Exploring the Tatshenshini & Alsek Rivers

In May 2014 two recent Colorado College grads and I had the opportunity to take a 12-day inflatable kayak trip down the Tatshenshini, with the assistance of a school Ritt Kellogg grant. This river trip, starting at Dalton Post in the Yukon, and ending at Dry Bay, AK winds through an immensely beautiful landscape.

The Tatshenshini starts as a small stream, and the river reaches nearly a mile wide when it flows past the confluence with the Alsek River. Downstream of the confluence glaciers surround the river , icebergs choke a crucial lake crossing, and bald eagles fly high in the sky scanning for prey. Canoe & Kayak published a couple articles on the experience:

Film Debut: Tatshenshini / Bucket List: A Case for the Inflatable Kayak / Light & Cheap on the Tat

Explore below for the resulting film and photographs from the trip to experience a small taste of the beauty of this classic river trip. Make sure to watch the video in HD!

Note: please allow a little time for the photo gallery below to load. You won't be disappointed!

Zane Randell IK Tatshenshini

Zane taking in our first view of the mountains as the Tatshenshini bends around a turn.

Tatshenshini Mountains

Floating just downstream of a hunting cabin.

British Columbia Landscape

Looking at a map while hiking above the valley bottom.

Sam Seiniger Tatshenshini

Floating through a spectacular, cool landscape

Bald Eagle Tatshenshini

A bald eagle soaring high above us.

Dwarfed

A small IK below a huge mountain rising from the river.

Fog

Fog clears across a rocky peak across from camp.

Sunset

A small sunset before the sunlight continues through the Alaskan night.

Downstream

Paddling with the swift currents of the Tatshenshini.

Windy Alsek Confluence

Walking around the confluence with the Alsek River. Winds battered the rocky bars relentlessly.

Bear Paw Print in Snow

Zane compares his hand to that of a grizzly print in the snow.

Walker Glacier Swimming

A quick dip in the Walker Glacier.

Hikers on Walker Glacier

Hopping around the Walker Glacier.

Portage

Pulling IKs through the ice-choked Alsek Lake.

Vast Land

A view of Alsek Lake from Gateway Knob. Current flows right into icebergs.

End of Rain

Celebrating the end of 48 hours of rain at Alsek Lake.

King Salmon Dinner

A seal-bitten salmon that a fisherman gave us for dinner on our last night in Dry Bay, AK.

Icejam

An aerial view of the glacier which pushes into Alsek Lake.

Alaskan Peaks

Mountains poking above the clouds during our bush plane flight.

Pristine Water

Aqua water atop a snowfield as seen from the air.

Jagged Alaskan Peak

There's a reason Alaska is known for its ski lines.

Planning A Trip?
I'd highly recommend the Tatshenhini River Guide. Purchase it below from Amazon to help support the site.

Any questions? Planning a trip like this? I'd love to share some advice and wisdom, just shoot me an email.

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