Do I need prior navigation experience?

No prior experience is necessary; guides will teach basic skills suitable for beginners and up.

What if weather conditions are adverse?

The seminar is flexible, and guides can adjust the curriculum to ensure safety in inclement weather.

Is the activity suitable for children?

Yes, the seminar is open to all ages, but participants should be able to walk moderate distances.

What should I bring with me?

Bring layered clothing, water, snacks, and any personal navigation tools you’d like to practice.

Are rental gear options available?

Guides may provide some gear, but it’s best to check in advance or bring your own sturdy gear.

How physically demanding is the seminar?

It’s moderate effort, focusing on learning specific skills rather than intense hiking.

Backcountry Skills Seminar with St. Elias Alpine Guides in McCarthy

Situated in the rugged terrains of McCarthy, Alaska, St. Elias Alpine Guides offers a hands-on opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to sharpen their backcountry navigation skills. This 9-hour Backcountry Skills Seminar dives into the essentials of navigating Alaska’s vast, wild landscape—an ideal experience for adventurers eager to deepen their understanding of terrain management and safety in remote settings.

McCarthy is a gateway to the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States, renowned for its towering peaks, expansive glaciers, and carved valleys. As participants traverse this dramatic landscape, they learn to read topographical maps, sharpen their compass skills, and gain confidence in planning multi-day trips through some of the most formidable wilderness in North America. This particular seminar stands out because it’s welcoming to all ages and skill levels, making it perfect for families, aspiring outdoor guides, or seasoned hikers seeking a refresher.

Throughout the day, seasoned guides elbow their way through the rugged terrain, sharing safety practices and instruction that could transform a casual hike into a safe, enriching adventure. The course emphasizes practical application—students gain survival techniques, route-finding strategies, and a greater appreciation for Alaska’s raw beauty.

What makes St. Elias Alpine Guides truly special is their intimate knowledge of the park’s complex landscape and their commitment to responsible outdoor recreation. Their focus on sustainability and environmental awareness ensures that future generations can enjoy the same wild landscapes. Whether you’re gearing up for an Alaskan expedition or simply interested in honing your wilderness skills, this seminar offers a compelling way to connect more deeply with one of North America’s most stunning regions.

About St. Elias Alpine Guides

St. Elias Alpine Guides is a guiding company based in McCarthy, Alaska, offering guided adventures throughout Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and surrounding wilderness. The company leads a range of trips including packrafting, multi-day rafting, glacier hiking, ice climbing, fly-in hiking, and private basecamp expeditions. Popular itineraries include Doubtful–Nizina Packrafting, Tebay Lakes Basecamp Packrafting, Chitina River trips, Western Copper River rafting, Raft and Flightsee, Full-Day Glacier Hike on Root Glacier, Skolai Pass fly-in hiking, Bremner Mine basecamp hiking, and multi-day Ice Climbing and Ice Climbing Camp programs.

Trips are available as scheduled group departures or fully private, customizable experiences with options for day trips and multi-day expeditions. Many itineraries accommodate families and groups; for example, Chitina River trips welcome guests ages eight and up and Western Copper River trips can include children as young as three. Several trips conclude with scenic bush plane flights or operate from remote fly-in access points.

St. Elias Alpine Guides emphasizes small-group guiding, route planning, and trip customization to match client skill levels and objectives. Guides provide logistics, gear guidance, and route choices appropriate to each itinerary. Booking information lists fixed departures for some trips and private-date options for others, with clear descriptions of duration and difficulty. The company’s offerings focus on authentic wilderness experiences in McCarthy, Root Glacier, Tebay Lakes, the Copper River corridor, and surrounding Alaskan river systems.

Clients can select multi-day basecamps, day hikes, guided ice-climbing instruction, or combined raft-and-flightsee itineraries to tailor pace, challenges, and family needs. Booking details and gear lists.