Alaska Mountaineering School
" Absolutely satisfied. I had no previous camping experience and now feel as though I'd be ready for a trip without a guide. "
— Peter Freer, 7-day Wilderness Hike

Wilderness Backpacking Courses

AMS Alaskan Backpacking courses explore the untamed beauty of Alaska's alpine lakes and tundra-covered mountains while teaching the skills to be a competent backcountry user in bear country.

Backpacking course locations are chosen for the likelihood of seeing wildlife and scenic vistas of the higher glaciated peaks. We backpack in the Talkeetna Mountains, Chugach Mountains, and Denali National Park and Preserve.

Our backcountry backpacking curriculum covers off-trail navigation, camping in bear country, and the natural history of the area. Photography, birding, wildlife viewing, fly-fishing, and moderate peak ascents are all popular activities.