to our world. - NOLS

ALASKA
Bryan Palmintier
Being so small in Alaska's big wilderness will magnify your and your coursemates' accomplishments. Turtle Flats, Matanuska Glacier
ALASKA MOUNTAINEERING
This course takes you to a place in Southcentral Alaska often referred
to as “the mountain kingdom of North America,” where a
chain of rugged mountain ranges and spectacular glaciers converge
to make a mountaineer’s dreamscape. Within this region you’ll
explore the coastal Chugach Range, the interior Alaska Range,
or the vast Wrangell-St. Elias Range. The specific route for each
course is entirely season dependent, with expeditions in the early
season climbing mostly above snow line to access terrain via huge
snowfields, and courses operating in the later season completing
technical ice routes on glacier. All routes on the course for students
ages 17 and older are classically Alaskan with long approaches on
large glaciers. The shorter course for students ages 23 and older
flies directly onto a glacier to maximize time for technical skill
development. Both courses provide an ideal training ground for
learning to live and travel responsibly and efficiently in challenging
mountain terrain.
DETAILS
Age and Length:
17 & Over • Average age: 21 • Duration: 30 days
23 & Over • Average age: 29 • Duration: 14 days
Tuition: $5,750 (17 & Over); $3,750 (23 & Over)
Optional College Credit: 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Skills Practicum,
2 hours Risk Management (17 & Over); 2 hours Skills Practicum (23 & Over)
Dates: page 106
DENALI MOUNTAINEERING
(Alumni only) The highest peak in North America—known
as Denali or “Great One” by Alaska Natives—is the site for
this expedition designed for qualified NOLS graduates.
Denali offers extremely challenging glacier travel and some
of the most difficult weather in the world, so this course is
one of the most demanding NOLS offers, both physically
and mentally. During the course you’ll attempt to climb the
Muldrow Glacier route on the north side of the mountain. The
expedition begins with several days of tundra hiking followed
by navigating up the lower expanses of the Muldrow Glacier.
After a resupply at McGonagall Pass, you’ll continue up the
Muldrow, encountering crevasses and deep snow, and ascend
the dramatic Karsten’s Ridge to the Harper Glacier. There you’ll
establish high camp at approximately 17,000 feet, from which
you’ll attempt the 20,320-foot summit. This route has a remote
wilderness flavor that is not found on the more frequented
routes up the mountain.
DETAILS
Age and Length: 18 & Over • Average age: 26 • Duration: 34 days
Eligibility: Qualified NOLS graduates
Tuition: $7,750
Optional College Credit: 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Skills Practicum,
2 hours Risk Management
Dates: page 106
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