Betsy Winston
Set off on a transformative journey through Alaska’s wild landscapes, where adventure, leadership, and personal growth converge. This 30-day wilderness odyssey will push you to your physical and mental limits as you explore rugged terrain, navigate unpredictable weather, and develop essential outdoor skills. Whether you’re an aspiring outdoor professional or someone seeking a deep connection with nature, this course will build your confidence, leadership, and wilderness expertise in one of the world’s most remote and breathtaking environments.
This course is more than just a backpacking trip—it’s an opportunity to build lifelong leadership skills and gain valuable wilderness experience. Over 30 days in Alaska's pristine wilderness, you’ll be immersed in a challenging and supportive environment that fosters both personal and professional growth. By the end of the course, you’ll not only be more capable in the wild, but you’ll also leave with a greater understanding of your own potential, resilience, and decision-making abilities.
Photo credit: Catherine Rocchi
Venture into Alaska's wilderness's vast, rugged terrain, from tundra expanses to towering mountain passes. Your adventure will take you through diverse landscapes that few have the privilege to witness—spotting wildlife like Dall, sheep, moose, caribou, and, if you’re lucky, even bears and wolves.
Each day brings new challenges and opportunities for exploration. You'll trek across 100 miles of wild terrain, from dense forests to barren plateaus, and experience firsthand the beauty and unpredictability of Alaska’s backcountry. Along the way, you'll learn to navigate through this awe-inspiring environment while developing practical skills in camping, cooking, risk management, and leadership.
Develop essential technical and leadership skills that will stay with you long after the course ends. From navigating Alaska’s wild terrain to making crucial decisions under pressure, you’ll be guided by experienced NOLS instructors every step of the way. Core learning areas include:
Backpacking and Wilderness Navigation: Master map and compass skills, route planning, and safe travel in remote areas.
Risk Management: Learn to assess hazards and make decisions that keep your team safe in dynamic environments.
Leadership and Teamwork: Practice leading and following in a challenging group environment, gaining confidence in solo and group decision-making.
Outdoor Living & Environmental Ethics: Learn skills in camping, cooking, and Leave No Trace principles, which respect the land and preserve it for future generations.
Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Build resilience as you learn to stay calm under pressure and adapt to ever-changing conditions.
Photo credit: Mauricio Clauzet
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect during this 30-day adventure:
Days 1-3: Meet your instructors, prepare gear, and review expedition plans at the NOLS Alaska Base Camp.
Days 4-14: Begin your backpacking journey with daily hikes, navigation practice, and leadership development. You’ll work closely with your group, learning the ins and outs of backcountry travel.
Days 15-21: Continue to deepen your skills in real-time, with opportunities to practice risk management and decision-making as you navigate the wilderness.
Days 22-29: Take the lead in a student-led expedition, putting your leadership and teamwork skills to the test as you travel independently across challenging terrain.
Day 30: Return to base camp for a final debrief and graduation. Reflect on your journey and celebrate your accomplishments with your fellow adventurers.
Photo credit: Catherine Rocchi
This course will challenge you physically, mentally, and emotionally, but the rewards of overcoming these challenges will be immense.
Unpredictable Weather: Alaska’s weather can change instantly—from sunshine to rain or snow. You’ll learn to make decisions quickly and adapt to shifting conditions.
Physical Endurance: Carrying a heavy pack across rugged terrain requires physical strength and mental determination. Through perseverance, you’ll learn the value of resilience.
Navigational Challenges: The Alaskan wilderness offers few marked trails, meaning you'll need to rely on your map and compass skills to navigate the landscape.
Leadership and Group Dynamics: As you take on leadership roles, you’ll learn to balance personal decisions with the group's needs, developing a deeper understanding of teamwork and collaboration.
By the end of the course, you will be more confident in your ability to thrive in demanding situations and lead others in complex environments.
The Alaska Backpacking Adventure is for anyone ready to challenge themselves and grow in the wild. Whether seeking a transformative wilderness experience, preparing for a career in outdoor leadership, or simply looking for a profound personal challenge, this course will help you develop critical skills for the wilderness and beyond. Some experience in backpacking is recommended, but a spirit of adventure and a willingness to learn is essential.
Photo credit: Mauricio Clauzet
Completing the Alaska Backpacking Adventure means joining a global community of NOLS alumni who have gone on to lead successful careers in outdoor education, business, government, and more. The leadership and problem-solving skills you’ll gain will serve you throughout your life, regardless of your journey.
Are you ready to push your limits and take on the adventure of a lifetime? Sign up for the Alaska Backpacking Adventure today and discover a new level of leadership, resilience, and connection with the wild.
“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.”
