Trip Planner

weather

what to wear

transportation

suggested reading

What about weather?

Conditions continually shift in our maritime coastal climate. The beauty changes with the weather and we literally take it in stride.

In Southeast Alaska, summer temperatures can reach into the 60's and low 70's, however, our averages reflect the changeable nature of our weather. Here is an idea of what to expect regarding average temperatures, rainfall, and hours of daylight.

 

What should I Wear?

Southeast Alaska is blanketed in lush temperate rainforest. Here we play rain or shine so being prepared means making the most of your trip in comfort.

Rainwear:
Good quality breathable materials are essential. Rain jacket, rain pants, and waterproof hood or hat are all necessary items.

You don't need to spend a lot of money on expedition quality gear. Quality lightweight waterproof gear that can be used layered is something most of us can make use of in our home environments.

Warmth:
Dressing in layers is the key. Include a with a warm wicking under layer, wool or fleece outer garments, as well as a long and short sleeve tee shirt for those warmer days. This will allow you the flexibility to adapt to variable weather conditions. Don’t forget extra socks, a hat, and gloves.

Temperatures around glaciers can be up to 20 degrees colder than other areas so be prepared in order to fully enjoy that awesome up-close experience.

Footwear:
Lightweight waterproof or water resistant hiking boots or shoes are fine for most activities. One can't-be-beat alternative is a pair of Wellington style rubber boots for beach combing and climbing in and out of boats.

Alaskans wear Extra-Tufs boots also known as “southeast sneakers”.

What About Transportation?

Wrangell is easy to get to via Alaska Airlines daily jet service or via Alaska Marine Highway or the Inter Island ferry system.

Once you have arrived in Wrangell, all transportation in your itinerary is included. We contract with the most experienced US Coast Guard licensed captians, with excellent standards of safety and professionalism.
 

Suggested reading

Know before you go!

Part of the fun of a trip is the preparation. To further enjoy and understand this unique country, its flora and fauna, and the Alaskan Lifestyle you may like to enjoy something from our suggested reading list. We have included non-fiction guides, fiction & essays, and kids books.

Non-fiction Guides
• The Nature of Southeast Alaska: A Guide to Plants, Animals, and Habitats by Rita M. O'Clair, Robert H. Armstrong and Illustrated by Richard Carstensen.
  The Nature of Southeast Alaska takes you beyond the usual field or nature guide. This book contains comprehensive descriptions of native mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates, fungi, plants and habitats. The liberal use of graphs, photographs, drawings and charts help explain these diverse interactive ecosystems that occur in our part of the state. Included are a bibliography, list of common (and not so common) names and an index.


Fireweed

• Discovering Wild Plants: Alaska, Western Canada, the Northwes by Janice F. Schofield
  A compilation of explicit botanical descriptions, New and Old World folk history, harvest and habitat information, and recipes. Arranged by habitat (bog, beach...). Covers 149 plants native to Alaska, western Canada, Washington, Oregon, and northern California. Illustrated with some 200 good color plates, and dozens of excellent line drawings by Richard W. Tyler.
• Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska, Second Edition by Kate Wynn
  Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska is the only book that exclusively covers all 29 marine mammal species of Alaska. Each whale, porpoise, dolphin, seal, sea lion, walrus, sea otter, and polar bear is described and illustrated. Color photos and surface profile drawings show all Alaska marine mammals and compare similar species, and color range maps show distribution. Mammal characteristics and descriptions are presented in a format that allows fast, accurate identification at sea. The 80-page, richly illustrated book is printed on durable water resistant paper, and is spiral bound to give years of service outdoors and in the office, classroom, and home. The second edition has text updates and a few new photos.

• Guide to the Birds of Alaska by Robert H. Armstrong
  This is the comprehensive guide to all 443 species of Alaskan birds. Detailed descriptions of field marks, distribution, behavior, voice and habitat, make this a must for birders who plan to visit Alaska. Full-color photographs of the regularly occurring bird species, with a list of casual and incidental visitors to our state. Includes biogeographic region maps, checklist, reading list and index.

Fiction & Essays
• The Book of the Tongass edited by Carolyn Servid and Donald Snow
  Reading this compilation of essays and stories by nature writers, biologists, naturalists, journalists and Native Elders lends perspective to the complicated issues facing communities, human and otherwise. Carolyn Servid and Don Snow have brought the Tongass to life with a richness that almost matches the forest itself. Reading this book, one can’t help but care about this majestic land, but the caring will be well-informed and solidly grounded. ISBN # 1-57131-226-9
• Not Really an Alaskan Mountain Man by Doug Fine
  Well written and lighthearted storytelling. East Coast big-city guy, world traveler, journalist, and otherwise politically savvy fellow settles down in rural Alaska where men are many and manly and women with survival skills are good to count among your friends. Doug Fine’s humorous take on the quest to procure food, heat, and shelter will keep you laughing and leave you wondering how he survived to write about it. ISBN # O-88240-590-X

• The Way Winter Comes
  by Sherry Simpson
  Author Sherry Simpson’s writing captures the essence of Alaska through her insightful true stories about life. Living the sometimes harsh realities of Alaska, she relates her personal experiences with uncommon clarity, respect, and thoughtfully beautiful language. ISBN # 1-57061-146-7
• Breakup by Dana Stabenow
  This is one in a series of the Kate Shugak mysteries by this Alaskan author. Although not the first in the series, the humor and circumstance of this particular episode covers a wide variety of quirky incidents and is an enjoyable read if you don’t take it too seriously. A fine writer, Dana has the ability to portray details that bring the story to life as a uniquely Alaskan tale. ISBN # 0-425-1621-3

Kids Books

PRE-SCHOOL

• Raven and the River by Nancy White Carlstrom
  The beauty and majesty of nature as seen from the eyes of Raven and brought to life in this dramatic and richly descriptive picture book.
• Alaska’s 3 Bears by Shannon Cartwright
  Young book lovers will enjoy this educational romp with Alaska’s 3 bears in search of home and habitat. Nicely illustrated with interesting sidebars about other Alaska wildlife.

YOUNG READERS
• Seldovia Sam and the Blueberry Bear by Susan Woodward Springer
  Come along with Sam on another adventure in his natural playground called Alaska. With a black bear in the berry patch, there’s plenty of excitement to go around, and plenty for Sam to write about for the school essay contest.

YOUNG TEEN READERS
• Kavik the Wolf Dog by Walt Morey
  By the author of Gentle Ben, young dog lovers will find this an interesting and rapidly moving human story. The descriptions are so picturesque and clear that readers learn a great deal about life in the far North and about animal traits and habits.
• Leaving Protection by Will Hobbs
  This is the story of a 16 year old boy and his adventures fishing the open ocean for king salmon on a commercial troller. Mystery and high drama with the Russian sea captain and violent storms put Robbie’s courage and wits to the ultimate test.