Our Philosophy

     Equinox Wilderness Expeditions conducts environmentally responsible small-group adventures. As we move into our 20th year of “adventure travel,” we continue to reflect upon our impact on the land, and renew our commitment to ethical and environmentally sustainable travel. We embrace ecotourism guidelines developed by the Alaska Wilderness Tourism and Recreation Association, and ask that you become aware of your own impact on the environment as you travel.
     Our carefully planned expeditions offer an opportunity to experience wilderness on a scale that is largely unimaginable in much of the world, and to observe bird and wildlife migrations of similar magnitude. Our trips are educational, with a focus on learning about wildlife and northern ecosystems. We also love to have fun.
     We believe wild places bring us into deeper relationship with our own spirits, reminding us of our oneness with nature. Meeting the land on its own terms, we move in harmony with wind, weather, water and wildlife. Being enveloped by the immensity of largely intact landscapes can be a profound experience. Sitting alone in a place of wild beauty gives us an opportunity to reflect on what is important.

     In the companionship of like-minded companions, we make new friends, and find personal challenge, solitude and peace. At times, you will be tested by the elements and wonder why you chose to endure such hardship; at other times, you will marvel at your serenity in being 'at home' in the wilderness. Each trip is a unique adventure.

     When you travel with us, know that you are one of a small number of participants that we take out each year. We're small, and we want to stay small. We believe in quality, not quantity. As a result, each of our clients receives individual attention, and a personalized experience.

"I keep coming back to that sweep of spaciousness and the crystal clear light and
sound ..... That one night of midnight sun and utter stillness was itself worth the entire journey.   V. Rossetti, Aulavik National Park
 

Wilderness Preservation

We accept a responsibility to protect and care for our wild heritage, and follow minimum impact camping standards that are even more strict than the U.S. “Leave No Trace” principles. We keep our group sizes very small, with no more than 8 participants, to reduce our impact, foster personal awareness and build friendships. Backpacking trips are generally limited to 6 participants, including the guide. In small groups, we can more easily blend into the natural world, and truly embrace the spaciousness of wild country.

Mardy Murie, Conservationist, author, and recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom (1902-2003)

Margaret

 Our philosophy also includes taking political action on issues that threaten the wellbeing of our wild lands. Under the current U.S. administration, Alaska's wild places are under attack from every direction; policies concerning natural resources seriously threaten wilderness and wildlife, worldwide. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), we celebrate more than 100 million acres of federal conservation lands, and we also pledge to continue working to protect these lands.


Many of our trips into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Western Arctic take us to lands threatened by industrial development. Once compromised, these wild places are gone. We want to build the chorus of voices against oil development in the biological heart of the Arctic Refuge and in Alaska's Western Arctic.

We continue to push for wilderness preservation throughout Alaska, Canada, and the West. In this spirit, we pledge a percentage of our earnings to nonprofit organizations working to protect wilderness and wildlife in North America. Gaining wilderness status for the Arctic Refuge coastal plain is one of our highest priorities. Protecting the remaining Ancient Forests in the Pacific Northwest is another. Designating portions of Southern Utah’s canyonlands as Wilderness is, too. The fact is, there are few wilderness areas and public lands in the U.S. and western Canada that are not currently threatened, and we do our best to press Congress and the land managing agencies for the highest protection.

We contribute A Dollar-a-Day for each day of your trip among conservation organizations in Alaska and Canada. Among the groups that we support:

Environmental Sustainability in our Business

   "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Dr. Suess, The Lorax

How do we come to grips with human overconsumption of the earth's resources? We can pledge to shift to clean energy; reduce waste, pollution, and energy consumption; protect wild places; support sustainable agriculture, and consume healthy food.

Our business practices reflect our own commitment to moving towards a just and sustainable future--a future with clean air and water, foods free of pesticides, a shift to renewable energy sources, and protection for and recovery of endangered ecosystems and species.

In this spirit, we serve organic, non-GE (genetically engineered) foods as much as possible, supporting small farmers and food producers; we use biodegradable cleaning products and recyclable containers. We conduct our tours with consumptive restraint, rather than superfluous affluence. We educate our guests in environmental and social issues affecting the areas we travel. And, we strive to make the world a better place.

Globally, 71 percent of the world's paper supply comes from diverse and biologically rich forests, rather than tree farms. In Alaska and British Columbia, ancient forests are still being logged for pulp and paper. While efforts are being made to produce increasing percentages of recycled paper, we believe we can best reduce waste and energy by having our website serve as our brochure. We do send out a paper (or email) newsletter and schedule each year to those who prefer. If you'd like to receive it, please contact us.
 

Karen  Jettmar
Equinox Wilderness Expeditions
2440 E. Tudor Road, #1102
Anchorage, AK  99507
Phone: (604) 222-1219  cell: (604) 765-3370 Fax: (604) 222-1219

info@equinoxexpeditions.com