Compare Tatshenshini River Rafting by O.A.R.S

Day 1

We depart in the morning for the 2 ½ hour drive to the put-in at Dalton Post. From Whitehorse, we head north on the Alaska Highway to Haines Junction, and then west along the Haines Road to the Dalton Post turn off. At this old abandoned trading post, we'll meet the other guides, load the rafts and leave civilization behind us.  This first day we run a number of lively Class III rapids through the gorge, then emerge a few hours later into a wide open valley to see our first views of the mountains with their hanging glaciers. Tonight we'll set up camp at Silver Creek.

Days 2 & 3

The river slows down as we float through this incredible valley. Entering British Columbia, we meander through lush landscape and the home of a variety of birds, moose and beaver. The mountains to the southwest seem to get larger as we pass the river terraces, keeping a watchful eye out for the elusive blue bear, grizzly, mountain goat and wolf. Various tributaries double the size of the river and every turn produces a fantastic panoramic view. We spend two days stationed near Sediments Creek, where we can hike and explore the alpine region’s most diverse ecosystem.

Days 4 & 5

We'll continue down the Tat and stop for lunch at O'Connor Creek. Every day the scenery becomes more spectacular; mountains rise to 8,000 feet and glaciers hang from every mountainside. The river valley continues to widen as we reach our camp near the confluence with the Alsek River. Here there are great hiking opportunities along the river terraces where wildflowers carpet the ground.

Days 6 & 7

We join the mighty Alsek River flowing from the north as we travel through braided channels. The river seems to narrow as the mountains reach for the sky. A 360-degree look will reveal over 50 glaciers as we near our camp at Walker Glacier. We marvel at the crevasses and hike onto massive moraines. Around the campfire, we'll enjoy a beverage with 10,000 year-old ice, collected from the glacier earlier this day.

Days 8 & 9

Cutting through the Brabazon Range, we pass the massive Novatak Glacier, which is the tip of one of the largest ice fields outside of the polar regions. To the south, 15,300-foot Mount Fairweather, the fourth highest mountain on the continent, dwarfs our very existence. Toward the end of day nine, we set up camp on the spit that separates the Alsek River from Alsek Lake, a five kilometer long lake located at the bottom of the massive Alsek Glacier. If time allows, we will paddle toward the glacier and watch as giant pieces of the ice calve-off with a thunderous roar and form icebergs in the lake. Our view from camp is one of the most spectacular anywhere on earth.

Day 10

Today we’ll float through the icebergs of Alsek Lake as we make our way south of the Gateway Knob. Cruising in and out of the ice is exhilarating and provides fantastic photographic opportunities as we continue to witness giant pieces of ice calve-off the glacier. We camp again tonight on the lake.

Day 11

After breaking camp, we'll float the last miles down to the airstrip at Dry Bay on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Here we disembark, break down the rafts and board the plane for a spectacular flight over the mountains and back to Whitehorse. Once back in civilization, it's off to the hotel and a well-deserved hot shower. Tonight, we can get together for a last toast to the Tatshenshini and plan our next adventure together before we head for home tomorrow.