Portage  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  60.881, -148.9101 Map Page Views:  2,911. Good page?    Administrators:  Jared LaVacque, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  R Squared on May 1, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Lots of bears in Portage

Description 

Portage River is about a forty five minute to hour long drive from Anchorage. It is right past Girdwood. Portage often has warmer temps than other ice climbing areas, so conditions here might not always be the best. The climbs range from single pitch to multipitch climbs. Climbs up to WI6 and mixed conditions.

Getting There 

Drive South on the Seward Highway past Girdwood, you will see signs on the road talking about the Portage Glacier. Turn there. The climbs will be on the left and primarly the right side of the road. Ski or hike to all of the climbs. Beware of avalanche conditions.

The Classics

Featured Route For Portage

Mt. Byron, West Ridge Steep Snow X  AK : Anchorage & South Central I... : Portage

Mt. Byron is one of the most beautiful roadside peaks in Alaska. The crux is hitting the weather and route conditions just right. Portage valley is one of the wettest, snowiest places in the world. Park at the Byron Glacier TH. Mt. Byron is the prominent peak at the head of the valley. Take care on the approach, this area is a huge terrain trap for avi's. If you survive the terrain trap, gain a small hanging glacier on the west side of the valley and then boot pack/scramble up to the col of the ...[more]   Browse More Classics in AK