Alaska Alumni Trip

This summer, immerse yourself once again in the beauty of the natural world, refine your wilderness skills, meet new friends, reconnect with fellow alumni, and take your leadership skills to the next level. This summer the High Mountain Institute will be offering its first ever trip in Alaska for recent graduates of the Rocky Mountain Semester & the Leading Edge program. The trip will be run in partnership with Alaska Mountaineering School (AMS) in Talkeetna, Alaska.

Trip Start
After our arrival in Anchorage, we'll travel by van to AMS's headquarters in Talkeetna, Alaska where we'll spend a couple of days getting to know each other and preparing for our upcoming expedition. We'll check over our gear, pack our rations, and refresh our wilderness skills. We'll also revisit aspects of HMI's well-established leadership curriculum and introduce a couple of new elements. Once our packs are packed, we'll travel by van to the start of our backcountry hike marveling at the scenery as we go.

Backpacking Alaska's rugged backcountry
East of Denali National Park and north of the Chugach Mountains lie the Talkeetna Mountains. The Talkeetnas are home to breathtaking scenery, great opportunities for wildlife observation, and exceptional hiking through remote trail-less areas. We'll spend seventeen days exploring this beautiful rugged landscape. We'll learn how to adapt our wilderness skills to Alaska's distinct environment and how to hike on arctic tundra. During the expedition, though the three instructors will remain actively involved, students will have increased ownership and independence in order to give ample opportunities for leadership. As the trip progresses, we'll begin to rely on students as teachers as well as learners. Independent student travel is possible.

Trip End
After our extended backpacking trip, we'll return to AMS's headquarters for one final day together as a group before flying home. We'll use this final day to relax, reflect on our experience, and celebrate all that we have accomplished in the land of the Midnight Sun.

Frequently asked questions:
Who should register?
The Alaska trip is for recent graduates of the Rocky Mountain Semester or Leading Edge who are currently in high school (grades 10-12). We set up the expedition for students interested in further developing their wilderness and leadership skills, or for those who have an interest in becoming wilderness instructors in the future.

How many students and instructors will be in the group?
The group will consist of 8-12 recent alumni, an instructor from Alaska Mountaineering School, and one or two instructors from HMI.

What are the dates?
Saturday, June 26 - Saturday, July 17, 2010. Trip starts and ends in Anchorage, Alaska.

How much does it cost?
Tuition for the Alaska trip is $3295. Airfare is not included. Financial aid is available. If you would like to be considered for financial aid, please call Christina Reiff at (719) 486-8200 ext 107 asap.

Why partner with Alaska Mountaineering School?
The High Mountain Institute is proud to partner with the Alaska Mountaineering School to offer you this opportunity. AMS was founded in 1996 in Talkeetna, Alaska by Caitlin Palmer and Colby Coombs. Combined, they have over 40 years of experience teaching and guiding in the backcountry. Colby Coombs is a long-time friend and college classmate of Christopher Barnes. Partnering with the Alaska Mountaineering School will allow us to offer you the same high quality backcountry experience with on the ground support that you are used to. To learn more about AMS, please visit:
http://www.climbalaska.org/

How do I sign up?
You can register online at www.hminet.org/register. An $800 deposit is due at the time that you register (payable by credit card online). Alternatively, please call (719) 486-8200 ext 107 to register by phone. Enrollments are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited.

We hope that you will join your fellow Rocky Mountain Semester and Leading Edge alumni for this unique opportunity!