Betsy Winston
Push your limits and experience the stunning beauty of Alaska’s remote wilderness in this 30-day backpacking course. As you journey through rugged terrain and awe-inspiring landscapes, you’ll develop critical wilderness and leadership skills that will serve you far beyond the course. From traversing glaciers to navigating dense forests, this expedition will challenge you physically, mentally, and emotionally while giving you a rare opportunity to explore Alaska’s wildest corners.
The Alaska Backpacking course offers much more than just a physical challenge—it’s an immersive, life-changing experience that will transform the way you approach the outdoors and leadership. This expedition, set in the heart of Alaska’s pristine wilderness, is designed to push you beyond your comfort zone. As you navigate the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, you’ll build essential skills in wilderness survival, independent travel, and group leadership. The remote Alaskan landscape offers a unique backdrop for personal growth, with opportunities to face adversity, make decisions under pressure, and develop the confidence to lead in any situation.
Whether hiking through the towering Talkeetna Mountains, crossing glacier-fed rivers, or spotting wildlife like Dall sheep, moose, and even bears, this course will reshape how you view the wilderness—and yourself.
Prepare to explore the wild, rugged landscapes of Alaska’s pristine wilderness, where few have set foot. Over the course of this 30-day journey, you’ll navigate diverse terrains—from vast tundra to steep mountain passes—where the only sounds are the calls of wildlife and the crunch of your boots on the earth. As you hike through Alaska’s untouched wilderness, you'll encounter breathtaking views and wildlife encounters that few have the privilege to witness firsthand.
You’ll spend your days trekking across glaciers, camping under vast, star-filled skies, and tackling the challenges of wilderness navigation. In addition to learning practical outdoor skills, you’ll gain an appreciation for the natural world and Alaska’s incredible biodiversity, spotting iconic animals like caribou, wolves, and moose.
Photo credit: Mauricio Clauzet
This course is designed to teach a wide range of technical and interpersonal skills, empowering you to navigate, thrive, and lead in remote wilderness environments.
Here are the core skills you will develop during your Alaska backpacking adventure:
Backpacking & Wilderness Navigation: Master the skills needed to travel off-trail, read maps, use a compass, and plan your route in challenging terrain.
Camping and Cooking in Remote Environments: Learn how to set up camp, cook nutritious meals, and keep your gear in top condition in rugged conditions.
Leadership & Teamwork: Throughout the course, you will gain valuable leadership experience as you take on more responsibility, culminating in a student-led expedition.
Risk Management & Safety: Develop strategies for managing risks in wilderness settings, including handling unexpected weather, crossing hazardous terrain, and preparing for wildlife encounters.
Wildlife Awareness: Learn how to stay safe while encountering Alaska’s diverse wildlife, including proper food storage and bear safety practices.
Photo credit: Prasad Gadgil
This course will take you through several learning and exploration phases, ensuring you gain both the technical and leadership skills required for self-sufficiency in the wilderness.
Day 1-3: Arrive at the NOLS Alaska Basecamp. Meet your instructors, review gear, and receive an introduction to wilderness skills such as camp setup, cooking, and wilderness navigation.
Day 4-14: Begin your backpacking journey, traversing Alaska’s rugged landscape. You’ll learn the fundamentals of backpacking, navigation, and cooking while gradually taking on more responsibility in your team.
Day 15-25: Increase your leadership role as you begin student-led expedition segments. You and your team will make key decisions about route planning, group management, and problem-solving while continuing to learn and apply wilderness skills.
Day 26-30: Culminate your journey with an independent student-led expedition, where you’ll demonstrate your ability to navigate, manage risks, and lead your team through the wilderness. Return to base for a final debrief and course graduation.
Photo credit: Mauricio Clauzet
Expect the unexpected. Alaska’s wilderness is renowned for its challenging weather conditions, which can change rapidly from sunshine to snowstorms. You'll need to adapt to these unpredictable conditions, build resilience, and learn to make quick, informed decisions.
Challenging Terrain: Alaska’s rugged terrain includes glaciers, bogs, steep slopes, and glacier-fed rivers. Prepare to carry a heavy pack (45-55 lbs) through these demanding environments, testing your endurance and physical strength.
Wildlife Encounters: As you trek through bear country, you'll practice bear safety techniques, including proper food storage and maintaining a clean camp. You'll also learn about Alaska’s rich wildlife, from moose to wolves, and how to interact with these animals safely.
Remote Wilderness: You’ll be far from civilization without roads or easy access. This remoteness means you’ll have to rely on your skills, team, and instructors to navigate the challenges that arise.
This course is ideal for individuals ready to embrace a physically demanding, mentally challenging, and transformative experience in the wild. Whether you're an aspiring outdoor professional, an adventurer seeking personal growth, or someone looking to build leadership skills in a remote setting, this course will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to tackle any challenge—both in the wilderness and life.
Prerequisites: A strong sense of adventure and a willingness to challenge yourself. Previous backpacking experience is helpful but optional.
Photo credit: Mauricio Clauzet
By completing this Alaska backpacking course, you’ll join the global network of NOLS alumni—a community of leaders, adventurers, and innovators who have applied their NOLS experience to transform their careers and personal lives. Whether you pursue a career in the outdoors or simply seek a deeper connection to nature, the lessons learned in Alaska will last a lifetime.
Ready to take the next step? Embrace the adventure of a lifetime and become the leader you were always meant to be. Sign up today and start your transformative journey through Alaska’s untamed wilderness!
“NOLS helped me see the value leaders hold, and the multiple ways one can be more than just a designated leader. I found the importance of being a peer leader and having active followership, roles that are sometimes belittled, the most useful. The greatest reward I got from the entire NOLS course was the idea of positive thinking....Learning to not let myself get into [a negative] mindset during a difficult, long day or even noticing others’ attitude change and helping them steer away from this, is something that I am grateful for and will use outside this trip.”
