Alaska Register Now! _________________ Supporting Documents Alaska Travel Information Reading List "What an amazing adventure!... I loved everything, but the ice climbing was incredible. I can't wait to swing my own tools. -Craig More Student Comments     -Drop off on the Casement Glacier; Alaska Coastal Mountains. Alaska Mountaineering & Sea Kayaking Combination Course; Leadership & Guide Training Course   (26 days)           Towering glaciated peaks rise above the pristine waters of Glacier Bay National Park. From the dramatic world of snow, rock and ice, to a vibrant marine environment, this combo course explores the best that the Alaska wilderness has to offer.           Imagine paddling placid waters amidst a pod of orcas, navigating through a maze of islands, or watching in awe as a serac of ice plummets into the ocean. Picture yourself leading your group through a crevassed icefall, ascending a rocky ridge with the clouds beneath your feet, or digging a snow pit profile to assess the avalanche danger.           This comprehensive sea kayaking and mountaineering course is the perfect setting to achieve your goals whether you are looking to become a professional guide, hone your technical abilities for personal adventures, or expand your leadership skills. It focuses on teaching students to be safe, efficient, knowledgeable and confident outdoor leaders a variety of environments.     Course Location  IWLS is based in Haines, Alaska, a small town located near the top of the Inside Passage. Haines borders Glacier Bay National Park. The park and the adjacent 27 million acres, including Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, comprise the largest protected wilderness area in the world. It is an extremely jagged and glaciated mountain landscape that includes the world's largest non-polar ice caps, pristine fjords, and wilderness rivers. Peak elevations in this region range up to 20,000 feet. The extensive glaciation, vast wilderness setting, and extreme rugged nature of Alaskan peaks, are unmatched anywhere in the world.     Our Sea Kayaking Programs are based out of Haines and Gustavus, two coastal Alaskan communities offering access to some of the best wilderness paddling in the world. Gustavus is a gateway to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a designated wilderness with many areas accessible only by kayak or other non-motorized craft. Renowned for its wildlife and geology, the area teems with whales, seals and other marine mammals. Tidewater glaciers calve dramatically into the ocean, and bears, moose, and other land mammals are a common sight.     The sea kayaking and mountaineering in this part of the world are unrivaled and provide an ideal location to develop leadership and expedition skills.     The Instructors and Guides of IWLS are widely recognized as some of the very best in their field and have practical leadership experience from around the globe. They are well trained and have an uncommon enthusiasm for sharing their skill and knowledge, borne out of a passion for outdoor exploration.     The International Wilderness Leadership Schools' educational model nurtures leadership development and creates an awareness of the guiding mentality that is essential for leading safe, fun adventures in the mountains. The combination of technical skills training, experiential education and practical leadership experience make the IWLS curriculum world class.     The IWLS General Curriculum outlines the essential components for effective outdoor leadership. Here are a few points that the course will focus on.     Weather: Will the storm arrive in the next 12 hours or the next 48? Understanding weather patterns and trends will help you plan successful trips in a wilderness setting.     Safety and Risk Management: Safety is always the #1 consideration. As the course progresses, you’ll develop an awareness to appropriately asses risk and make safe decisions.     Natural and Cultural History: Having a strong understanding of cultural history, flora, and fauna is an integral part of leading people in an outdoor environment. You’ll learn some of the botany, ecology, and geology that apply to these remarkable areas.     Wilderness Emergency Procedures and Treatment: Learn how to effectively manage safe, efficient, and timely backcountry rescues. ____________________________________________________________________ Photo: Brian Hinderberger     IWLS Mountaineering Curriculum is built from countless expeditions in Alaska and around the world. You’ll learn how to be a competent and proficient mountaineer in a variety of different environments. Below are some topics we’ll cover.     Crevasse Rescue: Traveling in glaciated terrain requires that every member of the team be proficient in crevasse rescue. We’ll learn how to get a team mate out of a crevasse quickly and efficiently.     Self-Arrest: What happens if you fall on a steep now slope? Learn, through hands on experience, how to stop a fall quickly and efficiently.     Sleds: Key for long expeditions in the mountains. Learn how to maneuver, pack, and construct expedition sleds.     Timing: In the mountains, timing is everything: when to leave camp, when to turn around, and when to push for the summit. Time management is a critical component of safe travel and plays into many aspects of mountaineering. ____________________________________________________________________ Photo: R. Gooden     IWLS Kayaking Curriculum is oriented to providing students with a solid skill set of paddling techniques to be safe and confident in a coastal environment. Here are a few of the topics students will learn on the course.     Strokes: Forward, reverse, sweep, beam draw, and sculling draw: we’ll cover them all, and you’ll get ample opportunities to practice and refine your strokes.     Rescues: What happens when you’re paddling with clients in the frigid waters of Southeast Alaska and a boat capsizes? We’ll learn everything from the paddle-float rescue to the assisted bow rescue to kayak rolling.     Navigation: Expeditions in the meandering waters of Alaska require solid navigational skills, including how to use deck compasses, read charts and position off land features.     Tides and Currents: Southeast Alaska is home to some of the largest tidal changes in North America. We’ll learn about tide charts, the “Rule of 12’s”, and how to identify and avoid strong currents.    Experience Level: No previous experience is necessary for this course. However, with a desire to learn and an enthusiasm for adventure, you'll develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of wilderness exploration.    Certifications upon completion of the 26-day course participants may qualify for the following certifications:        Certified Outdoor Leader             Wilderness Education Association        ACA Certificates of Completion             American Canoe Association        ACA Assessment Levels 1-5             American Canoe Association        26 Day Guide Training Certificate of Completion             International Wilderness Leadership School Click Here for all available certifications. University credit is available for this and other IWLS courses. Consider combining three 26-day courses for an IWLS semester!