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Detailed Description PDF »Equipment List PDF »
Backcountry Backpacking Course in the Alaskan Range
Start your Alaskan wilderness backpacking experience by taking a bush plane to the high mountain tundra and alpine lakes of the rugged Talkeetna Mountains. With expert AMS instructors and naturalist guides you'll explore a vast and scenic alpine environment while learning backcountry skills. Your guides will teach classes related to safe backcountry skills, leadership and teamwork, camping and travel skills, and the natural and cultural history of the area. AMS curriculum emphasizes essential wilderness skills to allow you to be safe and comfortable in a backcountry setting: tent set up, stove use, cooking, safe camping in bear country, basic knots, map and compass use, and first aid. This is a hands-on backpacking expedition, and you will be involved in all aspects of the hike.
This 7-day Alaskan backpacking course allows you to learn new skills and see a variety of spectacular terrain. Your route will take advantage of some of the best vantage points for seeing wildlife such as moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, porcupines, bear and eagles. Natural history enthusiasts enjoy discussions centering on plant identification, animal sightings and human history of the region. There is something for everyone who enjoys being in the out-of-doors and appreciates true wilderness and un-tamed beauty.
Deposit: $500 (Balance Due: 60 days prior to the starting date.)
Group Limit: 8 students, 2 AMS Instructors
Tuition Includes: Instruction, float plane (round trip from Talkeetna), field food and fuel, group camping equipment such as tents and kitchen equipment.
You are responsible for: Transportation to and from Talkeetna, lodging in Talkeetna, travelers' cancellation insurance, personal equipment and clothing.
The Wilderness Backpacking Hike is in the Talkeetna mountain range that is known for its spectacular views, lake fishing, and wildlife. The majority of the route is above tree line and traverses Alaska's unique tundra ecosystem. The wilderness hike is a point to point backpacking adventure, flying in and out of two different lakes. The entire hike will be on terrain without an established trail, giving you an unmatchable experience of freedom, beauty, and connection to nature. Our camps each night will be near small alpine lakes, our source for drinking and cooking water. We hike each day, setting aside time for exploration, wildlife viewing, and peak ascents. Alaska is well-known for its vistas, wilderness and mosquitoes; the Talkeetna mountains are no exception. We use insect repellant and headnets to protect ourselves from the bugs. Expect sunny weather, but rain will likely occur at some point during the hike, which explains why Alaska is so green and lush during the summer. Temperatures range from low 40's to high 60's. We encounter a variety of terrain in the Talkeetnas requiring stream crossings, talus and boulder field traverses and bushwhacking, but most of the time we will be in open alpine tundra.
Wilderness Backpacking Hikes are self-reliant backpacking expeditions that travel in remote mountainous regions of Alaska where there are no physical amenities. Throughout the course, students learn how to live comfortably in the outdoors, prepare their own nutritious meals, and care for themselves while "leaving no trace" on the wilderness. We gather water from alpine lakes and streams and always treat the water using filters, iodine, or boiling before drinking. We dig cat holes in the earth to bury our human waste. Students are divided into tent groups of two to three people to learn cooking and camp tasks. These groups may be co-ed. All members of the course help to carry group equipment and rations. Course format emphasizes hands-on learning and the application of new skills in a variety of situations while having fun and enjoying ones surroundings.
From these areas, evacuation to modern medical facilities can be difficult. Safety is our number one priority and while prevention is always the best strategy, the wilderness is inherently dangerous. We are equipped with first aid and drug kits and emergency communications.
At first, hiking distances will be short so participants can grow accustomed to hiking off trail, carrying packs, practicing basic travel skills such as the rest step, and using a map and compass. As the course progresses, longer travel days of five to eight miles can be expected. Evenings and mornings will include classes and natural history discussions. On occasion, we will remain at camp for another night to enjoy a spot longer. We may climb a small peak or spend time watching wildlife, photographing, or identifying species of wild flowers and plants. The route is pre-determined, but each day's activities are decided upon in the field in order to maximize flexibility, work with the weather, and allow participant involvement. The last day is spent hiking to a lake where we will be picked up and flown back to Talkeetna. Once in Talkeetna, together we return rental equipment and clean any group gear.
AMS provides all of the food for this course. We encourage you to bring one pound of your favorite snack foods. This will be used to supplement what we have for you here and ensures that you have your preferred snack foods.
Wilderness Courses vary in route, group dynamics and environmental conditions. Working with these variables, it is our intent to strive for the following goals for each person:
AMS teaches backcountry skills which promote the health and safety of all group members. We expect graduates to:
Students are exposed to theory and practice of outdoor leadership, teamwork, and expedition behavior. We expect graduates to:
An integral part of every course is to raise students' understanding of the natural ecosystem in which they are traveling. We expect graduates to:
AMS courses focus on learning and practicing backcountry skills that are safe for the individual and environment. We expect graduates to: