Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic Explained

The Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic (sometimes called the Alaska Wilderness Classic) is an adventure challenge that espouses purity of style and zero impact. Started in 1982 as a 150miles wilderness traverse, the Classic has crossed various mountain ranges throughout Alaska with some routes covering nearly 250miles. Traditionally, the same route has been used for three years in a row, with each year being a different month (June, July, or August).

The rules are simple: start to finish with no outside support, requiring that participants carry all food and equipment; human-powered; leave no trace; and rescue is up to the individual to resolve. The most common form of transportation is by foot and packraft, although bicycles, skis, and paragliders have been used by intrepid participants. Beginning in 2004, participants have been required to carry satellite phones or Satellite emergency notification device like the Garmin inReach to facilitate emergency rescues.

The organization of the challenge is grass-roots, having no affiliation to any organization or group, while generally fewer than 30 people enter in any one year. The Classic is often perceived as a race, but most certainly not a race. It has had an influence on American adventure racing, backcountry use of the packraft, and ultralight hiking is significant. In addition to the summer challenge, there is an even more low-key unaffiliated winter event, the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Ski Classic, which has taken place annually since 1987 with travel through the Chugach Mountains, Alaska Range, Brooks Range, and Wrangell-St. Elias.

Routes and Challengers

1982–1984

Hope to Homer (Kenai Peninsula), 150miles

1985–1987

Mentasta to Denali National Park (Alaska Range), 235miles

1988–1990

Nabesna to McCarthy (Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 150miles

1991–1993

Gates of the Arctic Wilderness (Brooks Range), 130miles

1994–1996

Donnelly to McKinley Village (Alaska Range), 140miles

1997–1999

Hope to Homer (Kenai Peninsula), 150miles

2000–2002

Nabesna to McCarthy (Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 150miles

2003–2005

Eureka to Talkeetna (Talkeetna Mountains), 160miles

2006–2008

Chicken to Central (Tanana-Yukon Uplands), 180miles

2009–2011

Gerstle River/Donnelly to McKinley Village (Alaska Range), 180miles

2012–2014

Thompson Pass to Lakina River Bridge (Chugach Mountains, Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 120miles - 180miles

2015

Peters Hills to Red Shirt Lake via Rohn (Western Alaska Range, Susitna Valley), 280miles

2016–2018

Galbraith Lake to Wiseman (Brooks Range), 115miles

2019–2021

Cantwell to Sheep Mountain (Talkeetna Mountains), 160miles

2022–2024

Little Tok River to McCarthy, Alaska (Wrangell–St. Elias), 190miles

!Year!Month!Fastest Finisher(s)!Time!Course Record?!No. Starters!No. Scratches!Finisher Percent
2022JuneNick Treinen and Michael Versteeg4 d, 13 hrs
2023JulyMatt Kupilik, John Pekar, Julian Chapin and Adam Smith4 d, 8 hrs18477%
2024AugustSam Hooper3 d, 13 hrs, 3 minYes28679%

Challenge Historic Documentation

References

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