Tara Pesman
Set off on an unforgettable 8-day wilderness adventure designed for women seeking to strengthen their leadership skills, build lifelong connections, and push their personal limits while immersed in Alaska's breathtaking landscapes.
Explore rugged terrains, experience the wild heart of Alaska, and gain the outdoor skills you need for self-reliance—all while empowering yourself through the support of an inspiring, like-minded community. The Women’s Alaska Backpacking Course offers a transformative blend of physical challenge, leadership development, and personal growth against one of Earth's most awe-inspiring wilderness backdrops.
Photo credit: Catherine Rocchi
Transform your mindset and leadership style in one of the planet's most stunning, remote wilderness areas.
This course offers more than just an opportunity to explore Alaska’s wild beauty; it’s designed to empower women to develop the confidence and resilience needed to thrive in any environment. Whether navigating glacial valleys, crossing swift rivers, or encountering Alaska’s iconic wildlife, you’ll find yourself stepping out of your comfort zone, discovering new strengths, and gaining valuable outdoor leadership experience.
The course is built to challenge your physical endurance and leadership abilities, allowing you to grow as a person, a leader, and a wilderness adventurer. By the end of this course, you’ll leave with newfound skills, lifelong friendships, and the empowering sense that you can take on anything life throws at you.
Step into the wild heart of Alaska’s iconic landscapes and encounter a world few have the privilege to explore.
From the moment you set foot in Alaska’s untamed wilderness, you’ll feel the pull of the land—a stunning mix of tundra, forested valleys, glacial rivers, and towering mountain peaks. Your expedition will take you through rugged terrain, where you’ll traverse steep slopes, cross fast-moving rivers, and camp under the stars in the shadow of snow-capped peaks. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to encounter some of Alaska’s most iconic wildlife, including Dall sheep, moose, caribou, and possibly even bears and wolves.
This course offers an immersive experience, combining challenging backcountry travel with deep personal reflection, teamwork, and connection with the land. You'll leave with a greater understanding of the wilderness, Alaska’s wildlife, and the resilience it takes to thrive in such an environment.
Photo credit: Molly Hagbrand
Develop the technical and interpersonal skills you need to thrive in remote wilderness settings—and grow as a leader.
This course will equip you with diverse skills to navigate the wilderness and lead confidently. You'll focus on technical wilderness skills, leadership development, and teamwork. Some of the core areas of focus include:
Wilderness Navigation: Learn to navigate by map, compass, and natural signs, gaining the confidence to lead your team through Alaska's varied terrain.
Backpacking & Camping: Master the basics of backcountry travel, including packing, camp setup, cooking, and Leave No Trace principles, to ensure self-sufficiency in remote environments.
Leadership & Decision-Making: Build your leadership skills through real-time decision-making in the wilderness while learning how to collaborate effectively with a team in challenging conditions.
Risk Management & Safety: Develop the skills to assess potential hazards, manage risks, and make sound decisions for your safety and your team's.
Personal Growth & Empowerment: Push your physical and mental limits in a supportive environment, building resilience and inner strength to tackle any challenge in the wilderness and beyond.
Day by day, you’ll progress from learning essential skills to immersing yourself fully in the expedition experience.
Day 1: Arrive at the NOLS Alaska Campus, meet your instructors, and review gear and course objectives.
Day 2–6: Embark on your expedition, traveling through rugged terrain. Each day includes wilderness travel, hands-on skills training, leadership development, and group activities.
Day 7: Return to the NOLS campus, debrief, and reflect on the lessons learned throughout the course. Celebrate your personal and group accomplishments before graduation.
Day 8: Graduation day! Complete your journey with a final reflection, and become part of the NOLS alumni network—empowered and ready to face new challenges.
Expect to face challenges, but know that overcoming them will leave you stronger and more confident.
Physical Challenges: The demanding Alaskan terrain will test your physical endurance. Steep slopes, swift rivers, and long days of trekking will push you to dig deep, but with the support of your team, you’ll discover your capacity for resilience.
Mental Endurance: The Alaskan wilderness offers unpredictability—from sudden weather changes to wildlife encounters. You’ll develop mental toughness as you navigate these challenges, making decisions that require calm, focus, and quick thinking.
Group Dynamics & Leadership: Living and traveling with a small group of women in such an environment demands teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Through this shared experience, you’ll learn not only how to lead but also how to follow and support others.
Each of these challenges will be met with a reward: the growth of confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of accomplishment that comes from navigating the wild, both physically and mentally.
Photo credit: Mauricio Clauzet
This course is for women ready to challenge themselves in the wilderness, build leadership skills, and connect with a supportive community.
Whether you're an aspiring outdoor leader, a seasoned adventurer, or someone seeking to push your personal boundaries, this course will meet you where you are and help you grow. Participants should be physically fit, prepared to hike and carry a backpack for several hours each day, navigating through rugged wilderness terrain.
By completing this course, you’ll become part of a global network of NOLS alumni—a community of leaders, adventurers, and changemakers who use their wilderness experiences to impact their careers and lives.
As you join this vibrant network, you’ll gain access to lifelong friendships, opportunities, and continued personal growth. The Women’s Alaska Backpacking Course is more than just an expedition; it’s a journey that will transform how you approach challenges in all areas of your life.
Are you ready to answer the call of adventure? Embark on this empowering journey in Alaska’s wilderness and discover how strong, capable, and resilient you are.
