Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic

The race start of the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic in Chicken in 2006.

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 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 rules are simple: start to finish with no outside support, requiring that racers 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 DeLorme 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 every year since 1987 with races through the Chugach Mountains, Alaska Range, Brooks Range, and Wrangell-St. Elias.

Routes and Challengers

1982–1984

Hope to Homer (Kenai Peninsula), 150 miles (240 km)

1985–1987

Mentasta to Denali National Park (Alaska Range), 235 miles (378 km)

1988–1990

Nabesna to McCarthy (Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 150 miles (240 km)

1991–1993

Gates of the Arctic Wilderness (Brooks Range), 130 miles (210 km)

1994–1996

Donnelly to McKinley Village (Alaska Range), 140 miles (230 km)

1997–1999

Hope to Homer (Kenai Peninsula), 150 miles (240 km)

2000–2002

Nabesna to McCarthy (Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 150 miles (240 km)

2003–2005

Eureka to Talkeetna (Talkeetna Mountains), 160 miles (260 km)

2006–2008

Chicken to Central (Tanana-Yukon Uplands), 180 miles (290 km)

2009–2011

Gerstle River/Donnelly to McKinley Village (Alaska Range), 180 miles (290 km)

2012–2014

Thompson Pass to Lakina River Bridge (Chugach Mountains, Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 120 miles (190 km) - 180 miles (290 km)

2015

Peters Hills to Red Shirt Lake via Rohn (Western Alaska Range, Susitna Valley), 280 miles (450 km)

2016–2018

Galbraith Lake to Wiseman (Brooks Range), 115 miles (185 km)

Challenge Historic Documentation

References

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