"You safely and successfully trained personnel with various experience and operational backgrounds while far off trail and with only natural resources. Your attention to detail and proficiency allowed for all of the students to successfully complete the course"
-Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, 2013
Course Overview
This course focuses on preparing students to safely traverse backcountry and wilderness areas. Students will learn safe hiking practices, how to set up and break down camps, how to deal with dangerous animal encounters, and so much more.
Essential wilderness survival and wilderness first aid skills will also be covered, to ensure the student is prepared to face any emergencies they may encounter on the trail.
All experience levels are welcome. This course is designed to be approachable, and to give students with little to no backcountry experience the confidence to begin exploring wilderness areas. No experience is necessary, however, you should have a basic level of fitness; we will be hiking 10-12 miles per day with an approx 30lbs pack, use your discretion.
Course Curriculum
*We will average 10-12 miles of hiking per day. A total of 39 miles will be covered.
*Students will receive a Red Cross Wilderness First Aid Certification
*Water treatment. We will be using water purifiers in the field, and will assist students with water purification.
*Site selection, setting up and breaking down camp. We will assist students in deploying their tents, mats, etc.
*Dangerous animal encounters
*Backcountry weather considerations
*Meal planning. We will assist students with meal preparation as well.
*Basic wilderness survival skills
*Gear selection
*and more! We will explore the natural landscape and wildlife, and learn, learn, learn!
We’ve got your back. Our instructors/guides will assist you every step of the way, and do their best to answer any questions you have about the field. We are the experts at making yiou the expert.
Travel:
The nearest international airport: Anchorage, Alaska. We offer free pick up and drop off from Anchorage to the training location. We pick up at the Anchorage visitors center (546 W 4th Ave) at 8am the day of the course. To ensure timely operations, there are no alternative pickup or meeting spots. We drop off at the same locations on the final day. We strongly recommend not booking a return flight home for anytime before 6 pm of the final day (if you do intend to depart Alaska on the same day that the course ends), as we will have you back in Anchorage by 4pm the final day.
Gear & Food Options
Have A Bear Can Waiting (rental): $25
Meal Package: We can accommodate vegan and vegetarian diets, however, if you have any known food allergies you must bring your own meals for safety purposes. Our meal package primarily consists of; Mountain House brand backpacker meals, granola bars, and dried fruit. $175
Gear Package: 1-2 person backpacking tent, 55 liter or larger backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, backpacker stove and fuel, headlamp, water bottle. Does not include meals or bear can. (This is yours to keep, not a rental) $850
Elite Gear Package: Though all gear packages feature high quality highly functional gear, this package consists of the most elite brands in the industry. Tent, 55L or larger backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, backpacker stove and fuel, headlamp, water bottle, rain jacket & pants, food/snacks. (This is yours to keep, not a rental) $2750 INCLUDES BEAR CAN RENTAL. We will contact you upon purchase for rain gear, sleeping mat, and tent sizing preferences.
Logistics
Location
Chickaloon-Knik-Nelchina Trail System. Just outside Palmer Alaska, approximately 90min from Anchorage.
Price
$950 Per person
(12 Person Maximum)
2024 Date
Click the date to register
July 12-15 2024
4 Days/3 Nights
Upon booking you will automatically receive a receipt. This receipt contains a link to download all of your course attendance info, including gear requirements, driving directions, and more.
What to bring:
A 55 Liter or larger backpack
Hiking boots (no shoes or sandals, they must be above the ankle for safety)
A backpacking tent
A sleeping bag rated to 45F or lower
Tents and sleeping bags can be rented at your local REI store, including the Anchorage REI location.
A sleeping pad/mat
Two Liters of water carrying capacity or more. Non disposable water bottles or bladers (camelbaks) are suitable.
Rain Pants & Jacket
Headlamp
Meals and Snacks. We recommend Mountain House & Peak Brands Freeze Dried Meals (we can provide meals/snacks for an optional $175 per person)
A bear can for food storage. Bear cans are available for rent at many local REI locations.
Contact the local Anchorage REI for inexpensive rentals of just about any gear on this list. They generally have tons of bear cans in stock as well. Be sure to call ahead: (907) 272-4565
A sunhat and sunglasses are recommended, but not mandatory.
Feel free to call us for advice on your gear. +1 805 441 7750
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