Photo Credit: Adam Swisher

Backpacking Wyoming’s Wind River Traverse – Alumni

Backpacking Wyoming’s Wind River Traverse – Alumni

Join a group of NOLS grads and instructors for a week of incredible hiking on a challenging traverse of Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains.

This backpacking trip will be fast-paced and high-mileage and will travel through the heart of Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains and cross the Continental Divide, potentially multiple times. Elevations will be consistently above 10,000′ (with likely opportunities to exceed 13,000′) and include high mountain passes, boulder fields, possible peak ascents, established trails, and, in general, glorious alpine splendor!

You will  start  and end  in Lander, Wyoming, the home of NOLS’ World Headquarters and NOLS the Rocky Mountain Campus. This is the historic home of NOLS and the town and the school have been intertwined for over 50 years.

On this trip you will focus  on fine-tuning backcountry travel and living skills, such as map reading, route finding/navigation, cooking, and fishing. This trip will be a both a rigorous and spectacular experience; be prepared for long days, heavy packs, burning lungs, and sore muscles, but also for jaw-dropping views of some of the Rocky Mountains’ lesser-known secrets.

Depending on your NOLS connection, you might be re-acquainted with NOLS backpacking techniques or learning them for the first time in a convivial, relaxing and visually stunning location.

PHY 4

Sleep 5

Weather 3

Overall Difficulty*:

Level 5

*This challenging trip includes boulder fields, high mountain passes and off-trail travel.

Resources & Downloads
Details

Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025

Lander, WY

Duration

9 days

Age

17+ yrs

Skill Options
Start/End

Lander, Wyoming

Fly In/Out

Casper, Wyoming