Day 1

Flying into Anchorage, over the untamed Alaskan landscape, you’ll quickly realize what an incredible experience you are about to embark upon. Entering the airport, you’ll be greeted by your group leaders as well as be introduced to the rest of your group. From there, everybody will load up into vans and head to our first campsite only a few minutes outside of Anchorage. Our first night together is always a great time had by all, as we set up our tents for the first time, talk about our approaching trips, hang out, and really get to know each other.

Days 2-10

Shouldering our packs, we’ll set out into the backcountry for eight fabulous days. Traveling shorter distances at first will give us more time to go over some of the more important skills and practices essential in backcountry travel. While brushing up on our backcountry cooking skills, minimum impact camping techniques, as well as map and compass skills, we’ll travel mostly off of the beaten path through the spectacular alpine tundra. High up in the Talkeetnas, we’ll be privileged to share the land with caribou, Dall Sheep, and maybe even Grizzly bear. We’ll also have the opportunity to perfect our leadership skills as everyone has the opportunity to lead the group and make important daily decisions. As we approach the end of our backpacking trip, we’ll be traveling greater distances as well as have become experts at off-trail navigation and travel. 

Days 11-13

Upon exiting the Talkeetnas, we'll enjoy the chance to take warm showers and do our laundry before beginning our Wilderness First Aid Course. A two-day intensive course designed specifically to teach necessary skills to leading groups in the out of doors, the Wilderness First Aid Certification is a must-have in any outdoor leader's toolbox of skills and credentials. The hands-on course is also a wonderful bonding experience for everyone in the entire group, and the skills you learn will empower you for life. After completing this valuable course, we'll make preperations for our second excursion into the backcountry – this time on the waters of Price William Sound.   

Days 14-19

Beginning at Whittier, Alaska we’ll start our kayaking tour out into the pristine nautical environment of the Prince William Sound. Prince William Sound is phenomenally known for its spectacular wildlife including whales, seals, otters, and Bald Eagles; all creatures we can hope and expect to see. Each day we’ll cover the water as we paddle from secluded campsite to campsite while exploring the numerous side-channels and enormous glaciers that calve into the water before us! While we’re out on the water, we’ll also acquire crucial kayaking knowledge such as ocean ecology as well as how to read tide charts. Finally, on our last day on the water, we’ll be picked up by a shuttle boat and taxied back to bustling Whittier. 

Days 20-21

Our final evening together will be spent enjoying our celebratory group banquet. A great time to have fun together and reminisce about our adventures one last time, for the following morning everyone must part ways. It’s truly been a remarkable past several weeks, but it certainly is encouraging to know that as you depart it’s with a heart full of memories and new friends to last a lifetime.