Alaska Mountaineering
Alaska Mountaineering
Explore North America’s mountain kingdom
Find your next adventure in the rugged terrain of southcentral Alaska, nicknamed the “mountain kingdom of North America.” Build your mountaineering skills while exploring the coastal Chugach Range, interior Alaska Range, or vast Wrangell-St. Elias Range. Enjoy nearly 24 hours of daylight as you travel across sweeping expanses of tundra, massive glaciers, and towering peaks.
Starting with the basics, like snow camping and cooking on a camp stove, you’ll learn how to live comfortably in an alpine environment. Develop the skills you need to travel on snow and ice on foot, crampon, ski, or snowshoe. Dive into our time-tested climbing curriculum, beginning with knot-tying and rope handling, and working your way up to rope team travel, self-arrest, and belaying. As the course and your skills progress, move on to more advanced topics, like avalanche hazard assessment, route finding on glaciers, and crevasse rescue.
At the same time, expand your leadership skills. Practice effective communication and risk management while leading a rope team. Build your problem-solving and decision-making skills while route finding on a glacier. Learn conflict resolution strategies and how to support a team in different roles. Return with the experience and confidence to lead in the mountains and beyond.
Resources & Downloads
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Duration
30 days
Age
16+ yrs
6 College Credits
- 2 Risk Assessment
- 2 Skills Practicum
- 2 Environmental Studies
1.5 High School Credits
- 1 Physical Education
- 0.5 Leadership
Equipment Deposit
$500
Start/End
Palmer, Alaska
Fly In/Out
Anchorage, Alaska
Financial aid & Scholarships
NOLS supports a variety of outside financial aid options:
- AmeriCorps
- 529 College Savings Plans
- Veteran's Benefits (In Wyoming only)
If you are fluent in American Sign Language or Signed Exact English, you may be eligible to receive a full scholarship to your wilderness medicine course.