Reji James/Eliza Grinnell
Essential Alaska: A Hiking Excursion to Denali and Kenai
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Essential Alaska: A Hiking Excursion to Denali and Kenai
Leader Reji James
Co-leader Eliza Grinnell
Alaska
July 22, 2011 - July 30, 2011
Total # of days 9
Hiking
Downhill skiing
Kayaking
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Cultural
Road biking
Nordic ski
Mountain biking
Snorkeling
Other – please describe
Number of participants
(excluding leaders)
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in The Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Max 12
Min 10
$ 1,930
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ 550-900
Yes
No If yes, please list the approximate month (max is one year in
advance of trip)
ASAP
Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2
leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? Yes
No
If yes, why is a small group proposed? Purely personal choice by the two leaders to
maximize the hiking experience. We would rather pay some money out of pocket to
keep the group size managable (10 min. and 12 max). Logistics for a smaller group are
easier.
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain
why?
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Reji James
587 Summer Street, Arlington, MA 02474617-335
james.reji@gmail.com
Home 617-335-7416
Work
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: June 2011. Will renew by April 2011
CPR
BLS
Expiration: June 2011. Will renew by April 2011
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Feel free to list additional
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you
are proposing.
Led Advanced Glacier National Park MEC in 2009
Co-led Patagonia (Torres Del Paine) backpacking trip with Stacia Zukroff in 2007
Led multiple 3+ day trips to Baxter and White Mountains with HB & YM committees
- Planned multi-week trips for friends and travelled to Kilimanjoro, Ecuador, New

To lead a major excursion you must have current CPR and WFA at the time of your trip (or AWFA for all backcountry
trips). If you do not have the required level of certification at the time you submit your proposal or it will expire before
the date of your trip, you will need to make arrangements to recertify in a timely manner.
Revised October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 6
Reji James/Eliza Grinnell
Essential Alaska: A Hiking Excursion to Denali and Kenai
Zealand, Argentina, Slovenia, Italy, Canadian Rockies, John Muir Trail…
- In addition, planned climbing trips to glaciated mountains like Rainier, Shasta,
Baker, etc.
- Former Vice-chair of Young Members & Boston Chapter Member-at-large
- Coordinator of the Spring 2011 Leadership training
- Instructor at numerous HB Leadership programs and Winter hiking program
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Eliza Grinnell
103 Porter Street, Somerville, MA 02143
eliza.grinnell@gmail.com
Home 617-515-1095
Work 617-495-2871
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: Expired. Will recertify before trip.
CPR
BLS
Expiration: Expired. Will recertify before trip
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.
Will be leading a 3-day trip (with leadership evaluation) either over MLK weekend or
President's Day weekend. Details TBD.
See leadership application.
See leadership application.
Participated in prior MEC trip to Torres Del Paine, Patagonia with Stacia Zukroff and
Reji James.
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this
area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local
language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that
are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
However, several AMC trips have been lead in this same area and we have consulted
many of those leaders.
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
- Friday, July 22 - Group departs for Alaska on Friday after work (leaders leave a little
earlier). Participants arrive in Anchorage on Saturday early morning at 12:30am.
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private trips
together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any marketing
materials you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
- Saturday, July 23 - Sleep in a bit to overcome jet lag. Do a half-day hike up Flat Top
mountain. In the afternoon depart for Denali (6 hr drive) . Stop in Wasilla along the way
if there's time.
- Sunday, July 24 - Visit the Denali Wilderness Access Center, get oriented to the park,
and enjoy a hike in the Denali front country.
- Monday, July 25 - View Denali’s wildlife during a shuttle bus tour of the park. Possible
additional hike.
- Tuesday, July 26 - Rise early and depart Denali for Girdwood (7.5 hr drive), stopping
Revised October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 6
Reji James/Eliza Grinnell
Essential Alaska: A Hiking Excursion to Denali and Kenai
in Anchorage along the way to stock up on food (adds time to drive). If there is time in
the afternoon, do a hike in Girdwood in the afternoon.
- Wednesday, July 27 - Drive south to the start of trail head for the 12 mile Lost Lake
hike. Complete hike and then drive south 45 min. to Seward.
- Thursday, July 28 - Rise early and hike Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield (8 miles)
- Friday, July 29 - Take the 8:00am Kenai Fjord boat tour (6 hrs). In the afternoon visit
the Alaska Sealife Center.
- Saturday, July 30 - Hike Mt. Marathon then drive back to Anchorage in the late
afternoon. Catch a redeye flight home or stay in Anchorage on your own until Sunday
and arrive home on Monday.
- Sunday, July 31 - Travel day. Arrive home in the evening.
Accommodations
Please describe your plan for
accommodation(s)
Meals
Please describe your plan for
providing meals
July 22 - Ramada Anchorage downtown
July 23 - Denali Mountain Morning Hostel
July 24 - Denali Mountain Morning Hostel
July 25 - Denali Mountain Morning Hostel
July 26 - Alyeska Hostel
July 27 - Moby Dick Hostel
July 28 - Moby Dick Hostel
July 29 - Moby Dick Hostel
July 30 - None - redeye out. (rent room for showers before departure?)
Breakfasts- with the exception of the first morning all breakfasts will be prepared by the
group. Group members will be expected to participate with group meal preparation. In
most cases breakfast will simply be cereal, pastries, coffee, and other self-serve items
Lunches - will be paid for and prepared by the participants. Group members will be
given an opportunity to shop for supplies in Anchorage
Dinners - all dinners will be eaten out at a restaurant.
DINNER SPECIFICS
July 22 - Dinner not provided (discuss)
July 23 - Dinner in Denali
July 24 - Dinner in Denali
July 25 - Dinner at McKinley’s Creekside Cafe
July 26 - Dinner in Alyeska
July 27 - Dinner in Seward
July 28 - Dinner at Rays Waterfront Restaurant
July 29 - Dinner in Seward
July 30 - Dinner in Anchorage
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
Revised October 2009
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
We will be hiking in the front country and taking the park's shuttle bus so we will not
need any special permits in Denali.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 6
Reji James/Eliza Grinnell
Essential Alaska: A Hiking Excursion to Denali and Kenai
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
How will this major excursion
meet the mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/
mission.cfm
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Experience hiking for distances of 12 miles or more will be required as well as a level of
fitness which would allow for such activities.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
We will offer a day hike in the White Mountains during June so the group can meet and
get aquainted.
We will learn about the flora, fauna, and geology of the area from the rangers in Denali,
the Alaska Sealive Center and Seward, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in
Anchorage.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour
operator or guide service
during part, or the entire
trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
Yes
No
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
Kenai Fjord Tours
http://www.kenaifjords.com
Excellent
Liability? Yes
No
Maximum amt: $ unknown
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes
No
additional insured?
Previously approved by AMC ME for Zimmerman trip
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section
if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
1) Bear encounters, 2) dramatic change in weather, 3) mosquitos, gnats and black
flies
Response
1) Inform group about standard bear encounter procedures 2) Stay together as group 3)
Carry pepper spray 3) right apparel and layers (with spares) 4) Deet and head nets
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Not applicable. Low to no crime.
Response
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
1) unpaved roads 2) tired drivers 3) animals in the road
Response
1) drive with care on unpaved roads and travel with 2 or 3 vehicles 2) All driving
components are no more than 6 hours in length and be broken up by activities along the
way. 3) drive carefully especially around bends in the road.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Revised October 2009
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 6
Reji James/Eliza Grinnell
Essential Alaska: A Hiking Excursion to Denali and Kenai
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
1) Not physically fit for hikes 2) lying about hiking ability 3) getting lost
1) Screen participants carefully, 2) check references and meet participant at pre-trip day
hike. 3) Group will stay together and particpants will receive instructions for both how to
avoid getting lost and what to do if they do.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
See above
See above
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Use as much detail as possible, and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION
BLANK
All participants will carry their personal emergency contact information, including
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
contact info for the AMC and any travel insurance, Leaders will also carry all participant
documentation, distance from
emergency contact and medical information. Hike plan reported to rangers.
emergency services
ANCHORAGE
Providence Alaska Medical Center
3200 Providence Drive
907-562-2211 or 907-212-5800
DENALI
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
1650 Cowles Street, Fairbanks
907-452-8181
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
evacuation from the
backcountry location if
applicable?
Medical care
Please describe the medical
care available in the area(s)
where you will be traveling
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
SEWARD
Providence Medical Center
417 First Street
907-224-5205
None.
None of our hikes are more than 6 miles and with a group of 12 people (min) groupassisted evacuation may be possible. If not, rangers will be contacted. An air ambulance
to anchorage is also available.
See above.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Foreign currencies
For int’l trips list each foreign
currency, the current $US
dollar exchange rate and what
contingencies you have if that
Revised October 2009
None.
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 6
Reji James/Eliza Grinnell
Essential Alaska: A Hiking Excursion to Denali and Kenai
rate changes. If a tour
operator or agent is being
used, what currency is the
agent to be paid in?
Deposits
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Ramada downtown - No deposit necessary
Denali Mountain Morning Hostel - credit card will be charged the full amount to hold
the reservation
Anyeska Hostel - credit card will be charged the full amount to hold the reservation.
They have agreed to work with us to give us some flexibility on this policy.
Moby Dick Hostel - require full payment 30 days ahead of reserved stay.
Car Rental Agency - No credit card rquired by Dollar Car Rental. Reservation can be
made online for no cost.
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Anchorage downtown Ramada - not charged until arrival
Denali Mountain Morning Hostel - For ALL cancellations you will be charged $25 or
20% of the cost of what you are canceling (whichever is greater). If you cancel less than
ONE MONTH prior to your scheduled arrival date, you will be charged 100% of the
portion of the reservation you are canceling
Anyeska Hostel - 10% cancellation charge with no less than 14 day cancellation notice
for a 90% refund. No group, weekly, or monthly rental refunds less than 14 days notice.
All qualified refunds subject to $1 service charge.
Moby Dick Hostel - A 30 day cancellation policy will be applied.
Car Rental Agency - Card not charged until cars are picked up so no refund needed.
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
Initial deposit due with application: $1,000.00;
Second Payment of $930 due April 1, 2011
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
Yes
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
Revised October 2009
Cancellations are subject to a $200 administrative cancellation fee plus all the conditions
of refunds above. Land costs will be refunded if a replacement participant can be found
and covers all costs to take up the vacant spot. Participant who cancels will forfeit any
amounts not able to be covered by new participant and will be additionally subject to the
$200 administrative cancellation fee. Airfares purchased in the participants name are the
property of the participant and cannot be refunded
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
cyout@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 6