Chugach Youth Backpacking Trip Near Anchorage, AK

Total Trip length: 3 days

Embark on an unforgettable youth backpacking journey in the breathtaking Chugach State Park Front Range wilderness! Our adventure is designed to immerse young explorers in the wonders of this stunning landscape, brimming with hidden valleys carved out by glaciers, majestic ridgelines, and alpine lakes waiting to be discovered.

This experience is a comprehensive blend of education and adventure, where youth will have the opportunity to work on both general backpacking and wilderness skills in addition to developing their wilderness first aid toolkit. While out in this beautiful space, youth will also learn about alpine ecology, as our knowledgeable guides unveil the intricate web of life thriving in this rugged terrain.

Space is limited – apply today.

2024 Dates:

June 6-8 July 12-14
August 9-11

Age cohorts 10-13 and 14-17

This expedition caters to two distinct age groups, fostering teamwork and camaraderie as each cohort tackles challenges together. Whether aged 10-13 or 14-17, every participant will emerge from this journey with newfound skills, confidence, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in the Chugach State Park Front Range Wilderness!

Difficulty description:

Level: Level 1 to 2 Elevation: 2,500 to 4,500 feet of elevation gain per trip. Terrain type: The longer mileage, sustained uphills, and sometimes steep uphill sections make this a more burly adventure for youth - no backpacking experience is needed, but our youth cohorts of 10-13 and 14-17 will face physical challenges, carrying backpacks that weigh up to 30% of their body weight, and should be physically ready for trekking up to 10 miles/day with up to 2500 feet of elevation gain, over terrain that is uneven, solid and loose rocks, and sometimes steep. The second day will likely be a day hike, carrying a day pack, of up to 10 miles with a potential of 3,000 feet of elevation gain. This trip will be challenging, fun, and give youth the opportunity to level up their skills in the field of outdoor leadership and adventure!

Pack Weight: A backpacking set-up means students carry up to 30% of their body weight, typically a 20-35 pound pack, while a small daypack for our day hikes is typically up to 15 pounds.

Start/End

Anchorage, AK

Cost: $1168

Guides and Group Sizes

Each trip has 2 guides co-leading and one designated logistics coordinator/support guide. Max. Enrollment: 12 participants MIn. Enrollment: 8 Participants Guide to Student Ratio: 1:6

Questions? Email us! hello@intothewoodsalaska.com

General Itinerary

We will email out the detailed itineraries and participant handbook once registration is complete. The following is a rough itinerary of the dates and pre-trip meetings we expect our participants to attend prior to the trip start date.

Pre-Trip virtual info session and introductions: TBA, typically 30 days prior to the trip start date. Pre-Trip Packing and Pizza Party: Day before trip start date. Participants will pack up their bags with guidance from lead guides, and leave all bags and supplies at our HQ for loading the next morning. Departure to Trailhead: Day 1 of the trip. Arrive at HQ at 9:30am - final packing, loading the vans, depart for Trailhead. Pick up at Trailhead and post-trip pizza party at HQ: Final day of trip - van pick-up at trailhead, return to HQ for trip slideshow and pizza party.

End of Season Pizza Party If you’re still in Alaska, join us in September for our end of the season Pizza Party and Slideshow. Participants have a chance to meet up with friends they made on their course and make new friends from other courses we ran over the summer. We’ll send an email in August to participants with the date and time of our end-of-season party!

Lesson plans and itineraries are subject to change based on guide discretion, accounting for group needs and other factors out of our control, like environmental conditions, with safety always being our top priority.

Inclusions

Our goal for all field courses and multi-day wilderness experiences is for participants to be ready to embark on adventure - we provide much of the gear and supplies for trips, while participants bring their own personal gear. Let us know once registration is complete and we send out the packing lists if there is any personal gear you’ll need help with from us.

Meals, Hydration, and Dietary Needs We provide all dietary needs for trip participants and can accommodate most dietary restrictions and allergies. We also provide all water filtration equipment.

Cooking Equipment and Utensils We provide all stoves, gas, pots, and related equipment.

Tents and shelters, and select gear upon request We provide all tents and shelters and can provide some sleeping bags and backpacking backpacks and daypacks. Once registration is complete, let us know what gear you’ll be needing.

Curriculum supplies and materials We provide specialty equipment and gear for instruction, like wilderness first aid gear, ropes and climbing hard goods, paddling equipment and life jackets, etc.

Exclusions

Personal Gear: Participants will have their own backpacking backpack and daypacks, clothing items, footwear, eating utensils and mugs, water bottles, personal hygiene and personal first aid kit, and any personal safety equipment like harnesses and helmets. The goal is to get participants set up for their next adventure with almost everything they would need for a trip, minus the shared group supplies we list above. We do have some gear items available for use on a first come, first served basis.

Specialty Food Items If a participant wants to bring a specialty food item that is not part of what we are providing, they can discuss it with the instructor/guide at our pre-trip packing meet-up. There are some food items we will not allow - any salmon-related items or very strong fish-smelling items, for example. Let us know as much in advance as you can - we are happy to accommodate many dietary restrictions and needs and support people where possible.

More Info and What to Pack

Your ITWAK Guides leading the course will send out gear lists and more detailed itineraries after registration is confirmed via our final application questionnaire and the 25% deposit has been made. If you have any questions about types of gear or need to borrow/rent gear items, we may be able to accommodate with enough advance notice. If you have other questions about this course before you decide to book, please email us at hello@intothewoodsalaska.com or use the “contact us” link in our website header at www.intothewoodsalaska.com, and we’ll do our best to reply to you as quickly as possible.

Participant “Need-to-Read” prior to Booking

The Physical, Emotional, and Mental load of Multi-day Field Courses Regardless of the level of the course, all wilderness multi-day trips with ITWAK are remote experiences which can be potentially days away from definitive medical care. Participants in ITWAK expeditions sleep outdoors, share tents with 1-4 others, prepare their own meals, and face varying weather conditions. Each student must take responsibility for themselves.

Students should expect physically and/or emotionally challenging days, with backpacking courses involving carrying loads up to 30% of their body weight, sometimes more for climbing and mountaineering, or winter courses, over rugged terrain.

ITWAK is not a wilderness therapy or rehabilitation program and is not suitable for addressing substance use nor for treating behavioral and psychological conditions. Prior physical and mental conditioning and a positive mindset are essential for the demanding experience of a wilderness field course. Our courses and trips are not suitable for participants who have struggled to maintain stability in normal daily activities like work or school due to psychological and/or behavioral health conditions within the last year, or have been in a residential treatment facility within the last 2 years.

Prohibited at all of our tours, programs, and courses: alcohol, drugs, tobacco, e-cigarettes or vaping-type products, firearms or weapons of any kind.