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recommendations for Alaska

Original Post
J D · · SC · Joined May 2017 · Points: 25

I'm a new climber as of this past spring. My wife just surprised me with telling me that she wants to give us a trip to Alaska next year for my 40th! She doesn't climb. So the trip is not a "climbing trip" but I will be able to have a day to climb. I'm 4 hours from climbing where I live so I've only been out a few times but have built enough gear to top rope and do some sport and a little trad. Climbing 5.7 as of right now but hope to push that a good bit up before this trip. Together we want to see whales, see the northern lights, rock climb, and summit something in a glacier like area that she would be able to do, class 4 maybe.

Looking for fall time to go out there. What's everyone's recommendations for climbing and going to a glacier type area?

TIA 

Ryan Pfleger · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 25

It rains a lot and there isn't much rock climbing, or are you thinking a snow route? There are a bunch of humpback whales in Southeast AK in the summer. Not sure how long they stick around. I have been impressed by the amount of rock there (Misty Fjords!), the problem is the weather.

J D · · SC · Joined May 2017 · Points: 25
Ryan Pfleger wrote: It rains a lot and there isn't much rock climbing, or are you thinking a snow route? There are a bunch of humpback whales in Southeast AK in the summer. Not sure how long they stick around. I have been impressed by the amount of rock there (Misty Fjords!), the problem is the weather.

Yeah, we read that September can be the wettest or the bestest depending on weather. I would like to rock climb with ice and or snow mixed in or around for the experience. Not too picky. options are open for ideas. I also would like a snow topped summit, but it would need to be do-able for her and not an overnight.She doesn't do climbing and is worried about her asthma in the cold. She backpacks with me but prefers warmer months because of that issue. She won't go with me late fall to early spring whenever a head out. And that's usually North Carolina area. lol 

Nick Baker · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 91

Hatcher pass is the best easily accessible climbing and hiking in South Central ak..  It may or may not be getting snowed on when you get here.   The Seward highy should offer reasonable rock climbing options still in Sept. I suggest picking up a copy of the guidebook by Kelsey Gray.    As for a day hike peak with class 3 scrambling and glaciers... There is not really a good option for anything like that I know of that would be safe for your wife unless she has lots of experience and none are really reasonable single day events.   Split the two up.  A hike up rainbow peak offers some easy 3rd class and great views in a 4-6 hr hike.   Matanuska glacier can offer a great opportunity to hike around a glacier in a reasonably safe setting.

J D · · SC · Joined May 2017 · Points: 25

Thanks. I'll look into all of those

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Pacific Northwest
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