Nicholas Valentine
Embark on a transformative 14-day journey through Alaska's wild and remote landscapes. The Alaska Backpacking Adventure immerses you in a rugged wilderness expedition, where you will develop essential outdoor skills, strengthen your leadership abilities, and experience nature's untamed beauty. Whether navigating the diverse Alaskan terrain or leading a group through unpredictable weather, this course offers more than just wilderness survival—it’s an opportunity to grow as a leader and adventurer.
The Alaska Backpacking Adventure isn’t just about exploring one of the most awe-inspiring wildernesses on earth—it’s about personal transformation. You will discover your inner strength, resilience, and adaptability through challenging terrain and ever-changing weather. Every step in the Alaskan wild pushes you to refine your leadership style, enhance your decision-making, and build lifelong skills that transcend the outdoors. Whether navigating dense forests, trekking across the tundra, or facing unexpected weather changes, you'll develop the confidence to lead with purpose, adapt to adversity, and support your team in real-time challenges.
Photo credit: Liz Schultz
Alaska’s wilderness is like no other. On this 14-day backpacking course, you will travel through expansive tundra, ascend steep mountain passes, and navigate across diverse and challenging landscapes. The course is set in one of the most remote and scenic areas of the Alaskan wilderness, offering you an unparalleled opportunity to connect profoundly with nature. Along the way, you may encounter iconic Alaskan wildlife, including Dall sheep, caribou, moose, and even bears and wolves, as you immerse yourself in the natural habitat of this stunning region. Each day will bring new experiences, from setting up camp in pristine wilderness to navigating through rugged terrain, all while developing a deep respect for the natural world and its inhabitants.
The Alaska Backpacking Adventure is designed to equip you with practical wilderness skills while also cultivating leadership abilities that will serve you long after the course ends. Some of the core skills you’ll develop include:
Wilderness Navigation: Master backcountry navigation techniques using maps, compasses, and GPS, allowing you to travel confidently through remote landscapes.
Backcountry Camping & Cooking: Learn to set up efficient camps, cook nourishing meals in the wild, and practice Leave No Trace principles to protect fragile environments.
Leadership & Group Dynamics: Develop leadership skills by taking on real-time decision-making roles during group travel and collaborative tasks.
Risk Management & Safety: Build your judgment in assessing risks, managing hazards, and ensuring the safety and well-being of your team in challenging environments.
Personal Growth: Push your physical and mental limits, gaining new perspectives on your abilities, your team, and the natural world.
Photo credit: Char Klein
Day 1: Arrive and meet your instructors. Receive an overview of gear, wilderness survival strategies, and course objectives at the NOLS Alaska campus.
Days 2–12: Begin your 10-day expedition through the Alaskan backcountry. Travel across diverse terrain, including tundra, alpine meadows, and rugged mountain passes. Each day includes outdoor navigation, leadership training, and wilderness skills practice.
Day 13: Student-led expedition. You'll have the opportunity to put everything into practice, taking charge of planning, navigation, and leadership decisions for the final leg of the journey.
Day 14: Return to basecamp for a debrief, where you will share your experiences and lessons learned and celebrate your accomplishments. Then, prepare for your graduation ceremony and departure.
Patience, perseverance, and adaptability are key to succeeding in the Alaska Backpacking Adventure. Here’s a glimpse at the challenges you’ll face—and how overcoming them will shape your growth:
Challenging Terrain & Weather: Alaska’s weather can change rapidly, testing your ability to remain calm and adjust plans. You’ll learn how to navigate these challenges and lead your team through difficult conditions, embracing uncertainty as part of the journey.
Physical Endurance: The demanding terrain—ranging from steep ascents to rugged, uneven ground—requires physical stamina and mental fortitude. The course will push you to persevere; by the end, you’ll feel stronger and more confident in your abilities.
Group Dynamics & Leadership: The experience of living and traveling with a group in the wilderness will help you develop interpersonal skills like empathy, communication, and conflict resolution—essential for any leader. You'll practice being both a leader and a team member, balancing guiding others and supporting your peers.
Photo credit: Lucas Roldos
The Alaska Backpacking Adventure is for those who seek adventure and personal growth. It’s designed for individuals ready to physically, mentally, and emotionally challenge themselves in a truly remote setting. Whether you want to enhance your leadership capabilities, gain wilderness survival skills, or simply embrace a transformative experience in the wild, this course is for you. No prior wilderness experience is required, though participants should be in good physical condition and prepared for rigorous outdoor activities.
When you complete the Alaska Backpacking Adventure, you’ll join a global network of NOLS alumni—leaders in the outdoor industry, business, environmental advocacy, and beyond. NOLS alumni are known for their resilience, adaptability, and leadership skills—qualities forged through immersive wilderness experiences like this one. As a graduate, you’ll have access to a supportive community that extends far beyond the course, providing opportunities for professional development, networking, and lifelong friendships.
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey and discover the leader within you? Sign up today and take the first step toward mastering the skills that will guide you through the wilderness—and life.
“This course dropped me immediately out of my comfort zone into the deepest wilderness I’ve ever seen and said, “You’ll figure it out”. And, that is possibly my greatest take away from this course. Watching my instructors plan and navigate the course without a set trail or an idea of what was on the other side of the ridge or the ability to get rid of the freezing rain and just make it work, was just what I needed. They were completely confident and comfortable relying on what they knew and their ability to figure it out. Handing over the reins of the course to the students was the supportive push that let me know I, too, was capable.”