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Detailed Description PDF »Equipment List PDF »
Backcountry Backpacking Course in the Alaskan Range
Experience Alaska by backpacking the vast and pristine alpine tundra bordering Denali National Park and Preserve or the neighboring Talkeetna Mountains. From these areas, the views of Mt. McKinley and the Alaska Range can be fabulous. In addition to enjoying the scenery, AMS instructors introduce you to the unique tundra ecosystem under foot and the variety of wildflowers. Wildlife sightings may include moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, porcupines, bear and eagles. 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.
Alaska's wilderness is an international treasure; joining an Alaskan wilderness backpacking course will be an unforgettable experience. Treks are an educational and fun way to explore the wilderness areas of Alaska's alpine tundra ecosystems. Photographers and outdoor enthusiasts are rewarded with stunning views, incredible landscapes and a quiet that can only be found in remote places. Those with little or no backpacking or camping experience benefit from the instruction on hiking techniques, camping skills, and map use. 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 starting date.)
Group Limit: 8 students, 2 AMS Instructors
Tuition Includes: Instruction, van shuttle (Talkeetna - trailhead - Talkeetna), field food and fuel, group 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.
Wilderness Backpacking Treks drive to a trailhead in the Talkeetna Mountains or Peter's Hills, both spectacular areas southeast of the boundary of Denali National Park and Preserve. Each of these areas is unique and beautiful destinations that are well-known by AMS, ensuring a high quality experience.
Wilderness Backpacking Treks visit remote wilderness areas where there are no physical amenities. AMS teaches camping techniques to keep you warm, dry and properly nourished. We live in the outdoors and camp in tents for the duration of the trek. 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. Safety is our number one priority and while prevention is always the best strategy, the wilderness is inherently dangerous, thus Treks are equipped with first aid and drug kits and emergency communications.
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 expedition members. Each graduate is expected to:
Students are exposed to theory and practice of outdoor leadership, teamwork, and expedition behavior. Each graduate is expected to:
An integral part of every course is to raise students' understanding of the natural ecosystem in which they are traveling. Each graduate is expected to:
AMS courses focus on learning and practicing backcountry skills which are safe for the individual and environment. Each graduate is expected to: