Helicopter Glacier Trek

$440.00 per person

SCHEDULE:  Multiple departures daily.
DURATION:  Approximately 4.25 hours including 
transportation to heliport, safety briefing and gearing up, helicopter 
flight and a 2-hour hike on the glacier.
DESCRIPTION:  A scenic flightseeing tour by helicopter combined with a 2 hour guided trek on a glacier.

Description

Join our experienced and energetic mountaineering guides on a rugged hike through the ever-changing glacial icescape.
On this 2-hour trek, there is an early emphasis on learning the proper use of the mountaineering gear and understanding the glacier features and hazards so that more remote areas of the glacier can be accessed during the trek. You will experience physical activity interspersed with detailed explanations of the glacier envirornment and surrounding area. Participants should be comfortable hiking approximately two miles over uneven and sometimes steep terrain. No previous experience is necessary but bring your camera and an appetite for adventure.

ABILITY: No experience required. This trip requires physical activity. Participants should be in good physical condition.

MINIMUM AGE: 12 years

DURATION: Approximately 4 1/4 hours including transportation to heliport, safety briefing and gearing up, helicopter flight and a 2-hour hike on the glacier.

NorthStar tours are operated under permit with the U.S. Forest Service in the Tongass National Forest.

Landing sites will be selected depending on various weather and glacier conditions. Clients may visit any of the following glaciers in the Juneau Icefield: Mendenhall, Taku, Norris, Herbert, Gilkey, Battle or Thiel.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO…

ABILITY: No experience required. This trip requires extended physical activity. Participants should be in good physical condition.

MINIMUM AGE: 15 years

DURATION: Approximately 5 1/4 hours including transportation to heliport, safety briefing and gearing up, helicpter flight and a 3-hour hike on the glacier.

NorthStar tours are operated under permit with the U.S. Forest Service in the Tongass National Forest.

Landing sites are selected depending on various weather and glacier conditions. Clients may visit any of the following glaciers in the Juneau Icefield: Mendenhall, Taku, Norris, Herbert, Gilkey, Battle or Thiel.

WHAT TO BRING: Regardless of the apparent weather conditions, we recommend dressing in layers. It is usually 10 degrees colder on the glacier than in town. Please include the following items as you prepare for your trip:
    •    Sunglasses
    •    Camera
    •    Film
    •    Battery
    •    Long Pants
    •    Mid-height Athletic Socks

LANDING SITES: Landing sites will be selected depending on various weather and galcier conditions. Clients may visit any of the following glaciers in the Juneau Icefield: Mendenhall, Taku, Norris, Herbert, Gilkey, Battle or Theil. All NorthStar tours are operated under permit with the U.S. Forest Service in the Tongass National Forest.

PASSENGER WEIGHT POLICY: Passengers weighing 250 lbs. or more will be allocated additional space in the helicopter and will be required to pay a surcharge at the time of booking.

All trips are conducted in small groups to facilitate an informative and in-depth glacier experience. Appropriate mountaineering gear is provided for each level of trekking and no previous mountaineering experience is necessary.

Each of the treks includes approximately 30 minutes of flight time in an A-Star helicopter to take you to and from your glacier landing site. On the way, the breathtaking views of the enormous Juneau Icefield and the surrounding untouched wilderness are awe-inspiring. As your helicopter flight takes you from sea level up above the temperate rainforest, your knowledgeable pilot will point out highlights, such as the rare and unique opportunity to clearly view the diverse landscape of ocean, temperate rainforest and ice all in one glance.

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED:
    •    Rain and wind-proof jacket and pants
    •    Hard shell mountaineering boots
    •    Pack with tissues, water and granola bar
    •    Trekking pole or ice axe
    •    Gloves
    •    Crampons
    •    Level 2 and 3 treks also utilize gaitors, helmet and a harness with a carabiner.

ALL TRIPS PROVIDE:
    •    Time on the glacier to explore and learn
    •    Proper equipment to safely and effectively move around the glacier surface
    •    knowledgeable, experienced guides to teach you about the glacier environment and how to use the mountaineering equipment.

Each level of trek varies in the amount of time on the glacier and the level of physical activity involved.