About Indigo Alpine Guides
Indigo Alpine Guides was founded in 2017 by Jack Bynum. After working for companies across America, including National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Alpine Ascents, Mountain Madness, and Mountain Professionals, Jack decided to start IAG focusing on custom unique experiences in the seldom-traveled parts of the world.
We don’t aspire to be a behomoth company — we focus on custom trips, with superb logistics, to places of overwhelming beauty. Every expedition we guide is an “expedition of a lifetime” for our clients.
In 2025, Indigo Alpine Guides moved it’s entire operation to Alaska and focused in on guided the coolest backpacking trips the state had to offer.
About Jack
Jack has 10 years 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 on 6,000 meter peaks 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 prestigious Piloet d’Or. He calls Seattle home, but is often around the world leading trips or on personal adventures.
Before starting Indigo Alpine Guides, Jack worked for many guide and instructional services across the country including Alpine Ascents, Mountain Madness, Ice Axe Expeditions, Mountain Professionals, and National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
All day trips and expeditions are either led by Jack or by a select group of professional guides with Jack’s oversight.
Jack’s Certifications:
AMGA Certified Rock Guide Swift Water Rescue Technician
Wilderness First Responder Leave No Trace Master Educator
Avalanche Pro 1
Our Trip Offerings
We specialize in incredibly remote fully guided fly-in backpacking and basecamp hiking trips throughout Alaska. We’re based in Anchorage and we run most of our trips in Denali National Park, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Katmai National Park, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Talkeetna Mountains. We run custom guided backpacking trips to all the other parks and wild places in Alaska on request.
In addition to guided backpacking and basecamp hiking, we also guide technical climbing, mountaineering, and skiing around the world on a custom basis.
Our Philosophy
We Believe:
+ wild space is sacred.
+ in the outdoors being accessible to all.
+ in doing risky things with humility — you can not eliminate risk but you can manage it skillfully.
+ in engaging with other cultures with respect.
+ in treating the land and animals as part of us, not separate from us.
We Practice:
+ A group culture of humility, respect, and skillful communication.
+ Paying our guides a livable wage.
+ Donating to organizations working one environmental justice and climate change.
+ Educating our guests about the land we explore.
What Sets Us Apart?
We know you have a lot of guide companies to chose from. So why should you chose us?
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, and a deep commitment to sustainability.
But still, we’re not for everybody. So what are we really about?
We’re about finding joy through community and through struggling through alder bushes in the rain and seeing unbelievable places. Your guides will probably become your friends. You might get tired of their bad jokes. And / or their good jokes. They will expect you to set up your own tent and they won’t be able to make it stop raining.
We’ll probably have lots of existential things to say. Followed by something goofy. We’ll probably make it a fun trip whether it’s sunny and ‘perfect’ or rains the entire time. When and if things get serious, you’ll know in your bones you can trust us to take care of business and keep everyone safe.
We’re honest and up front: no trip in AK goes exactly to plan. But we will always do everything we can to make it a trip you’ll remember at the end of your life. And the truth is, trips that go exactly to plan aren’t often memorable.
It’s best if you just go check out the reviews and see for yourself. People truly love us. if you want a big cookie cutter tour, we’re probably not your crew. If you want to see the real Alaska and have a literal trip of a lifetime (and have some laughs and deep conversations along the way) then we’re probably the best choice.
The Spiceometer
🌶️ Spicy | Adventure Curious
“A little sweat, a lot of views.” These trips are for adventurous hikers ready to explore off trail. Expect manageable days, light packs, and plenty of time to soak it all in. Some uphill, some tussocks, maybe a bit of brush or light bushwhacking, but nothing too wild. Daily mileage is manageable and packs are lighter. You’ll feel accomplished without feeling wrecked. A great choice for folks looking to dip their toes into the magic (and challenge) of off-trail Alaskan backpacking.
🌶️🌶️ Spicier | Gentle Warrior
“Rugged and wild, but within reach.” These trips are for strong hikers looking for a real taste of off-trail Alaska—without going full sufferfest. Expect steady climbs, longer days, and more tussocks, brush, and river crossings. You’ll encounter the full “Alaska variety pack” of terrain—scree slopes, muskeg, willow thickets—but it’s all part of the adventure. Daily mileage is moderate, but footing can be tricky and the wildness is very real. You'll earn your views (and your trail snacks).
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spiciest | Wild at Heart
“For strong legs, wild hearts, and a love of type-2 fun.” These trips are for committed backpackers looking to push their limits. This is big leagues backcountry. Longer days, bigger elevation gains, heavier packs, deep wilderness, and the full off-trail Alaskan experience. Expect endless tussocks, steep climbs, river crossings, and long stretches of remote travel with no signs of humanity. Perfect for strong hikers with solid backcountry experience and an appetite for type-2 fun, suffering, and jaw-dropping landscapes. The payoff? Solitude, adventure, and memories you’ll dream about forever.
We pride ourselves on running real and rugged trips in the Alaska backcountry.
But that doesn’t mean you need to be a super-athlete or elite backpacker to join. Our trips are designed for adventurous spirits, not just mountain goats. That said, backpacking off-trail in Alaska is just plain hard. Expect tussocks, brush, river crossings, and uneven terrain that will challenge your legs and your mindset. If you’re reasonably fit, comfortable hiking with a backpack, and up for the challenge of wild terrain (and even wilder beauty), you’ll fit right in. We’ll guide you through the hard parts, cheer you on, and make sure you’ve got plenty of snack breaks along the way. Bring your grit, your sense of humor, and your love of big landscapes—you’ve got this.
Our Commitment to the Climate
At Indigo Alpine Guides, we believe wild places deserve wild protection. We’re deeply aware that travel—especially to remote landscapes like Alaska—carries a carbon cost. That’s why we offset the carbon footprint of every trip we run. We also design lower-impact itineraries, minimize flights where possible, and focus on small group, low-footprint travel. Just as importantly, we see every trip as a chance to educate. Alaska’s changing landscapes are a living classroom, and we’re committed to helping our guests understand the impacts of climate change and the urgent need for conservation. We want every step you take with us to be toward a more sustainable future for these incredible lands.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
We’re always happy to talk through anything on your mind. Oftentimes the quickest way to get it all done is by phone or zoom. Hit us up at the button below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can (we’re often in the mountains.)
