[debster48pagosa]

We plan to join a non-commercial trip with the takeout at Dry Bay being July 28th. It will be a 10 day trip. Can anyone offer good advice? What will the water level be like this time of year? My husband & I are long-time kayakers but will be manning a rented raft for this trip. Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[debster48pagosa]

We did a similar time frame trip many years ago, some real whitewater first day on the Tat couple ledgy rapids. Water hard to read. After that pretty easy some wood lots of channel reading easy to get stuck if not on your toes. Good guidebook called The Complete Guide to the Tatshenshini River by Lyman, Ordonez and Speaks. We laid over Walker Glacier and Alsek Lake. You'll want an excellent camera mind boggling scenery. One of the coolest camps is at the confluence with Alsek. Leave some extra time at dry bay flights can be delayed. Have fun it is well worth the drive. I echo the rain gear comment, we had good weather but when it did rain watch out! Also the camera, from the fireweed to the Glaciers it is unbelievable.

Thank you for your input!

 

[debster48pagosa]

It is a fun trip- done it twice, also 10 day trips. You need good rain gear! August is usually the rainiest month in AK and July is the warm up session. You need good rain gear!

This page provides current and historical water levels, and other data. It is near the Dry Bay takeout point.

USGS Current Conditions for USGS 15129120 ALSEK R AT DRY BAY NR YAKUTAT AK

Most people go to Haines to rent their rafts and equipment and get shuttled from there to the start point in Canada. Canadian rentals are available too. You'll need your passports or passcards.

The expensive part of the trip is the pickup flight. The best option is Yakutat Coastal Airways. Hans has a turbine Otter, which works great for supporting Tat trips. It works best if part of the group goes back to Haines with the gear. If you have more than half a dozen people and 2 rafts, some will need to go back to Yakutat with Hans. He picks up the Haines bound people and gear first, then picks up the Yakutat folks on his way home. Yakutat is actually a much better place to get a connecting flight (than Haines) since AK Airlines flies a 737 through Yakutat every day.

Alaska Charter Flights and Flying Service - Yakutat Coastal Airlines

We had this guide book, which was helpful. Someone else brought it- don't know what they paid for it but the price on Amazon is now $138!!!

Amazon.com

Did I mention that you need good rain gear? ⛈☔

Good luck!

Thank you for your efforts in providing me w/ this information!

 

[debster48pagosa]

Good advice in the above. Don't cut it too close on timing, have a cushion for flight delays. We had a huge amount of rain and flights were delayed out of Dry Bay. Alsek Lake rose 3 feet in 24 hours. If the weather is bad, you may not be able to get to Haines for several days.

Scout the entrance to Alsek Lake to see what entry is open, the scout is on a talus slope upstream of the entrance to the lake, binoculars may be helpful.

Take a good tent, you may spend quite a bit of time in it. A head net at a minimum or my favorite for the arctic, The Original Bug Shirt. Muck boots or similar will make your life easier. Most of the whitewater is on the first day in the canyon section, it can be pretty busy depending on water level. Be bear aware, bear spray is a good idea.

You check in with Canadian border control and pre check back into the US on the way to the put in. Check the requirements for entry into Canada as some have encountered problems due to prior legal issues in the US.

It's a good trip but be prepared for just about any kind of weather conditions. We had rain and fog, only two days of sun in 10 days. Be sure you know where the takeout is at Dry Bay, you don't want to miss it, or you will be carrying your gear.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[debster48pagosa]

The Russ Lyman guidebook is a bit dated, and depending on where you are I would be happy to let you read my book.
As an alternative, I created an updated guidebook on the Tatshenshini / Alsek system which includes illustrations, humor and some experiences of note. Hit me up if you are interested, I will not be charging $138!
Confirming dsrtrat re: tent, boots, Drybay. There are plenty of key items to know for your first trip. The moving ice is significant as icebergs are traveling with you in the main current of the Alsek and will ground onto gravel bars and stand up out of the river bed quickly creating interesting hazards. We had some inside info from local biologists and guides which really helped, so if you know anyone in Haines get on the phone. HTH!

Thank you for this information!

 

[debster48pagosa]

Thanks for all your inputs, very helpful!

OK, I have another question. Can anyone recommend a specific ferry service from Juneau airport to Haines? And, once in Haines, where should we stay? We will get there a couple days ahead of our put-in date for the Tat, which is July 18th. Thanks in advance!

 

[debster48pagosa]

Thank you!

 

[debster48pagosa]

Thank you so much for your information, it is very helpful!

 

[debster48pagosa]

The ferry terminal is is in Auke Bay less than six miles from the airport. I am floating the Tat in June. Most of the group is flying into Juneau and staying near the airport. Ferries don't run every day from Juneau to Haines so you need to check the schedule. My group is taking one that leaves Auke Bay at 7:00 am and gets to Haines at 11:00 am the day before we launch .

That is good to know, thanks!

 

[debster48pagosa]

Wadeinthewater...I like your signature, ha! Once you get back from the Tat, perhaps you could share any information you deem important with me! Thanks in advance! Also, will the group flying into Juneau stick around that area after the river trip?

 

[debster48pagosa]

That would be great, thank you! Yes, I agree...it would suck to have a job! Steve & I are retired. You will be driving near there or do you live in Alaska? I think we will stay in Haines awhile after the trip. Wish we had a vehicle but we are coming from SW CO.

 

[debster48pagosa]

The Russ Lyman guidebook is a bit dated, and depending on where you are I would be happy to let you read my book.
As an alternative, I created an updated guidebook on the Tatshenshini / Alsek system which includes illustrations, humor and some experiences of note. Hit me up if you are interested, I will not be charging $138!
Confirming dsrtrat re: tent, boots, Drybay. There are plenty of key items to know for your first trip. The moving ice is significant as icebergs are traveling with you in the main current of the Alsek and will ground onto gravel bars and stand up out of the river bed quickly creating interesting hazards. We had some inside info from local biologists and guides which really helped, so if you know anyone in Haines get on the phone. HTH!

I am interested in your updated guidebook!

 

[debster48pagosa]

I would love to hear how your trip went, thanks!