TERRAIN
Open meadows, high mountain passes, scrambly summits, big vistas, alpine lakes.
PLACE
The Talkeetna Mountains | The ancestral and unceded territory of the Dena’ina Ełnena.
EXPLORE
11 Days, 10 nights
Student to instructor ratio : 6:1, Max 12 students, min 5
Learn everything you need to know to competently and safely backpack wilderness anywhere in the world with or without trails. If you can do it in Alaska, you can do it anywhere!
This course is for intermediate to advanced backpackers who want to up their game to the next level and open up a whole new world of possibilities. Maybe you’ve backpacked a bunch, but never dared to set foot off trail. Maybe you’ve been dreaming of a specific trip, but feeling like you’re not quite dialed enough to pull if off. This course will cover everything there is to know about expedition backpacking, in a fun and supportive group. You’ll leave feeling competent and confident to take yourself and friends backpacking anywhere in the world on or off trail with or without consulting guidebooks and written reports. We’re running two trips: one for women (cis, trans, non-binary) and one for queer folks, because we believe affinity spaces are important in building a more inclusive outdoor community.
Over 10 days..
We’ll traverse ridge lines, summit peaks, watch wildlife, forge rivers, eat well, laugh a ton, struggle a bit, learn EVERYTHING, and experience the best Alaska has to offer. Most years, we run this course in the Talkeetna Mountains. Here’s a secret: few people outside of Alaska have heard of the Talkeetnas, but they truly have some of the best backpacking Alaska has to offer. They’re pretty accessible from Anchorage and have all the views and magic with way less of the cost to access, the bushwhacking, or the bulbous tundra. They’re a perfect classroom!
Your first day will be learning about route planning — so you’ll get to chose (in part) the route of the trip. By some combination of driving, flying, trains, and jet boats we’ll get in and out of the Talkeetnas for one epic and memorable adventure.
MOMENT BY MOMENT, DAY BY DAY
DAY 1
DAY 1
WELCOME TO ANCHORAGE
where the mountains and oceans meet and (this time of year) the sun never sets. This is the hub of Alaska and where many a wild adventure have started!
Join us at our gorgeous AirBnb anytime after 3:30pm and make yourself at home. We’re staying at one of the most beautiful places in the heart of Anchorage away from the hotel and cruise ship crowds. We’ll meet up at 6pm to get to know each other, talk about our upcoming adventure, share goals for the trip, go over gear, plan our route, and share a great meal complete with local Alaskan beer and seltzer.
Skills Covered: backpacking gear choices and hot tips, route planning (using topo maps, Gaia, Cal Topo, satellite imagery), how to read a topo map like a pro, risk management, bears, water treatment consideration, bathroom business, food planning, fuel calculations, packing a pack, and other odds and ends.
DAY 2
DAY 2
In the morning we’ll have a beautiful breakfast before heading in any number of directions. Most likely, we’ll get in a van and drive two hours towards the Matanuska Glacier where we’ll meet some legendary bush plane pilots and fly into the Talkeetnas. A twenty to forty minute awesome bush plane flight will have us in the middle of nowhere by afternoon. Depending on the chosen route we may also drive to a trailhead, take a train, or drive to a jet-boat launch. We’ve got options!
Our skilled pilots will put us gently down on a small lake or tundra strip and fly off leaving us in the bewildering silence and the awe of remoteness.
Skills Covered: packing for bush planes, managing grizzly bear protocol, food storage, using bear spray, Leave No Trace for hiking off trail, choosing camp sites and creating stormproof camps for any conditions, tarp magic (for the kitchen tarp), backcountry Michelin star chefery, and staying warm, dry, and joyous no matter the weather.
DAY 3 - 6
DAY 3 - 6
We’ll spend the next four days wandering high alpine meadows, climbing small peaks, crossing glaciers, spotting moose & bear (from a safe distance), watching the persistent alpenglow of the far-north dance across the snowy distant mountains, laughing around camp, eating delicious well-earned meals, and connecting in the deep way wilderness makes possible. These trips are a ton of fun. Sometimes the costumes come out, there may be talent shows, and there will definitely be lots of games — but of course all is optional :)
Skills Covered: micro and macro navigation using map, compass and phones, whiteout navigation, risk management for a variety of scenarios: river crossings, lightning, scree, bushwhacking, wet and cold, snow, glacier crossings. We’ll also dive into the heuristic traps, group dynamics and the emotional reasons that lead people to making bad decisions. We’ll cover basic wilderness first aid (including blister care and prevention), fire-starting, personal hygiene, backcountry bidets, emergency protocols and evacuation considerations, and have lots of time for ecology learning including plant id, edible plants, bird id, human history, etc.
DAY 7 - 8
DAY 7 - 8
If the group is up for it, these days will be an opportunity for independent student travel. Students will plan their route and set off on their own without instructors, with a planned meeting spot on the morning of day 9. This is an opportunity to put all the skills you’ve learned the past few days to the test. Not every trip has independent student travel — but it’s a cool opportunity when it’s the right fit.
Skills Learned: putting it all together, inter-personal communication.
Day 9
DAY 9
Today students will meet up with instructors in the morning and debrief their solo travel experience. The rest of the day we’ll travel as a group to nearby our pickup location. That night will be our final night in the field and we’ll take some time to reflect on our journey and all that we’ve learned.
Day 10 - 11
Day 10 - 11
THIS MOMENT IS OFTEN BITTERSWEET
When you wake to the final morning in the backcountry relishing the memories, the deep sense of connection to a world that moves slower but also excited for your restaurant meal and hot shower. We’ll take some time this morning to soak in the quiet and reflect on how we want to return to the busier world — what we want to bring with us and what we’d rather leave behind.
The plane (or train or jet boat) will hum in to pick us up mid morning and take us back to Anchorage. We’ll check in to our AirBnb and have some time to take showers, unpack, clean gear, and wash clothes before going out for a final celebratory dinner. The AirBnb tonight is included, but the trip is officially over after dinner. You can fly out this evening after 11pm or stay the night and fly out the next morning after a simple breakfast (also included).
NOTE
The Alaska Factor
Any expedition in Alaska requires flexibility, patience, and a big sense of adventure. We always try our best to follow our itineraries as written, but rarely do. That’s part of the fun of it! Alaska weather is always changing and shifting and we will always respectfully honor what the weather allows or doesn’t allow us to do. We get the incredible luxury of flying into these beautiful places, but with flying also comes a need to defer to the conditions. Sometimes flights may be delayed for a day or more as we wait for an appropriate weather window. Trip itineraries may also shift due to group skill, pilot availability, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. Please come with an open mind, a spirit of enthusiastic adventure, and a willingness to see where the trip takes you.
WHERE WE SLEEP
““Pattie is that journey of healing for me, but I think the more time I spend out in nature, the more I feel that healing too.””
Beautiful AirBnbs
-
We'll share one of the most beautiful AirBnbs in Anchorage to start our trip. Our AirBnb provides a great place for trip prep and a cozy spot to hang out before entering the backcountry.
We’ll gather, meet, and get everything sorted for our morning departure.
Note:
We do sometimes switch up AirBnbs so it may not look exactly like the photos shown.
We love using AirBnbs for the homeyness over most Anchorage hotels. But it's hard to nearly impossible to find AirBnbs that have 8 beds. We aim to have each person get their own bed. It's possible depending on trip size and whether or not there's any coouples that 1 - 2 people may need to sleep on their camping mattress. This will be done on a first come first served basis. Anyone who needs to sleep on their camp mattress will get $100 back from us.
Backcountry Camping
-
Backcountry camping can be cozy and comfy.
We like to bring some creature comforts like desert and umbrellas and our favorite coffee press for the mornings. And the best part is opening your tent door to the pinks, purples, and oranges shining on snow capped peaks (or feel super cozy in your tent when it’s raining outside). We'll have a giant tarp for the kitchen so we can hang out comfortably out of the wind and rain.
And you’ll have the most exquisite bathroom views you’ve ever had in your life.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
““With anti-LGBTQ bills on the rise, it felt particularly important to connect with queer community on this trip. We reminded each other how strong and resilient we all are and continuously uplifted each other. It’s beautiful to return to the ‘real world’ with a new sense of self-love and confidence after such a physically and mentally challenging week in the outdoors surrounded by immense beauty.””
“That trip is one I’ll never forget. The beauty, the people, the hilarious giggling, and the real learning. I actually feel like I could go make my own trip happen now. Thank you soo much for making this happen and creating affinity spaces for learning!”
“Jack is a superstar. 12/10 would recommend. As a queer/trans person, I am often super nervous about going to new locations with new people — but he made sure that I was fully seen as a human.
Also, not only is Jack a total badass pro and really knowledgable outdoors person, but he’s also totally willing to meet people where they’re at.”
BOOK THE ADVANCED BACKPACKING COURSE
Step 1. Send in the form under ‘Book Now’. Step 2. We’ll get back to you to discuss your trip.
Step 3. Fill out some info and send a trip deposit. Step 4. We’ll send you a logistics booklet and packing list. Step 5. Book your flights!
JOIN THE GROUP TRIP
Fill out the form below and we’ll make it happen!
$4,450 Per Person | $995 deposit to hold your spot
NEED SLIDING SCALE OR A SCHOLARSHIP?
Reach out! We have a limited number of scholarships available for these courses.
Meowntains
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Check out the FAQ’s below, or text or call us at 845-661-3008 to talk it through! Or send us an email. We love hearing from folks.
-
Backpacking in Alaska is no joke! We’ll be hiking 4-7 miles per day off trail across scree slopes, over mountain passes, and through the occasional but notorious thick Alaskan alder. That being said, if you’ve backpacked a bit before and physically prepare before the trip, you’ll do great! If you’re an expert backpacker you’ll still find this to be a rewarding and at times challenging trip. Guests will be expected to practice excellent self-care, pack and unpack their own packs, setup and breakdown their own tents, and carry a portion of group equipment. All the challenges of off-trail backpacking are overwhelmingly worth it for the splendor, the views, and the deep knowing in your gut that you did something powerful and profound.
-
The price includes accommodations on the first and last night in Anchorage, all bush flights / trains / jet boat rides in and out of the mountains, all breakfasts and dinners (except for the final night), all group supplies—cooking equipment, water treatment options, group shelters, bear canisters, toilet supplies, emergency communication devices, maps, GPS, first aid kit, National Park entrance fees, and the support of your experienced and trained instructors.
-
The price does not include travel to Anchorage, transportation to the AirBnb at the start and end or to Merill Field (if a second Uber is needed), travel insurance or rescue insurance (both recommended), or gratuity for your guides (10-20% of the trip cost recommended). The price doesn’t include personal gear— backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, layers, rain gear, personal bowl, personal eating utensils, headlamp, and personal toiletries. If needed some of this gear can be rented for an additional fee. The price also does not include the cost of lunches. On our trips lunches are really just extended snacking throughout the day. By not having long elaborate sit-down lunches we allow more time to experience new terrain. Guests are expected to provide their own snacks / lunches — we will provide you with guidance for how to plan for proper amounts and keep the weight low.
-
We limit all our trips to 8 clients. If your trip has more than 6 people you will have 2 guides.
-
Meals will be delicious backcountry cuisine. We’ve spent a lot of years in the backcountry and we like to eat well! That being said, we also don't love heavy packs. Our meals strike a balance between dehydrated backpacker food and gourmet fresh — in that balance are delicious meals without crazy weight. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions. Please reach out with questions. We will supply all the breakfasts, dinners, and occasional desserts for the trip. We ask guests to pack their own lunch snacks. On our trips lunch is between when breakfast ends and dinner begins — snack away!
-
Any expedition in Alaska requires flexibility, patience, and a big sense of adventure. We always try our best to follow our itineraries as written, but rarely do. That’s part of the fun of it! Alaska weather is always changing and shifting and we will always respectfully honor what the weather allows or doesn’t allow us to do. We get the incredible luxury of flying into these beautiful places, but with flying also comes a need to defer to the conditions. Sometimes flights may be delayed for a day or more as we wait for an appropriate weather window. Trip itineraries may also shift due to group skill, pilot availability, or any number of unforeseen circumstances. Please come with an open mind, a spirit of enthusiastic adventure, and a willingness to see where the trip takes you. We do not offer refunds or cover incurred costs when trips have to be rerouted or itineraries changed due to weather or other circumstances out of our control.
-
If arriving by plane you will want to fly in/out of Ted Stevens International Airport. Please plan to arrive in Anchorage no later than 5 pm on Day 1 and book your flights for no earlier than 11 pm on the final day (if flying out the night we return.) If flying out on Day 11, book your flights for whenever you want.
-
We have people come on our trips by themselves all the time! There’s nothing like travel through remote wilderness to build community.
-
Indigo Alpine Guide trips are most often run by the owner Jack Bynum and his closest and most trusted friends. All the people who work for IAG have over a decade of experience guiding trips in the most remote places on earth, have wilderness medical training and advanced guiding certifications.
For the Advanced Backpacking Course, Instructors will be women or queer respectively.
-
You may cancel up to 120 days before the scheduled travel date and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel between 120 and 60 days of travel, there is a 50% cancellation fee. Within 60 days of travel, there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
-
We always encourage folks to purchase trip cancelation insurance in addition to the mandatory medical evacuation insurance. We require that you have at least $200,000 in medical evacuation insurance. Your insurance policy should cover hazardous sports and we recommend that your policy cover search and rescue. Since we cannot confirm each client’s policy individually, it is your responsibility to make sure your policy will cover you while you participate in your activities of choice on the expedition.
For US citizens, we recommend Global Rescue. You will have a choice of purchasing it with or without the cancellation coverage–so make sure to select the one that gives you the coverage that you need. Other commonly used companies include World Nomads and Squaremouth.
You are welcome to seek out other insurance options, as these are only recommendations. When selecting a policy, please make sure they insure all the activities you’ll be participating in (many don’t include roped climbing, skiing, mountaineering, etc).
-
Nope, sorry :( This trip is for intermediate and advanced backpackers looking to challenge and grow their skills.
If you've never backpacked before, check out some of our other trips or we recommend starting on trail in the lower 48 to get your footing.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let us know. We’re always happy to chat. No pressure to book.
