REPORT: Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic 2023

The Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic is an adventure challenge that espouses purity of style and zero impact. Started in 1982 as a 150-mile (240 km) wilderness traverse, the Classic has crossed various mountain ranges throughout Alaska with some routes covering nearly 250 miles (400 km). 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 organization of the challenge is grass-roots, having no affiliation to any organization or group.

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.

After years of eyeing the Classic, I finally decided to participate in 2023. This report is mainly a photo and video report.

The 2022-2024 course

The 2022-2024 course starts at the Little Tok River end ends in McCarthy. The ~190mi (310km) route crosses the Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, although there is no prescribed route between the start and the finish. Participants sometimes take wildly different routes. Choosing your own route is part of the Classic.