You need to be properly prepared physically and mentally to get the most out of your Alaska backcountry experience. Especially for summer trips, it can be difficult for folks not living in Alaska to train for Alaskan conditions because rugged Alaskan conditions are unique to Alaska. Don’t underestimate the burliness of Alaska’s mountains or what it’s like to trek over rugged terrain devoid of trails with a heavy multi-day pack.

All CMI activities involve some level of physical exertion and exposure to the elements. Carefully review trip intensity levels and make sure the course or trip you’re interested in is appropriate for your experience and ability. Be honest with CMI about your, or your group’s, fitness level(s) so CMI can structure an appropriate trip or course.

As an outdoor education institution CMI believes strongly in providing clients with optimal arousal experiences but, as CMI can’t fully assess you until we’re with you in the backcountry, it’s on you to be forthcoming with CMI about your fitness, ability, and experience. Given the remote nature of CMI activities, this is a safety issue. You can endanger yourself or others and compromise the quality of the group’s wilderness experience if you get yourself in over your head. CMI wants to make sure you have a rewarding experience characterized by personal growth and connection to nature.

Please read through all descriptions of activity intensity levels, as they build upon one another and each contains information relevant to your preparation for an optimal backcountry experience.

All multi-day CMI trips and courses require you to carry your personal gear, snacks, and a portion of group gear for camp and food for cooked meals. You will need to be able load and unload your own pack, setup and deconstruct your own camp, assist with group camp setup, help with camp chores, and manage your own physical and mental wellbeing. Of course, especially for Level 1 trips and courses, CMI will coach and support you as needed.

Some CMI trips will only have one intensity level, others will have a range. Trips with only one intensity level mean you must be able to handle that level. Trips with a range of intensity levels mean the trip can be structured within that range to meet client needs. Having a range of intensity levels allows the trip to be differentiated for the entire group or for a range of individual experience, ability, and fitness levels within a group. These trips are great for families or groups with diverse needs and interests.

Level 1:

These trips are introductory or easier, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy. You still need to be physically fit and your training should begin weeks in advance if you don’t normally maintain an adequate level of fitness for hiking a few miles a day, for consecutive days, with a couple thousand vertical feet of ascending and descending over rough, trail-less terrain with a heavy pack.

You also need an adequate level of mental fitness, or toughness, to deal with potentially inclement mountain weather and discomforts associated with days of “roughing it” in the wilderness. Make sure you carefully review the gear list, ask questions, and contact CMI if you need further information. CMI wants to make sure you’re properly prepared with the best gear and attire for mitigating discomfort due to Alaskan conditions.

Level 2:

These trips are for those ready for a more strenuous challenge, or that have prior experience through which they understand what’s involved in remote wilderness adventures and have developed an ability to function adequately despite the associated mental and physical trials.

Level 2 trips and courses involve consecutive days with up to several miles and a few thousand vertical feet of ascending and descending rugged, trail-less terrain. These trips are also longer, meaning more mental fitness is required due to deal with sustained wilderness living and more physical fitness is necessary for carrying heavier loads over longer distances.

Level 3:

These are CMI’s most challenging trips and courses for those with prior experience and a high level of fitness. Level 3 activities involve day after day of several miles and up to several thousand vertical feet of ascending and descending in more extreme environments. These trips are the longest and the terrain the most demanding, meaning you’ll need to be physically and mentally tough enough to deal with prolonged wilderness exposure carrying a heavy (50lb+ pack).