Alaska Leadership Course

On the Alaska Leadership Course, Overland’s experienced leaders offer on-the-trail instruction on what it means to lead, not just in the outdoors, but in any setting. Over the course of four weeks, students will learn new backcountry skills, ice climb the Matanuska glacier and earn a Wilderness First Aid certificate, all while enjoying the spectacular Alaskan landscape.

We’ll start with an exploration of the tundra and lakes of the Talkeetna Mountains for the first of our three backpacking trips. This portion of the course will focus on acquiring the hard skills necessary for outdoor leadership: backcountry skills and awareness, navigation and Leave No Trace practices. Following this first hike, we’ll spend three days with guides learning to ice climb on the Matanuska Glacier. We’ll then head to Denali State Park for a four-day hike along Kesugi Ridge, where we will continue to hone skills learned on our first backpacking section, with magnificent views of Mt. McKinley as our backdrop. We'll then continue north to Talkeetna where we’ll spend two days earning a Wilderness First Aid certificate.

Our third backpacking trip begins in the Chugach Mountains, where we’ll focus on learning how to lead a group and how to work with a co-leader. Each student will co-lead the group for a day, putting planning, navigation and leadership skills to the test, all while under the careful supervision of the Overland leaders. At the end of the course, we’ll return to Anchorage to celebrate our time together. As we say goodbye to our group and the Alaskan wilderness, we will take with us a newfound understanding of what it means to be a leader.

"Alaska Leadership Course was awesome." Josh Lee, Short Hills, New Jersey

Highlights

• Learn leadership skills
• Study backcountry navigation
• Backpack the Talkeetna & Chugach Mountains
• Earn a Wilderness First Aid certificate
• Learn to ice climb

Grade

For students completing grades 10-12 in June 2013
Multiple groups organized by grade

Each group is limited to 10 students

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability

Challenge Level

9 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Anchorage, Alaska

Dates

4 Weeks

Saturday, June 29 to Friday, July 26

Fees

$5095

What the trip fee includes:

• All meals, group gear, accommodations, activities and transportation during the trip

What the trip fee doesn't include:

• Personal gear and clothing (see packing list)
• Airfare to and from the trip start and end (see flight and travel details)
• Trip insurance (recommended; learn more about the benefits)

“I love Blake and Katie as friends and leaders." Quentin Cohan, New York, New York

Trip Details

Here is a description of Alaska Leadership Course from one of Overland’s Logistics Coordinators:

“Alaska is like no other place in the lower 48. When you arrive in Anchorage and see the Chugach Mountains just outside of the city, rising 5,000 feet directly from the ocean, you know that you are entering a backpacker’s dream. At times, you’ll be only a few miles from the main road, but as you look up at glacier-draped peaks, jagged ridges, valleys of tundra and fireweed…you’ll feel like you’re the first person to ever lay eyes on this magnificent terrain. Alaska is the perfect location for a leadership training course; the variety of terrain and the challenges you’ll face throughout your month together will prepare you for almost anything. Your days will be spent on the trail, practicing new skills and working with your group to learn how to work within and lead a successful group. Days will be long and challenging, but you will come away with an array of new skills and an unforgettable month of hiking in the most amazing and pristine wilderness you’ll ever set foot in.”

“Connor loved the trip.  He came back so happy” Patricia Farren, Chappaqua, New York

Itinerary shown below subject to change

Days 1 & 2: Trip Start

We'll meet in Anchorage and spend our first couple of days getting to know one another and preparing for our backcountry hiking. We’ll check over our gear, learn how to pack our backpacks, shop for food and explore the majestic Chugach Mountains on a day hike.

Days 3-8: Backpacking the Talkeetna Mountains

From Anchorage, we’ll head into the Talkeetna Mountains for the first of two backpacking trips. We’ll hike through valleys and over passes across the Alaskan tundra and camp at remote lakes. This portion of the trip will focus on acquiring the hard skills necessary for leadership as Overland's leaders guide students through interactive seminars. We’ll learn Leave No Trace ethics, bear awareness, map and compass skills as well as other essential backcountry skills. Averaging six to seven miles per day on the trail, our days will be long and full as we learn and practice new skills.

Days 9-11: Ice-Climbing & Glacier Course

Following our first backcountry, we’ll spend three days ice-climbing and learning about how to read a glacier on the beautiful Matanuska Glacier. Our Alaska Mountaineering School instructors will guide us as we learn how to travel across glaciers; equipped with helmets, crampons and ice axes, we will develop the techniques needed to walk in a rope team and read a glacier. In addition to basic ice-climbing skills, we'll learn to tie knots, climb and rappel on the glacier.

Days 12-16: Backpacking Kesugi Ridge

After ice climbing, we’ll return to Palmer where we’ll get a chance to dry out and do laundry while prepping for our next back country section. We’ll then drive north to Denali State Park, where we’ll begin our four day hike along Kesugi Ridge. Averaging seven to eight miles per day, we’ll continue to put into practice the skills we learned in the Talkeetnas.

Days 17 & 18: Wilderness First Aid

After our Kesugi Ridge hike, we’ll head north to Talkeetna, a small town that will serve as our base for our Wilderness First Aid course. Under the guidance of a SafetyEd instructor, we’ll spend two days learning how to manage first aid emergencies in the backcountry. During this 16-hour course, we’ll learn first aid techniques imperative for backcountry travel and work through scenarios to help us implement what we have learned in the classroom. Upon successful completion of the course, we'll each receive a Wilderness First Aid certificate from SafetyEd.

Days 19-28: Backpacking the Chugach Mountains & Trip End

From Talkeetna, we’ll return south to Palmer, where we’ll prep for our third and final backcountry section. We’ll then head to the rugged Chugach Mountains to take on an eight-day backcountry hike, over more challenging terrain. Averaging five to six miles per day, we'll hike up braided riverbeds, over passes, along ridges covered with soft tundra and through fields of blueberry bushes and fireweed. We'll once again dedicate time each day to learning new skills—this time we’ll focus on some of the subtler aspects of leading: how to develop a personal leadership style, cultivate successful group dynamics and foster a good co-leader relationship. For the last few days of this backcountry section, each student will co-lead the group for a day, putting planning, navigation and leadership skills to the test all while under the careful supervision of their Overland leaders. This is a great opportunity to see what it's like to lead a group within a comfortable, supportive atmosphere; you will see different leadership styles in action and learn not only from your Overland leaders, but also from your peers.

At the end of the trip, we’ll head back to Anchorage to celebrate our month of leadership training and summer adventure in the great Alaskan wilderness--a trip with value and resonance that extend far beyond the boundaries of a single summer!

“Great leaders!"  Leah Freundlich, Short Hills, New Jersey

Accommodations

• 15 nights of backcountry camping: 5 nights in the Talkeetna Mountains, 3 nights along the Kesugi Ridge and 7 nights in the Chugach Mountains. 
• 10 nights of frontcountry camping with a range of facilities; some have outhouses while others have flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities.
• 2 nights in a hostel in Anchorage at trip start and end. These are dormitory style accommodations with showers and laundry available. Rooms are divided by gender.

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Preparing For The Hiking

Your trip will be significantly more enjoyable if you have a good level of fitness and well-broken-in boots. We cannot overemphasize the importance of well-broken-in boots. There have been students who have had to leave their trips because of blisters from boots that were not well broken in. The training table below is designed to help you properly break in your boots and develop a solid fitness base.

Packing For Your Trip

• Please do not bring cotton clothing to wear while hiking and camping. Cotton absorbs moisture and does not dry out quickly, keeping you cold and wet longer. You will be more comfortable in synthetic (polyester, fleece, wool, etc.) clothing. 
• Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.
• Bring only what you need and pack everything in your backpack or daypack. Participants can bring one additional set of travel clothes (e.g. jeans and a t-shirt) to wear on the plane. These will be left in the van.
• If you are flying to your trip start, you should wear your hiking boots on the plane and carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.
• You will have the chance to do laundry periodically so please stick to the packing list and bring only the clothes and items listed below.
• Overland will rent or provide any specialized gear for any of our non-hiking activities (for example, rock climbing, rafting, mountaineering, or kayaking) and that gear is included in your trip fee.
• Check out some of our favorite brands and retailers to purchase items on this list.
• Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool like a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool.
• If you have any questions, please contact our office at 413-458-9672.

Clothing

• Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Synthetic (No Fleece) Pants
  The fleece should be medium to heavy weight and reasonably compact. Please don't bring jeans or sweatpants.


• Synthetic Long Underwear Top & Bottom
   Two or three tops and one bottom

• Winter Hat & Gloves/Mittens
  For cool nights in camp. Students should bring a second pair of warm waterproof gloves for climbing on snow and ice.


• Packable Synthetic or Down Jacket
  A lightweight, compressible, insulated fleece, Thinsulate or down jacket. Can be 1/4 or full zip. To be used as an additional layer for cold nights in camp.

• Waterproof Rain Jacket and Rain Pants
  Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water resistant). Gore-Tex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabric brands, but there are many to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable.


• Hiking Shorts or Pants
  Two or three pairs. Synthetic only, not cotton. Instead of shorts and gaiters, you may choose to wear pants while hiking to keep mud, water and snow off your legs and boots.


• T-Shirts
  Three synthetic t-shirts


• Underwear
  Five pairs--synthetic recommended


• Socks
  Four pairs of thick wool or synthetic socks made for hiking. Sock liners are optional.

• Camp Shoes
  These can be sport sandals (they must have heel straps for trips with rafting or kayaking), Crocs, or lightweight sneakers to wear around camp when not in your hiking boots.

• Pajamas
  Optional

• Bathing Suit
  Optional
  

Hiking & Camping Equipment

• Hiking Boots
  Waterproof hiking boots that are mid to high cut (recommended price range $100 to $175). Choose a comfortable boot that is designed for hiking with a medium weight pack.


• Backpack
  4,000-5,000 cubic inches. Before you purchase a backpack, find your backpack size by measuring your torso length and your hips. We recommend getting fitted at a store where you can try on a number of different packs. 

• Waterproof Pack Cover
  If your backpack does not come with a cover, choose one that fits your pack well.

• Day Pack
  Your day pack can be used as a carry-on for your flight and will be necessary for day hikes. This can be a very basic backpack, maybe even just your school backpack. You should be able to carry it over both shoulders (i.e., NOT a satchel) and it should be big enough to hold your lunch, 2 water bottles, snacks and some extra warm layers and rain jacket. 

• Sleeping Bag and Stuff Sack
  We recommend a lightweight, compact sleeping bag (synthetic ONLY, no down) that is rated to 15 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Your sleeping bag should compress into a stuff sack which can then be cinched down to 12-20” in length.

• Sleeping Pad
  A full or ¾ length mattress pad that is inflatable or made of closed-cell foam. It should be compact enough to either fit in your pack or be strapped to the outside.

• Bowl, Mug & Utensils
  For meals you will need a 6-8” plastic dish or bowl with a lid. The bowl can be a rigid Tupperware-like material or collapsible. A spoon is all you need but you can bring a spork or a set of lightweight silverware if you’d like. We also recommend a plastic insulated mug to be used for hot drinks.

• Water Bottle
  One 1-liter Nalgene (or similar) water bottle. Overland will provide you with a second water bottle on arrival. A Camelbak or similar water bladder is acceptable.

• Headlamp & Extra Batteries
  While Alaska is the land of the midnight sun, it does get fairly dark in the middle of the night. It’s good to have for mid-night bathroom runs.

• Telescoping Hiking Poles
  Strongly advised--hiking poles are great for stability while hiking, reducing strain on the knees and providing balance while crossing streams or on rough terrain. 


• Gaiters
  Recommended

• Mosquito Head Net
  Required

Miscellaneous Gear

• Towel
  Synthetic camping towels only


• Plastic Bags
  Ten large 1-gallon ziplock bags and four large trash bags. The ziplock bags are used to organize and waterproof your gear and small items. The trash bags are used to line your pack and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad.


• Toiletries
  All items should be travel size. If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.


• Moleskin or Molefoam
  One full package for blister protection

• Sunglasses & Hat with Visor
  Students should have sunglasses that wrap around to protect from the sun reflecting off of the snow and ice.

• Sunscreen (SPF 15+) & Chapstick (with SPF protection)
  Please bring ample amounts of sunscreen

• Insect Repellent
  Please bring ample amounts of bug spray

• Personal Journal or Book
  Optional

• Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
  Optional, but great for documenting the trip. Make sure you bring a large enough memory card (1 to 4 GB).

• Photo Identification
  All students who are flying home should have photo identification


• Spending Money
  $25/week in cash or with a debit or ATM card

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive prepaid cell phone. Please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

 

FAQs

What are the backcountry hikes like?

The first hike is six days in length with an average of six to seven miles each day; the second hike is four days in length with an average of seven to eight miles each day; and the third hike is eight days in length with an average of five to six miles each day. All three backcountry hikes explore some of the most beautiful parts of Alaska and cover a range of landscape types. Although the grandeur of the Alaskan landscape makes you feel like you are in an incredibly remote place, our groups are never more than one day’s hike from a road. Hiking days will be long and at times difficult—the terrain varies and the trails can be muddy and overgrown which can make the hiking slow. Depending on the day, lessons in backcountry and leadership skills will either be taught on the trail or in camp in the morning or at night.

What is the leadership aspect of the trip?

Our leaders will be teaching backcountry and leadership skills throughout the trip both on the trail and in camp. The first backcountry section will focus on hard skills: Leave No Trace practices, bear awareness, map reading and navigation, for example. On the second backcountry, we will focus on leadership skills—how to work with a co-leader, how to manage a group, how to plan a day in the backcountry. Each student will have a chance to lead with another student under the careful supervision of Overland leaders. The trip is designed to provide students with the skills to be a successful outdoor leader as well as give them the opportunity to put these skills to work in a comfortable environment.

What is the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course like?

The WFA course through the Alaska Mountaineering School is a chance for students to learn the basics of wilderness first aid. Students will learn about how to deal with injuries in the backcountry, weather and hypothermia. Students will be presented with scenarios on the second day that they will have to work through, putting all of their newfound knowledge to the test. At the end of the 16-hour course, students will receive a WFA certificate from SafetyEd. 

What is the ice climbing course like?

Our group will spend three days learning the basics of ice climbing on the Matanuska Glacier with professional guides. Our guides will teach us how to tie knots, belay and how to climb using ice axes and crampons. Students will also be taught the basics of glacier travel. During the course, we’ll stay at a frontcountry campsite within sight of the glacier.

What is the weather like?

The weather in Alaska can be variable. Typical summertime highs hover around 60 degrees, with lows in the upper 40s. You will spend some days hiking in shorts and a t-shirt, with sunshine aplenty, but Alaska can also be rainy and cool. Our packing list takes these variable factors into consideration. Layering is the best way to stay warm in cool temperatures and cool in warm temperatures. Please follow the packing list, also paying close attention to rain gear specifications.

What do you do about bears?

All of our leaders are trained in backcountry skills and awareness. Our leaders are instructed in how to set up camp and store food in ways that reduce the chances of attracting unwanted attention from wildlife. Students will be briefed on these routines in the first days of the course. Both of our leaders also carry bear spray in case of an emergency.

How buggy is Alaska?

You should come prepared for some mosquitoes, as Alaska has a wet, rainy climate. Overall, however, the mosquitoes are not any worse than places like Yellowstone or the Sierras. Using bug spray and wearing long sleeve shirts and/or pants usually alleviates most problems.
 

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