ALASKA

Backpacking in Denali State Park

Composed of lowland streams, alpine tundra, and high mountain ridges, Denali State Park’s diverse landscape offers the perfect opportunity for building our backpacking skills in a safe and unique setting. We take a day to make final preparations and discuss important leadership and wilderness components, and then don our backpacks for a five-day trek along the wildflower-covered K’esugi Ridge Trail with panoramic views of the Alaska Range to the west and the Talkeetna Range to the east. As we hike we watch bald eagles soar over our heads and might also spot Dall sheep, moose, arctic foxes, and caribou in the distance. Gaining the ridge, we bask in stunning views, and if the skies are clear, we find the massive Denali looming over us. Along the way, we apply important Leave No Trace principles and wilderness ethics, while building our self-confidence and leadership abilities.

Arrival in Anchorage & Orientation

Leaving home far behind, participants are met by their leaders at the Anchorage airport. Our first destination is our campground on the outskirts of Anchorage where we spend time getting to know each other through introductory games and activities. Here in the “Land of the Midnight Sun” the sun doesn’t set until close to midnight in Anchorage. This gives us lots of time to get to know each other, introduce ARCC’s comprehensive leadership activities, and discuss our personal and group goals for our epic Alaska adventure.

Ice Climbing & Glacier Hiking

Braided glacial rivers, endless snowfields, jagged peaks, and ancient glaciers dominate the landscape during the next stage of our adventure. Partnering with a local guiding service we get the unique opportunity to explore the Matanuska Glacier while further building our technical skills. Through guided instruction, we learn the art of glacier travel and ice-climbing, including using an ice ax, tying specialty knots, and belaying your adventure partners. At night we make our way to our riverside campsite and watch the midnight sun reflect off a landscape of ice that we will never forget. Past students have raved about glacier climbing as one of the most unique and exciting activities they have ever done!

Denali National Park & Whitewater Rafting

With more than 6 million acres of protected land and only one ribbon of road throughout the entire park, we immerse ourselves entirely in the wilds of Alaska – and at its heart towers Denali. Taken from the Tanana Indian word meaning “The High One,” Denali holds a special place in the hearts of many adventurers and those who have called these wildlands home for thousands of years. We board park service buses and travel the lonely road deep into the park, watching the landscape turn from Taiga Forest to high tundra and snowy mountains. We learn about this unique and wild landscape from a trained naturalist and keep our eyes peeled for amazing wildlife like moose, caribou and grizzly bears. We can step off the bus anywhere we like along the way to hike and explore, and then hop onto the next bus to continue our journey.

Hiking in the park is fun, but next we explore the Denali landscape in a different way, from the waters of the beautiful Nenana River. We begin our day with a calm and scenic float through the Denali landscape but by afternoon we drop into the Nenana Canyon to tackle thrilling rapids such as “Razorback”, “Coffee Grinder”, and “Ice Worm”.

Backpack in the Shadow of Mt. Denali

From Anchorage we travel north to Denali State Park where we get our first real taste of Alaska’s famous wild landscapes and a front row view of Denali, North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet. Composed of lowland streams, alpine tundra, and high mountain ridges, Denali State Park’s diverse landscape is the perfect setting for our first adventure. We take a day to make final preparations and discuss important leadership and wilderness components, and then don our backpacks for a five-day trek along wildflower-covered ridges with panoramic views of the Alaska Range to the west and the Talkeetna Range to the east. As we hike we watch bald eagles soar over our heads and might also spot Dall sheep, arctic foxes, and caribou in the distance. Gaining the ridge, we bask in stunning views, and if the skies are clear, we have a front row seat to the massive Denali looming over us.

Sea Kayaking in Prince William Sound

Traveling south, we reach the blue fjords and protected waters of Prince William Sound. The Sound’s 4,400 mile coastline is a labyrinth of bays and estuaries and plays host to one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. Under the care of our professional sea kayaking guides, we learn paddling techniques, then spend our days exploring these extraordinary waters as we paddle alongside verdant forests, and watch for seals and otters playing not far from our boats. If we’re lucky, we may even spot a black bear fishing for salmon in one of the many pristine glacial rivers that cascade into the sound.

Kenai Peninsula & Kenai Fjords National Park

The last leg of our journey takes us to the beautiful Kenai Peninsula, a pristine landscape of misty temperate rainforests, glacier-capped mountains and rugged coastlines. The picturesque harbor town of Seward is our home base for this section, which includes a day hike up Exit Glacier to see panoramic views of the massive Harding Icefield, a landscape of ice stretching as far as the eye can see. We visit the Alaska SeaLife Aquarium, then embark on a guided ferry tour into Kenai Fjords National Park, for up-close viewing of calving glaciers and the chance to spot humpback and orca whales, puffins, otters, porpoises, and sea lions.

Our adventure eventually comes to an end back in Anchorage where we celebrate our incredible foray into one of the most remote places in North America and with Alaska forever stamped on our hearts.