Packrafting is at the forefront of Alaskan exploration and NOLS is right there with it. Designed for students 18 and over, this 30-day land- and water-based expedition uses packrafts—single-person inflatable rafts weighing four pounds each—to open up some of the world's most remote country that would be otherwise inaccessible to overland travel. With this equipment and the help of experienced instructor teams, you will navigate the rivers of the eastern Alaska Range and the Talkeetna Mountains. On this self-sustained monthlong expedition, you'll learn how to live comfortably in the backcountry, hike through mountains and across tundra, and paddle your packraft through Class II rapids. You might even see Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves, and black and grizzly bears along the way.
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What Our Grads Say
“The instructor team modeled exceptional risk-assessment, communication, responisiblity and patience on a daily basis and I quickly learned to trust their judgment of my abilities when I doubted myself. I have always been somwhat stubborn and independent, but on several occassions, NOLS left me with no choice but to admit I had to ask for help. And each time was met with a positive response from those who were happy to help, for my sake and for the sake of the group. I also found myself doing things that I never would have considered possible, because I had to, because I was determined to finish the expedtion, and because I had leaders who had demonsgtrated that they could be trusted to challenge us with full consideration for the group's safety.”