This is a two-week backpacking course in Alaska. It takes place a little later in the summer and is a great way to see the mountains of Alaska without needing the gear for snow and glacier travel. Ideal students for this course are fit motivated and ready for any thing. Alaska weather can be unpredictable.

Your course will take place in the Kenai Mountains of the Chugach (pronounced chew-gash) Range of south central Alaska. Bounded by the Gulf of Alaska to the south, this coastal range extends along the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage; the area has been described as a "miniature Alaska", made up of a mixture of ice fields and glacial valleys, rugged mountains and rocky shorelines, sandy beaches and glaciers. All types of Alaska's habitat can be found: tundra, alpine, rivers, wetlands and forest. They are home to wolves, lynx, beavers, caribou, wolverines, black and brown (grizzly) bears, Dall sheep, salmon, trout, mountain goats, bald eagles and numerous other small birds and mammals. With 18 to 20 hours days, daylight will be the rule, with a golden glow for the twilight of the night sky. All living things will be in full activity for the burst of summer.

The Outward Bound Difference

Throughout the course, you will explore important aspects of Outward Bound, including growth and learning found in every activity you undertake. You will learn five important Outward Bound values: sticking to what you start; giving to others; showing spirit even when the going gets tough; solving problems; and most importantly, caring for others and working as a team. You may find that the most important lessons are as much about learning backcountry skills as they are learning about yourself and your community. Successful completion of your course demands mastery of skills, trust, fitness, confidence, tenacity, leadership, initiative and compassion. The promotion of these qualities, and the discovery of what's in you, is the purpose of Outward Bound.

This course may be the hardest thing you have ever done. Outward Bound philosophy maintains that by facing the challenges the course will offer you, you will emerge physically and mentally stronger, with an increased mastery of expedition skills as well as a better understanding of your own capabilities. We think that the payoff is well worth the work, but you should be aware of what you're getting into and excited about tackling the challenges. 

Service & Compassion

Outward Bound courses are team environments where you and your group work closely together to travel, navigate and camp together every day.  Group living can be challenging. Inevitably students learn about one key facet of human interaction; compassion.  Throughout Outward Bound’s 60-year history we strove to deliver new perspective on compassion and being of service to others.  Today most courses in clued a half to a full day of community service and we hope that your experience with us translates into a desire to engage in service to others when you return home.

Course Description

Experience America's last frontier in very real and elemental setting. People from around the world travel to gaze at the Alaskan Wilderness every summer. You will learn skills in light weight campcraft, communication, leadership, navigation, natural history, and more, as you develop a strong spirit of camaraderie with your team. Travel primarily on established trails as you journey through the wilderness, camping at high alpine lakes and along pristine mountain streams. Scramble up a peak or two, and follow in the steps of early Alaskan explorers. This course Includes solo and final expedition.

To enroll in this course click the enroll button next to the course dates that work for you. To shop comparatively on line visit our Advanced Course Finder or better yet call one of our expert Admission Advisers at 866-467-7651. Course tuitions do not include our Application Fee or Transportation Fee.