Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get go Haines, Alaska?
The easiest way to get to Haines is from Juneau, the state capital. Alaska Airlines has daily scheduled flights from Seattle; flight time is about 1.5 hours. From Juneau, we recommend taking a ferry to Haines on the Alaska Marine Highway System. This trip takes about 4 hours. Sailings are typically everyday in the summer months. The ferry is a great way to get a feel for the area and introduction to Alaska.
Flights and Ferries often can be difficult to line up in the same day, so you may need to spend the night in Juneau before catching an early morning ferry.
Ferry Service:
(800) 526-6731, Haines (907) 766-2111. http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.shtml
Air Service:
Alaska Airlines provides service from Seattle to Juneau. www.alaskaairlines.com
(800) 252-7522
Where should we stay in Juneau while in transit?
There are a variety of lodging options in Juneau. Most hotels offer free shuttle services between the airport and the ferry terminal. Here are two different options that have worked well for other troops.
Super 8 Motel – http://www.super8.com/hotels/alaska/juneau/super-8-juneau/hotel-overview
Drift wood lodge – http://www.driftwoodalaska.com/
When should we arrive for our high adventure program?
We ask that you arrive sometime the day before your trip starts. This will enable us to go through gear checks and prepare for an early departure on the first day of your High Adventure. If you are unable to schedule your travel to arrive the evening before, please contact us and we will be happy to make other arrangements.
Will we be met upon arrival in Haines?
We will meet you upon arrival in Haines and provide transportation out to the Base. On the way to base, we’ll talk about Haines, and give a town tour of some of the highlights.
Will we need passports?
Passports are required for most itineraries. Haines is situated just a short trip from the Canadian border and almost all groups will pass through U.S. Customs and Border Protection during their Alaska Adventure. Some other forms of I.D. can be accepted, however passports will ensure a smooth and quick process. See this link for more info about crossing the border with minors under the age of 16. Please check with us if any group member intends to travel with a document other than a passport.
How big is the town of Haines?
Haines has about 2500 people. It is relatively spread out, and has a small downtown area. Here is a link to some maps of Haines: http://hainesak.com/maps
How can I customize an itinerary specific to my troop?
Our office team has a depth of experience in organizing incredible adventure programs for all variety of scout troops. Additionally, they are experienced guides themselves. Just contact our office, and we can set up a unique program to best fit your troop.
What is the minimum and/or maximum group sizes?
Our minimum group size is 6. Our maximum group size is 40. With larger groups, we may look to break up into smaller groups to maximize our time out on adventures.
How do you get fresh water on trips?
All water comes from streams or glacial melt and will be treated with iodine or boiled for purification. There is no shortage of pristine drinkable water in this area of Alask, but all water is treated.
Can we store extra clothes and bags at Base while we are out on an adventure?
Any Extra baggage can be stored onsite at the Base between High Adventure portions.
What facilities are at the Base?
The Base can accommodate over 40 scouts at a time. There are 2 large shower houses (boys and girls), as well as a separate shower and bathroom for leaders. There is a cabin that we utilize for meals, food storage and cooking, and a covered camp fire pavilion that is great for hanging out in the evenings. There is a large area for tents, and scouts stay in tents while at the Base.
Where is the Base located in relation to town?
The Base is located about 3 miles outside of town, south along the Haines Peninsula. It is in a pristine, remote location in a forested area.
Are there other camping options closer to town?
We are happy to arrange custom lodging/camping arrangements if you are looking for something closer to town with more amenities nearby. This doesn’t affect the daily price.
Who will be staying with us at the base?
We always have a Chilkoot High Adventure Base representative out with your troop at the base. They help facilitate meals, transportation and safety on site.
What kind of wildlife will we see?
This depends in part on which activities are chosen, and their duration. We’ll typically see Dall Porpoise, Humpbacks, Stellar Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and more. We also may spot Grizzly Bears, Orcas or Moose.
Who will our leaders/guides be?
The instructors and guides at Chilkoot High Adventure Base are professionals. They are special individuals who have a passion for being in the wilderness environment. They bring a wealth of experience from years of guiding throughout Alaska and the world to every course, and they genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge. Their skill and positive attitudes insure scouts a great experience during their Chilkoot High Adventure Base.
How bad are the mosquitos?
Generally, the areas where we’ll be going, the mosquitos aren’t bad. It does vary with the weather. Our part of Alaska isn’t nearly as bad as areas in the interior such as Fairbanks and Anchorage.
What temperatures can we expect?
Temperatures can vary significantly. In the mountains, we may get snowed on with 30 F temperatures. On the ocean, temperatures can range from 80 degrees to 45 degrees. Generally though, you can expect temperatures to be in the 50’s and 60’s during the months of June, July and August.
What will the food be like?
Our guides are great cooks. They’re adept at making tasty meals. We typically have a good variety to give us flexibility with timing while out on adventures. Breakfast burritos, spaghetti, pesto pasta, bagel sandwiches and oatmeal are just a few examples of meals you can expect to eat at the Chilkoot High Adventure Base.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, we are great at customizing menus to fit specific needs. Whether vegetarian, gluten free, allergies or otherwise, we can easily put together a menu that will work for your group.
Are there outdoor shops in Haines if we forget any of our clothing or equipment?
Yes, there are a few shops in Haines, and we’ll do our best to make sure that everyone has what they need before heading out into the field.
What type of identification do participants need?
For our whitewater program, we travel into Canada, so all scouts will need passports and permission to travel across the border from their parents/guardians. For our mountaineering program, we are officially in the US, but we pass back through customs after the mountaineering segment. We highly recommend passports for all participants coming to the Chilkoot High Adventure Base.
CONTACT US
If there are any other questions that you have, or feel aren’t adequately addressed, please contact us by phone or email, and we’ll get back to you right away.
Learn more about the Chilkoot High Adventure Base at www.alaskascoutingadventures.org
Email: info@alaskascoutingadventures.org
Phone: 1800-766-3396