Wilderness Hike

Alaska Mountaineering School
Talkeetna, AK, United States

Course Format: Classroom | E-learning | Virtual Class | Online | On-site | Blended | Self-paced

Course Description:

'' Alaska Mountaineering School¡¯s wilderness hike explores the high mountain tundra of the vast Talkeetna Mountains with expert instructors who are wilderness guides. The course flies in a bush plane from Talkeetna to one of a number of high alpine lakes to begin the hike. The goal of the hike is to learn backcountry skills while exploring a vast and scenic alpine environment. AMS instructors teach classes related backcountry travel in Alaska in the area of safety and judgment, leadership and teamwork, camping and travel skills, and learning about the natural history of the area. The 7-day course format allows one to cover the classes and see a variety of terrain. This is a hands on backpacking expedition and you will be involved in all aspects of the hike. Your route will take advantage of some of the best vantage points for seeing Alaskan wildlife and the glaciated mountains of Denali National Park & Preserve.
Features of This Course

Hiking route approximately 25-35 miles
Elevations 2,000 to 4,000 feet
Natural history: geology and alpine ecology
Non-technical peak ascents
Fly-fishing for Rainbow, Dolly Varden, and Grayling
Excellent opportunities to view wildlife: eagles, caribou, moose, sheep, wolf, and brown bear
Classes on safe and responsible backcountry travel and camping techniques for Alaska Tundra
1:4 instructor/student ratio

Expedition Style & Remoteness
Wilderness courses are self-reliant backpacking expeditions that travel in remote mountainous regions of Alaska. Throughout the course students learn how to live in the outdoors, prepare their own meals, and care for themselves. Course format emphasizes hands-on learning and the application of new skills in a variety of situations. From these areas, evacuation to modern medical facilities can be difficult.
Students are divided into tent groups of two to three people and learn the cooking and camp tasks. These groups may be co-ed. All members of the course help to carry group equipment and rations.
Environment

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The Wilderness Hike takes place in the Talkeetna Mountain Range which is known for its spectacular views and wildlife. The majority of the route is above treeline, 2000¡¯, and crosses Alaska¡¯s unique Tundra ecosystem. The Wilderness Hike is a point to point backpacking adventure, flying in and out of two different lakes in the Talkeetna Mountains. The entire hike will be on terrain without an established trail, giving you a unmatchable experience of freedom, beauty, and connection to nature. Our camps each night will be near small alpine lakes, and our source for drinking and cooking water. We hike each day and set aside time for exploration, wildlife viewing, and peak ascents. Alaska is well known for it¡¯s vistas, wilderness and it¡¯s mosquitoes and the Talkeetna mountains are no exception. We use insect repellant and head nets to protect ourselves from the bugs. Expect sunny weather, but rain will most likely occur at some point during the hike and 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 bush whacking, but most of the time we will be in open alpine tundra.

The First Day
We will meet for orientation at AMS in Talkeetna at 9:00 a.m. on the first day of the course. If you choose to drive to Talkeetna, you can park your car at our office. After checking equipment and issuing any items you need, we change into our hiking clothes, store any personal gear, load the van, have lunch, and drive to Alaska Bush flight service at Fish Lake, just south of Talkeetna. After loading the float plane with our gear, we fly 30 minutes to a high alpine lake. Here we unload and set up camp, go for a hike, teach classes, and prepare a hearty dinner. This is a busy day, so please take care of personal business before meeting at 9:00.

Course Progression
At first, hiking distances will be short to grow accustomed to carrying packs and allowing time to learn basic travel skills, such as the rest step, and the use of 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 not move camp and instead climb a small peak or spend time watching wildlife, photographing, or identifying species of wild flowers and plants. The day to day route is not pre-determined, but decided upon in the field in order to maximize flexibility and participant involvement. The last day is spent hiking to our pick up lake and flying back to Talkeetna. Once in Talkeetna, we de-issue rental equipment and clean any group gear.

Course Objectives
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 student:


Safety & Judgment
AMS teaches back country skills which promote the health and safety of all expedition members. Each graduate is expected to:
Demonstrate knowledge of the hazards in a wilderness environment, with emphasis on bear awareness
Demonstrate a good understanding of river crossing techniques
Participate in making sound decisions affecting the health and safety of the expedition
Display knowledge of personal limitations and the judgment to stay within them

Leadership & Teamwork
Students are exposed to theory and practice of outdoor leadership, teamwork and expedition behavior. Each graduate is expected to:
Work effectively as a team member
Demonstrate sound expedition behavior: commitment to the group, a positive attitude, and cooperation to achieve group goals
Effectively communicate ideas and concerns with individuals and in a group
Use decision-making and planning skills to participate fully in a safe and environmentally sound expedition

Environmental Ethics
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:
Consistently perform minimum impact living and traveling skills
Show an understanding, appreciation, and respect for the local natural history
Develop natural history and interpretive skills

Backcountry Skills
AMS courses teach and practice backcountry skills that are safe for the individual and environment. We expect graduates to:
Live comfortably and efficiently in a mountain environment, learning to camp, cook, and dress for a variety of conditions
Travel competently using appropriate map and compass skills, off-trail navigation, and route-finding techniques
Consistently use appropriate bear camping and travel techniques
Demonstrate a good understanding of river crossing techniques
Take responsibility for the organization, maintenance and repair of group and personal equipment
...''

Phone:(907)733-1016

School Address:

Alaska Mountaineering School
PO BOX 566, 3rd Street, Talkeetna, AK 99676, United States
phone: (907)733-1016
fax: (907)733-1362
email: info@climbalaska.org

Jobs & Resumes: Talkeetna
Houses & Roommates: Talkeetna

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