By invitation only. Five men. Southeast Alaska. One coastline in expedition canoes.
You didn’t come for a vacation. You came to paddle one of the hardest, most honest coastlines on earth — in tandem expedition canoes, with men who will carry their weight and yours.
The Inside Passage is Tongass wilderness: misted fjords, open crossings, cold water, and long days under load. You’ll read tide and weather together, haul boats and barrels on every beach, and finish as a unit. Tide sets the schedule. Weather writes the veto. Brotherhood is how you finish.
This is Based Adventures’ flagship 2027 expedition. Spots are few. Acceptance is earned.
The route
Stage, then Alaska Marine Highway into Ketchikan. Legs run Ketchikan → Wrangell (Clarence Strait), Wrangell → Petersburg (Wrangell Narrows), Petersburg → Juneau (Frederick Sound / Stephens Passage), and Juneau → Skagway via Haines (Lynn Canal). End in Skagway; exit via Juneau ferry or Whitehorse road. Beach camps and Tongass cabins when weather allows.
What you’ll learn
Expedition canoe travel on open coastal water. Chart, tide and weather reading. Beach landings, loaded carries and camp craft. Go/no-go calls and rotating leadership when the team is tired and far from help.
The standard
Alumni referral or application only. Expect long canoe days, wet gear, cold mornings and beach carries. Before you apply, be ready to paddle 12–15 miles in a day; hike 8–10 miles with a 40 lb pack in under 4 hours; run 5 km under 30 minutes; meet basic strength benchmarks (push-ups, pull-ups, farmer’s carry, plank); complete a 3-day loaded paddle with a capsize/re-entry drill; and train toward 50+ lb beach hauls. Medical disclosure and a signed waiver are required. Acceptance is not guaranteed.
What’s covered
$12,000 USD covers shared food, fuel, lodging/permits budget, route leadership, cabin coordination, InReach check-ins and basic canoe/camp instruction. Expedition canoes are provided once purchased for the season. Not covered: personal kit beyond the group boats, flights, optional rescue insurance and personal cash buffer.
How to get in
Request an invitation and complete the application. If an alumnus referred you, say so. Accepted men receive the onboarding packet, medical disclosure and waiver, then a 25% non-refundable deposit (USD) to hold the seat, with the balance on schedule (final by April 1, 2027). Payment is for accepted men only via Venmo — put the trip name in the note.
Train hard. Pack light. Paddle with purpose. Five seats. Earn the invite.