Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic


The Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic is an adventure challenge that espouses purity of style and zero impact. Started in 1982 as a wilderness traverse, the Classic has crossed various mountain ranges throughout Alaska with some routes covering nearly. Traditionally, the same route has been used for three years in a row, with each year being a different month.
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,
Mentasta to Denali National Park,
Nabesna to McCarthy,
Gates of the Arctic Wilderness,
Donnelly to McKinley Village,
Hope to Homer,
Nabesna to McCarthy,
Eureka to Talkeetna,
Chicken to Central,
Gerstle River/Donnelly to McKinley Village,
Thompson Pass to Lakina River Bridge, -
Peters Hills to Red Shirt Lake via Rohn,
Galbraith Lake to Wiseman,
Cantwell to Sheep Mountain,