56:00 +0000

Today we announced a new backpacking trip we're offering this summer in Denali National Park! We've finally found the transportation link to go from Anchorage in a floatplane with Rusts Flying Service all the way into the park, and eventually all the way out to Talkeetna with Talkeetna Air Taxi. This is going to be an AMAZING TRIP!

Click Here to check out the trip!

Here's the link to the press release.

New Guided Alaska Backpacking Trip in Denali National Park

We're Live!

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:13:00 +0000

The new Alaska Alpine Adventures website went live tonight, January 10, 2009 at 7:50pm PST. Aaron and I are proud of the effort and certainly want to give a shout out to The Thinkery for their unbelievable dedication and commitment to the project. The collective effort yielded a site that is 1) full of compelling imagery (all of which are from actual Alaska Alpine Adventure trips!) 2) easy to navigate and 3) an appealing place to hang out for a while.

While we still have some fine tuning to do, we're confident that you'll find the site worthy of a bookmark for those times when you just need an Alaska fix! We'll be sharing some of our favorite pages in the coming days/weeks, but in the meantime, just check it out.

Buried

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:08:00 +0000

Hey Everyone,
We've been in incommunicado for the last few days and wanted ya'll to know the reason why. Aaron and I are totally consumed with our new website, which we hope to launch (fingers and toes crossed) on Monday, January 11, 2010. We're really excited to share with all of our friends and fans the new AAA presence. Here's what you can look forward to in the new site.

- User friendly layout.
- Comprehensive destination information.
- Dedicated trip pages with slide shows for each trip.
- A simple, yet refined navigation structure.
- And of course, TONS of great photos taken on real Alaska Alpine Adventures.

Stay tuned...a bright new light will be soon shining in Spenard, Alaska!

Seeking Adventure? Look No Further.

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Alaska Business Monthly (April 2008)
"Seeking Adventure? Look No Further"
By Heather A. Resz

It's a bit like spinning the globe and pointing a finger to select a destination the way modern-day explorer Dan Oberlatz, owner of Alaska Alpine Adventures, plucks expeditions from his imagination and then plots them using topographic mapping software. His love of Alaska's wild placed led him to start the business in 1998 as a way to help pay for his own trips into Alaska's backcountry, and in the company's second year in business it had two clients, Oberlatz said. "It took us a long time before we made a dime," he added. "It kind of started as a way to finance our aspirations to see the state."

New trips added to the Alaska Alpine Adventures Web site emerge from Oberlatz' teeming brain. Say he sets his mind to float the Charlie River. He loads the mapping software on his computer and plans a route. Then he adds the adventure to his Web site's list of possible expeditions and Oberlatz guides the trip if enough people sign up.

After 10 summers of showing visitors the wilderness he loves, he said he was finally able to hire his first full time employee last year. And, if his reservation list is any indication, Oberlatz said, Alaska Alpine Adventures is on pace to have its busiest year so far. His bump in business may be due, in part, to the company's inclusion in a National Geographic Adventure Magazine feature. In the November 2007 issue, called the "Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth," Oberlatz' business was listed among the top 10 adventure travel companies worldwide, and was one of eight Alaska companies featured.
"We're on a pretty elite list," he said. Alaska Alpine scored highest on the client interview portion of the six month long review. Oberlatz said all of his clients gave the company the highest possible rating for customer service.
But those high marks only drive Oberlatz to work harder. "We really have to make sure we are living up to that expectation," he said. "We're challenging ourselves to be better and to improve."

Flat Screen
The majority of Alaska Alpine Adventures customers come from two places: Web bookings and repeat customers, Oberlatz said. He added that one client from Louisville, Ky., has booked eight consecutive trips. Increasing numbers of travelers are using Internet search engines to browse lists of companies offering Alaska travel options. For small companies, such as Oberlatz', the Web levels the playing field between big and small travel companies. "It's a flat screen," Oberlatz said of the way the Internet lets travelers make their own reservations with companies of all sizes.

The "Alaska Visitor Statistics Program V, Interim Visitor Volume Report," prepared for the State of Alaska by the McDowell Group, estimated that 1.7 million out-of-state visitors came to Alaska from May to September 2007. Visitation increased by 43 percent between 2001 and 2007, according to the report. Marketing materials for Alaska Alpine Adventures credit Alaska itself for pulling travelers back to experience its wonders again and again. Our guests are drawn by the magnetism of northern wildernes and its creature," the brochure says. "They revisit to savor the palpable emoution of solitude, and to immerse themselves in something that few are fortunate to experience - pure and untouched wilderness."

Oberlatz said the food is another reason clients return. Chef Derek Nelson has spent the last 10 years fine-tuning backcountry techniques, recipes and ingredients. His healthy, flavorful, filing and nutritious meals include fare such as steaming chicken satay on a bed of udon noodles followed by a homemade coffee-toffee brownie. "People know they are going to eat very well on our trips," Oberlatz said.

Although Oberlatz has spent nearly two decades adventuring through the wilds of Alaska, he stills remembers his first two years living at Lake Clark where he fell in love with the Great Land. Ultimately, it's that love of place that is Oberlatz' passion. "Once in awhile when I'm with guests and the float plane drops them off," he said. "I see the look in their eyes and I remember the first time a float plane dropped me off."

Pursuit of Happiness
Oberlatz said that looking back 10 years to when he started his adventure guiding business, he would never have guessed he'd be doing this, be married and the father of two. Flexibility to create his own schedule is the biggest benefit the business offers his young family. In fact, Oberlatz said, he was on his way to pick up his daughter from school. "I'm living my dream," he added. Oberlatz is not the sort of guy to measure his own success against stacks of hundred dollar bills - he's more a pursuit of happiness kind of guy. "We want to grow it slowly and live our lifestyle," he said. "We help people see a great place in a great way."

While Alaska Alpine Adventures offers trips statewide, Oberlatz said the majority of his expeditions are still within Lake Clark National Park. The company focuses on multi-day trips within Alaska's national parks and wildlife refuges, such as Katmai, Wrangell-St Elias National Park and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Oberlatz said in addition to basics such as how to camp in bear country or how to paddle a kayak, the company's small groups of clients also learn about indigenous cultures and how to travel safely in Alaska's trail-less wilderness. "People want to come away not only having had a great adventure, but also having learned something," he said.

Survey results from the November issue of Adventure Magazine are online at www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure.

Season's Greetings From Alaska Alpine Adventures!

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:45:00 +0000

To our readers, friends and families, we wish you all a safe and happy holidays!

Valdez is on!

info@alaskaalpineadventures.com (dan) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:09:00 +0000

OK Folks - if you ever wondered what it's like to live in Valdez, AK, read this story in the Anchorage Daily News. Valdez has received over 6 feet of snow since Monday! Incredible. Considering that Valdez is situated at sea level, one can only imagine how much snow has piled up at Thompson Pass - which is 20 miles or so and almost 3000' higher than town. And it's only December! This bodes well for our April 8-12 ski trip! If you want to ski in Valdez and the mighty Chugach, and don't mind hiking for your turns (well, we may also consider a heli-bump for one of the days), give me a call or contact us on Facebook. Get yourself to Anchorage, and we'll take care of the rest.

Click here for a link to the ADN article on Valdez!