Down the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers. A private trip, with just seven fearless rafters adrift on the icy waters in two rafts, camping out in the wilderness. From left, our friends David Russell, Larry Anderson, Kathy Shelby, me, Mike, Deborah Hill and Andy Wheelright.

The first day had class 3 rapids, the rest of the 6 day trip was class 1 and 2 rapids, but with huge consequences, due to the speed of the current and the low water temperature. All in all 5 out of the 7 of us got wet before the trip was over with a couple of close calls. The water is grey with silt, making it very difficult to judge the depth through the braided river channels. It was easy to bottom out in the boats, requiring the guys to step into knee deep muck to push the boats along.
The rivers begin in British Columbia, and flow to the gulf of Alaska along rugged canyons, carving through 15,000 ft. mountains with glacier filled valleys. Imagine being at sea level, and lookin up at mountains like that??
Wow – what campgrounds! We never saw another soul for 6 nights of camping, with bear, moose and elk tracks all around our tents. We drank crystal clear water that dripped from glaciers, had great campfires, awesome food.


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