The Tatshenshini River, rated as one of the world's top five scenic rivers, drains the northwest corner of B.C. and the southwest corner of the Yukon Territory. The river joins the Alsek River just before the Alaska border and continues through the top of the Alaska panhandle to drain into the Pacific Ocean at Dry Bay. This special river valley has been designated as a Provincial Park and achieved World Heritage status, protecting it for generations to come. Shakespeare's assertion that "Man is the measure of all things" could not have been made by anyone who has spent time in Alaska and the Yukon. In this land, man is humbled by the sheer mythic proportions of the landscape. The rivers and the vastness of space were made for Titans to roam and explore; the towering mountains were merely their thrones.
Tatshenshini River Photo Gallery
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Tatshenshini River Expedition Travel Planner
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The Terrain
Our journey will take us through alpine tundra, towering mountains with massive glaciers that often reach into the river and finally out onto the narrow coastal plain. This is a primeval land of the grizzly, the raven and the eagle: wilderness in its purest form. It has always been difficult to visit this remote corner of the world and settlements are few and very far between. The trappers and prospectors who came through in previous centuries endured extreme hardship to travel in the area -many did not survive the harshness. But "The Spell of the Yukon" has always been there and even today, Alaska and the Yukon have a place in the psyche of every adventurous North American.
This trip offers you a way to get completely away from civilization. On the river you will see no cars, no bridges, no wires. You will not hear a telephone or a television. A fax machine will seem as far away as it did 20 years ago. But if you ever thought of this part of the world as empty, a few days on the Tatshenshini will change that impression. Distances between things may be great but the abundance of life that manages to make the most of the short summer and long days will constantly surprise you and you will see why this region has become the largest international wilderness area in the world.
The Rivers
The Tatshenshini drops 1950 feet from Dalton Post, Yukon to Dry Bay, Alaska and the whitewater section lasts approximately 45 minutes with a maximum gradient of 50 feet per mile. The river itself is characterized as Class III but is misleading because of its remoteness. The upper Tat runs highest in June with the spring snowmelt yet the Alsek peaks in early July because of melting glaciers. The hotter the weather, the longer the high water will hold, leaving medium to moderate levels for September.
Cultural Notes
Our put in point at Dalton Post is known to the First Nations as Sha’washe, which hosted one of the region’s largest fishing communities. The Tatshenshini River (called the Alsach before the white man’s arrival) was also a travel route for the Southern Tutchone and Klingit peoples. The Southern Tutchone used to travel over 100 miles on foot to harvest the rivers’ plentiful salmon.
Traditionally the fish were gaffed, caught in fish wheels or v-shaped fish traps, split cleaned and dried on racks. Outsiders did not enter the area until the late 19th century. The recently signed Yukon Land Claim Agreement recognizes the historic and cultural importance of the Tatshenshini to the Champagne and Aisik First Nations. This historic agreement enables the aboriginal peoples to develop a management plan to preserve and protect the region.
Professional Guides Services
Our river guides are as impressive as the scenery and passionate about their work. Seasoned professionals, they are delighted to pass on their knowledge and skills. As university and college graduates, they have strong backgrounds in natural history, geology and anthropology. They also have knowledge of the local region and its folklore. Part chef, part naturalist, trained in wilderness first aid and professionally certified to the highest provincial level, our guides are eager to please and will ensure you have a memorable experience.
Equipment
We utilize state-of-the-art self-bailing rafts. The rafts have been designed with center mount oar rigs to allow participants to just soak up the views. For those unfamiliar with self-bailing boats, the benefits are revolutionary. As water enters the boat, it collects on the inflated floor then drains out through grommet holes along each side.
Weather
August and September are the driest months of the year so be prepared for the best weather the North has to offer. We will still experience the North’s long hours of daylight but these departures may also witness the dramatic northern lights. There is no guarantee against a few days of overcast weather so be prepared for occasional showers or even a dusting of snow.
Wildlife and Flora
The valley of the Tatshenshini is a fantastic area for viewing wildlife. Wildlife sightings have included grizzly and black bear, moose, Dall sheep, mountain goat and wolf. Indigenous species also include coyote, lynx, marten and red fox. On the open country we are quite likely to see beaver, arctic ground squirrel and hoary marmot. Feeding on the salmon are many breeding pairs of bald eagles. The occasional golden eagle can also be seen soaring over the canyons of the upper Tat. A variety of hawks and the rare peregrine falcon also call this river valley home. Canada geese and the fish eating merganser are found along the river; while gulls and arctic terns are often seen as well.
While hiking we may come across ptarmigan and many varieties of songbirds. The giant spring or king salmon, coho, sockeye and chum salmon all spawn in the Tatshenshini and its tributaries while rainbow trout and char populate the upper river. Occasionally mosquitoes may be encountered but they are an infrequent annoyance later in the season. The mountain slopes are forested with hemlock, fir and spruce. Balsam, poplar, and cottonwood are found on the alluvial fans and river terraces, while wildflowers such as dwarf fireweed and cinquefoil grace the river's edge. The alpine meadows are covered with wildflowers such as moss campion and spotted saxifrage.
Fishing
The Tatshenshini-Alsek is one of the North’s most prolific salmon habitats and commercial fisheries. It has massive sockeye salmon runs and is a spawning ground for spring and coho salmon. However, because of the glacial run-off from the world’s largest non-polar ice fields, the fishing is not great. If you plan on staying in the Yukon before or after your expedition, there are a number of wonderful char, grayling and trout fisheries in the region. We suggest you bring a rod with a case and the smallest of tackle boxes with the appropriate lures or flies.
Personal Preparation
No previous river experience is required. Your guides will give you an orientation to safe rafting and expedition practices on the first day and teach you all the basic skills that you’ll require to enjoy the trip. Our prime consideration is to provide you with a trip that is as safe and comfortable as possible while still maintaining the integrity of a wilderness experience. A high level of fitness is not a prerequisite for participation as our trips can be as relaxing or challenging, as you like; however, regular exercise before any outdoor experience will certainly add to your enjoyment. All participants will be required to complete a medical questionnaire prior to departure.
Ecological Sentiment
We are committed to the preservation of North America’s wilderness habitat. Our excursions are designed to promote an understanding of the delicate ecosystems that make our province unique while preserving their fundamental integrity. We ask participants to share our concern for the environment by practicing low impact touring in this sensitive area. ROAM operates on a “no trace” policy meaning we travel in a self-contained manner, carrying in what we require and carrying out all garbage and human waste. We believe the survival of the natural environment and the wildlife it supports depends on establishing an economy beyond simple resource harvesting. Our goal is to immerse our clients in vast natural beauty that, in turn, supports eco-tourism as a viable, economic choice.
Safety and Personal Responsibility
Expedition rafting, like everything else, is a very safe and enjoyable sport if done properly and professionally. Safety is our utmost concern and a satellite phone will be carried in case of any emergencies. It is important however, that each expedition member realize that there are inherent risks involved in river rafting, as there are in many other outdoor activities. Individuals must be responsible for their own actions and accountable for their own decisions. To acknowledge this assumption of risk, each expedition member is required to read, understand and sign an acknowledgement of risk and release form. We will provide you with all the information you require to make your decision about joining us or taking part in any specific activity. We will support any decision made by expedition members to opt out of any activity that they are concerned about or feel is beyond their capabilities.
Registration
Due to the small group size and limited departure dates, we encourage participants to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. In order to confirm your space on the trip, we only require a $500 non-refundable deposit. Upon receipt of deposit, we will send you a letter of confirmation, pre-departure information, equipment list, medical questionnaire and a release form. The latter two items should be returned to our office with the balance of payment due 90 days prior to departure. All payments are non-refundable so we recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance at the time of deposit. Trips begin and end in Whitehorse, Yukon.
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