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American adventure challenge From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 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.[clarification needed] It has had an influence on American adventure racing, backcountry use of the packraft, and ultralight hiking is significant[citation needed]. 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.
Hope to Homer (Kenai Peninsula), 150 miles (240 km)
Mentasta to Denali National Park (Alaska Range), 235 miles (378 km)
Nabesna to McCarthy (Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 150 miles (240 km)
Gates of the Arctic Wilderness (Brooks Range), 130 miles (210 km)
Donnelly to McKinley Village (Alaska Range), 140 miles (230 km)
Hope to Homer (Kenai Peninsula), 150 miles (240 km)
Nabesna to McCarthy (Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 150 miles (240 km)
Eureka to Talkeetna (Talkeetna Mountains), 160 miles (260 km)
Chicken to Central (Tanana-Yukon Uplands), 180 miles (290 km)
Gerstle River/Donnelly to McKinley Village (Alaska Range), 180 miles (290 km)
Thompson Pass to Lakina River Bridge (Chugach Mountains, Wrangell – Saint Elias Wilderness), 120 miles (190 km) - 180 miles (290 km)
Peters Hills to Red Shirt Lake via Rohn (Western Alaska Range, Susitna Valley), 280 miles (450 km)
Galbraith Lake to Wiseman (Brooks Range), 115 miles (185 km)
Cantwell to Sheep Mountain (Talkeetna Mountains), 160 miles (260 km)
Little Tok River to McCarthy, Alaska (Wrangell–St. Elias), 190 miles (310 km)
| Year | Month | Fastest Finisher(s) | Time | Course Record? | No. Starters | No. Scratches | Finisher Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | June | Nick Treinen and Michael Versteeg | 4 d, 13 hrs | ||||
| 2023 | July | Matt Kupilik, John Pekar, Julian Chapin and Adam Smith | 4 d, 8 hrs | 18 | 4 | 77% | |
| 2024 | August | Sam Hooper | 3 d, 13 hrs, 3 min | Yes | 28 | 6 | 79% |
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (February 2012) |
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