We’re about the magical moments.
We’re a small company of friends that run guided basecamp hiking and backpacking trips in grand and far-flung places. We bring people together to create moments of awe — because we know that adventure ignites parts of us that are dormant — adventure ignites spirit and connection and deep-founded joy. We believe that people are craving moments of raw realness. That’s what our trips are about.
We know you have a lot of companies to chose between. Here’s some things that set us apart: small groups, expert guides, inclusive culture, better gear / lighter packs, delicious nutritious high-quality food, a perfect risk-management record, carbon-neutral trips, and a deep commitment to sustainability.
FEATURED 2025 TRIPS
Book before Nov 1, 2024 for $1000 off | Book before Jan 1, 2025 for $500 off
Advanced Backpacking Course
June 9 - 19 (women only)
June 10 - 20 (queer only)
Length: 11 days
Gist: Learn everything you need to know for expedition backpacking.
Group Size: up to 10 students and 2 instructors.
Gates of the Arctic Oolah Traverse
June 22 - 30
June 23 - July 1 (women only)
July 2 - 10
Length: 9 days
Gist: traverse across the great northern arctic.
Group Size: up to 7 guests and 2 guides.
Denali Whale’s Tail Backpacking
July 15 - 22
July 23 - 30
Length: 8 days
Gist: Perhaps the wildest backpacking trip in North America.
Group Size: up to 8 guests and two guides.
Wrangells Wild Magic Basecamp
August 4 - 13
August 15 - 24
Length: 10 days
Gist: Basecamp hiking in the most beautiful park in America.
Group Size: up to 8 guests and two guides.
Gates of the Arctic Basecamp
June 9 - 17
September 1 - 9
Length: 9 days
Gist: Basecamp hiking in the remote arctic.
Group Size: up to 8 guests and two guides.
Wrangells Mystery Traverse
AUG 5 - 14
AUG 16 - 25
Length: 10 days
Gist: An epic and challenging traverse of part of this massive park.
Group Size: up to 7 guests and two guides.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“★★★★★
I have travelled the entire world, every continent, with dozens of high-end guide services and this was hands down the best trip of my life. The place worked it’s way into my soul. And Jack was the best guide i’ve ever had! It was hard, but so so worth it.”
“★★★★★
It’s impossible to explain how vast the place is. Every square mile would be it’s own national park if it were in the lower 48! I’m so grateful I got the chance to go here and so glad I chose IAG to go with.”
“★★★★★
Jack had me cracking up the entire time! Alaska is no joke. If you’re willing to put in the effort it’s absolutely worth it. And if you go you might as well laugh the entire time while you’re at it. I can’t recommend Indigo Alpine Guides or Gates of the Arctic highly enough.”
CUSTOM EXPERIENCES
We may have moved towards scheduled backpacking trips, but that doesn’t mean we’ve let go of our technical roots. We’ve put up first ascents on Himalayan Peaks, bike-packed some of the most remote terrain in America, and ski traversed wild seldom-seen regions of Alaska. We have the experience to back you up on your adventures no matter the terrain.
ROCK
Custom rock climbing trips and courses in the Pacific Northwest (North Cascades, Index, Smith Rock, Vantage), Red Rocks, Nevada and Internationally.
ALPINE
Custom alpine mountaineering and ice climbing in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Internationally.
SKI & Ride
Custom backcountry ski and ride trips in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Internationally.
We also regularly run ski mountaineering trips for all levels.
TREK
Custom backpacking, basecamp, hut-based, and fly-in trips in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Internationally.
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OUR GUIDES
Jack Bynum
Jack Bynum
Owner | Lead Guide
Jack has over a decade of experience guiding backcountry trips around the world. He has traveled over 20,000 miles by bike, sea kayak, foot, raft, and skis, become the youngest person to solo Denali and has put up first ascents in the Himalayas. In 2016 his solo ascent of Bhandar Lek was listed as one of 20 most significant global ascents of the year by the Piloet d’Or. He has 15+ years of training in remote wilderness medicine and wilderness rescue and is an AMGA certified Rock Guide. Really though, he loves going to the mountains to laugh, to connect deeply with old and new friends, and for the chance at awe and childlike wonder.
Sam Traylor
Sam Traylor
Lead Guide
Sam has over a decade of experience guiding extended (and some shorter) expeditions in Alaska, New Zealand, Mexico and Patagonia. He’s a super accomplished climber, mountaineer, sea kayaker and backpacker in addition to being a ski patroller and highly trained wilderness medicine practitioner. He’s also just a super sweet human.
When he’s not working in wild places, you can find him traveling, cooking, and practicing bushcraft. He continues to find wilderness both a physical and a metaphysical place, and finds the most value in seeing the ways that human beings change and adapt in austere environments.
Celine Jaccard
Celine Jaccard
Lead Guide
Celine Jaccard is one of the most prolific adventurers around. She’s kite-skied across Greenland, circumnavigated Baffin Island, and guided first ascents in Antarctica as an IPGA certified polar guide. She’s also an international wilderness medicine instructor and remote medic for arctic build sites. Most importantly, she does it all with a humble and joyous attitude and with ritual evening dance parties. She splits her time between her home in Baffin Island, Patagonia, Antarctica, and adventures in all corners of the globe.
Ben Luedtke
Ben Luedtke
Lead Guide
Originally from Wisconsin, Ben has spent the past decade roaming the West Coast in search of big adventure. He’s guided mountaineering expeditions on Denali, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Rainier and many other mountains around the globe. Guests unequivocally rave about Ben’s kind, compassionate, and patient temperament. They have conflicting reviews about his dad jokes. Whenever he’s not climbing or guiding he’s headed somewhere in his truck with his dog Echo. Echo loves long adventures out in the snow and string cheese (if you have any).
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe wild space is sacred. We believe in making the outdoors as accessible as possible, as safely as possible, to whoever wants to experience the magic. We endeavor to do so in a way that brings humans closer to the earth and the wild planet we belong to.
SOME WAYS WE STAND WITH OUR VALUES
All our multi-day trips are carbon off-set (neutral).
Every year we donate 2% of profits to organizations doing environmental justice work.
Our paid trips let us offer courses at free or pay-what-you-can rates throughout the year to folks who couldn’t access them otherwise.
WITH SUPPORT FROM
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Trip Journal
