http://www.packerexpeditions.net/

Packer Expeditions, PO Box 901, Skagway, AK (2024)

04/30/2024

Great trail crew day yesterday on the Laughton Trail. First .5 miles are shoveled to the meadow. Shout out to all the alumni and friends who came out to support us! Packer wouldn't be possible without your support. 🫡🫶🌲🏔

04/17/2024

We are back! Today we spent the day out on trail and got to work getting it ready for the summer season. One day down and we are stoked! Couldn't ask for a better first day in the Laughton Valley!

See if we have availability this summer at packerexpeditions.net

03/04/2024

🌟 Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Packer Expeditions! 🚂 On our Laughton Glacier Expedition you will experience the breathtaking White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, winding through stunning glaciated landscapes. Then, immerse yourself in the wonders of the Tongass National Forest. Hike along the Skagway River and marvel at the awe-inspiring Laughton Glacier. 🏞️ Limited spots available – Reserve now for an unforgettable Alaskan adventure! Packerexpeditions.net/adl

🏔️🚂🥾

02/28/2024

🌟 Exciting news! 🏔 Packer Expeditions is thrilled to announce we are back for limited availabilities in 2024! If you will be in Skagway this summer and want to have the adventure of a lifetime, join us on a trip to the magnificent Laughton Glacier! Come check out our calendar at packerexpeditions.net!

03/08/2021

Skagway's Log Cabin Ski Society hosted an AMAZING cross country ski race this weekend! What could beat some XC skiing on a frozen lake, while lighting a Covid ball on fire?

04/30/2020

Packer Expeditions has teamed up with to join the movement! We hope the days fly by until we can get back to blowing your minds with awesome glaciers, fun trails, and breathtaking paddles. In the mean time, you can support a small guiding company, like us, by visiting https://iwilltravelagain.com/packer-expeditions/ where you can purchase a gift card to be redeemed on a future outing with Packer Expeditions. We can’t wait for the day that we can reunite you with the goofy, smiling faces that make up our incredible guide team. Thank you for all your love and support!
📸: Our fabulous guides

@ Skagway, Alaska

04/23/2020

It will come as no surprise that Packer guides are BIG fans of nature. In fact, quite a few of our guides refer to it as “neature”. During these uncertain times, we are so anxious to be back on the trails, glacier, and lake, showing clients our Alaska backyard that we are head over heels in love with. However, until it is safe to do so, we are thrilled that Mother Nature is getting the rest she deserves. In the mean time, enjoy some of these shots from our “office”. Happy Earth Day 2020 from the Packer crew!
📸: Our fabulous guides

@ Skagway, Alaska

03/19/2020

Ben Woolard dropped us a line for this “Where in the World Wednesday?!”
This is Ben’s first winter in Skagway and he’s absolutely loved it! Despite the challenges of a limited ferry schedule and weather that has both cancelled flights and closed the road, Ben had said, “It's amazing to see the communities come together to donate food and supplies to the those who need it most.” Ben has spent his free time hiking and doing trail work for the Buckwheat Ski Classic, and credited his knowledge gain this winter to the patience of the other volunteers. And that’s what Ben has enjoyed the most this winter and what he truly loves about Skagway: Whether it’s providing help to navigate a difficult situation or just passing on knowledge, you can always find someone willing to lend a hand.
📸: Ben Woolard

@ Skagway, Alaska

03/04/2020

We caught up with lead kayak guide Madeleine Arbuckle for this “Where in the World Wednesday?!”
Madz has spent the last 5 months travelling around New Zealand in a camper van. She spent 6 weeks in the North Island and has since been playing in the mountains on the South Island. She was even hosted for a few nights on the South Island by Packer clients from Summer 2019! Currently, Madz is exploring Bali for two weeks before heading back to New Zealand and eventually home to the Great White North 🇨🇦 to visit her family before returning to Skagway. Madz told us: “After travelling all over Canada, the States, and to nearly 20 countries, I can say that I’ve never found anywhere else like Skagway. It’s quirkinesses, beautiful scenery, and friendly people are hard to beat, there’s just no where else in the world like it! I love that when you return every season you’re greeted with the warmest welcome backs and it just feels like going home.” Come out kayaking with Madz this summer and hear more about her adventures!
📸:

02/26/2020

Randy Nichols dropped us a line on this “Where in the World Wednesday?!” and boy, is he having an exciting winter! He’s returned to Arapahoe Basin in Summit County Colorado for the 4th year, as a member of their ski patrol and snow safety team. Randy spends most days going on avalanche control routes where he’s given the responsibility to throw bombs, yes, those kinds of bombs 💣, to cause avalanches, ensuring guest safety no matter where they ski. Randy also invests his time training his co-workers in high angle rescue, rope skills, and chair evacuation. And if that wasn’t enough, Randy picked up a second job as a medical assistant in Breckinridge. He says it allows him to support his community even more, something that is super important to Randy. Sounds like a full plate to us but Randy ensures us that when he’s not working, he’s enjoying touring and skiing with quite a few of the Packer crew members, who have passed through. Come on out with Packer this summer, and chat with Randy about all things avalanches!
📸: Randy Nichols

02/13/2020

Nicole Kovacs let us know what she’s been up to on this “Where in the World Wednesday?!”
It’s Nicole’s first winter out of Skagway in quite some time and she’s making up for lost time! She bought a truck and built a bed in the back that has made it easier for her to bounce around the Lower 48, visiting friends and family as she goes, and skiing at as many resorts as she possibly can! Most recently she’s been stretching out her hiking legs in the deserts of Utah, getting ready for the upcoming Packer season. Nicole focused on slot canyons, squeezing and climbing her way through. It’s not all playing outside for Nicole, as she’s been “crafting up a storm”! Her jewelry making business, , helps fund her travels. Come out with Packer this summer and Nicole will tell where to find her hand made goodies in town!
📸:

02/05/2020

We are catching up this week with Ken Graham, better known as “Cowboy”, on this “Where in the World Wednesday?!”
Cowboy has had an exciting winter! He traveled to Switzerland with his team where they participated in the Grindewald International Snow Festival, winning first place in both the Judges’ and People’s Choice categories! You can see his award winning snow sculpture pictured above. Cowboy is now back in Skagway, working on the trail for the Buckwheat Ski Classic, set to take place March 7th, and he’ll depart soon for another snow carve completion in Yellowknife. But it’s hasn’t been all snow and work for Cowboy this winter, as he got to enjoy some family time and fun in the sun in both Tennessee and Arizona. Come out with Packer this summer and maybe Cowboy will let you in on some of his snow carve champion secrets!
📸: Ken Graham

01/29/2020

It’s “Where in the World Wednesday?!”
We caught up with Meg Henry, who’s been spending her winter in Frisco, CO. It’s no surprise to us that Meg has taken a lead role at the Snowsports School at Arapahoe Basin, Meg definitely flexed some leadership muscles on the Chilkoot and Laughton Glacier last summer 💪. She spends her days ski instructing and also assists the local youngster ski program for little ones ages 3-6. Meg says: “It’s been such a blast and also very rewarding to work with preschoolers; nothing brings me more joy than helping the little ones learn to ski!” Meg has a love of all things snow and has been spending her free time “shredding a lot of gnar” every chance she gets! What does Meg miss most about Skagway? “Living in the most beautiful place in the world!”, among a laundry list of other things, including hanging with her awesome co-workers. However, it sounds like she doesn’t have to miss them too much as quite a few have already visited her to enjoy that sweet Colorado pow! Come on out with Packer this summer and swap ski stories with Meg!
📸:

01/23/2020

It’s “Where in the World Wednesday?!”
This week we reached out to one of our year round Skagway resident guides, Autumn Roseberry, to find out what she’s been up to this winter.
For the last 3 weeks Autumn has been learning all she can about sustainable off grid housing at an Earthship Biotecture internship. She has spent her days learning carpentry skills, how to build the various components of an Earthship, and how an Earthship works with the sun and earth to stay at a comfortable temperature with no need for additional heating or cooling sources. For Autumn, this isn’t just cool opportunity to learn a new skill as she believes Skagway could greatly benefit from building these types of homes, due to their utilization of “garbage” and Skagway’s lack of recycling capabilities. Once she’s finished learning all she can about Earthships, Autumn will head out on a month long trip thru Japan and South East Asia and then its back to Skagway for another summer of Packer adventures.
📸:

01/15/2020

It’s “Where in the World Wednesday?!” We caught up with Ryan Fitzpatrick, known to most of us as Fitz. He filled us in on what he’s been up to since the Packer season ended:

“Moved back to Jackson WY for the winter with and my dog Tripper. We get to live and work in one of the most awesome places I’ve ever been to. We’re fortunate enough to be snowmobile guiding in Yellowstone National Park and watch Old Faithful erupt every day. I highly recommend visiting Yellowstone in the winter - the crowds are much smaller and it almost feels like you have the whole place to yourself some days.”

Did you get to play in Alaska with Fitz this summer?
📸:

12/23/2019

Packer Expeditions wants you! We are gearing up for our 2020 season and expecting to be busier than ever. We’re looking for the right guides to join our team. Responsibilities would include leading single day kayak and hiking trips, with the potential for multi-day trips throughout the season. All of our guides work all trips and are knowledgeable about the history, flora, and fauna of Skagway, AK. CDL training is available for guides who are interested as well as training for office duties. All interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Feel free to message us on Facebook or Insatagram with any questions!

12/18/2019

One of the most common questions our guides get asked is: “What do you do in the winter?” Every Wednesday from now until our season starts, we’ll be bringing you “Where in the World Wednesday?!”, an update on a featured guide and how they are spending their winter. This week’s featured guide is Josh Colosky!
You can find Josh roaming around Sitka, Alaska this winter. You just can’t keep him inside, as his work day is spent outdoors doing construction. His time off though is all about music as Josh spends his days writing new music for the upcoming Spondonicles album and building guitar amplifiers. Sounds pretty busy but he’s assured he still has plenty of time for “morning forest saunters and cooking big pots of soup.” When asked what he misses about Skagway, Josh replied, “The community of rad people.” We’re sure Skagway misses him too!

11/13/2019

Just like this cutie who was spotted in the Denver Valley this summer, our guides have gone into their own “winter hibernation”. Thank you to all who made 2019 a wonderful season! We can’t wait to adventure with you next year!
📸: John F.

08/03/2019

Things we love to see up at Fraser:
A smiling Ken “Cowboy” Graham and moose!

@ Fraser, British Columbia

08/01/2019

We love guiding when it’s a little bit Alaskan out (read: cloudy and raining) but we also enjoy a nice “suns out, guns out“ kind of day! Especially at Lake Bernard!
📸:

07/17/2019

We always joke that the Denver Valley reminds us of the Forest of Endor from Star Wars. Karissa was clever enough to snap this photo of a Storm Trooper in our “Forest of Endor” when a client brought him along. We think he fits right in!
📸: .hayterade

07/07/2019

Autumn, Meg, and Nikki loved hanging out on the Laughton Glacier all day with Marc from Colorado. Swipe to see a close up of his super sweet T-shirt! We totally agree Marc, that one should never stop exploring!
📸:

@ Skagway, Alaska

07/06/2019

We wanted to take a moment to recognize our incredible guides and for completing the Yukon River Quest, a 444 mile race on the Yukon River. Their team, The Wild Irises, were 32nd overall out of 116 teams and 2nd women’s voyager out of 5 with a time of 57hours 25minutes and 23seconds! They now hold the women’s record for Skagway. We think they are total rock stars! Job well done, ladies!

@ Yukon River Quest

06/18/2019

Happy 25th birthday to 3rd year guide, Ryan, better known as Tumbles! When he’s not guiding,Ryan is attending Kansas University’s School of Law. We wish you a great next trip around the sun, Tumbles! @ Skagway, Alaska

06/13/2019

When was the last time you hung out in a crevasse? Come out on our Laughton Glacier trip and you just might be lucky enough to say you have! And as a bonus, you might be lucky enough to have Karissa or Ashley as your guides!
📸: Ashley Bodin

06/11/2019

Have you met Mads? She’s our rockstar Lead Kayak Guide who just completed her ACA level 2 kayak instructor certification in Haines, AK. She also completed a Level 3 course while over there. You’re guaranteed to have blast when ‘yaking with Mads!

@ Haines, Alaska

06/05/2019

One of our favorite traditions at Packer is every guide must go swimming on their first trip up to the lake to kayak. The lake temperature is currently just above freezing so it was awesome to see rookie guides Bri and Karissa just going for it. Nice job, ladies!
📸: .hayterade

05/27/2019

Did everyone have a good Memorial Day Weekend? Ours was jammed packed with glaciers, sunshine, and helicopters. To say we had a good weekend is an understatement!
📸: and

@ Skagway, Alaska

Packer Expeditions