A group of people walking up a snowy mountain.

Trip Details

Who: Incoming first-year Georgia Tech students.
When: July 9 – July 19, 2024
Where: South Central Alaska between Anchorage and Denali National Park
Cost: $2,395.00

We will resume Tech Treks Alaska in Summer 2024.

This 11-day Alaskan adventure is designed to give students insight into succeeding and flourishing in any tough environment- whether in the wilds of Alaska or at Georgia Tech. Students enjoy backpacking, ice climbing, and whitewater rafting immersed in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Graduates of the Alaska Tech Trek tell us their friendships are still active and strong on graduation day years later.

This year's trip will include:

  • Backpacking
  • Glacier ice climbing
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Camping under the stars
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A portion of each day focuses on talking about different aspects of succeeding as a Georgia Tech student. Discussions include tips for making the most of your campus experience like getting involved, achieving a balance between academic and personal pursuits and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Registration Details -- Now Open!

You can either pay the $2,395.00 expedition fee in full or secure your space with a $395.00 deposit.  If you secure your space with a deposit, payment of the remaining balance is due 60 days from your paying the deposit or by June 22, 2024.

100% of your deposit and payments are refundable up until June 1. After June 1, your $395.00 deposit is no longer refundable

  1. Go to www.mycrc.gatch.edu
  2. Choose PROGRAMS
  3. Choose SEMESTER - Summer 2024
  4. You may need to search for "Alaska"
  5. You will have to create a "local account"  (your normal GT username and Password will not work--see expanded instructions at the link below.

If you are not ready to register and have specific questions email tyler.joing@gatech.edu

If you experience difficulty registering, you may need to create a "local account".  Follow these instructions: Tech Treks Registration Instructions

Trip Full Details

Price includes: 

  • Georgia Tech trained trip leaders
  • 11 days camping in developed campgrounds and back country sites
  • All meals and snacks, dinner day 1 through a late lunch on day 11
  • All ground transportation
  • Whitewater rafting through a third party provider
  • Ice climbing through a third party provider
  • Park entrance and permit fees
  • Bear-proof cans to store food during backpacking
  • Group gear including tents, cookware, sleeping bag and sleeping pad (you can also bring your own if you would like – see packing list) and other specialty gear and equipment 
  • Groups equipped with satellite phones and locators 

What is not included: 

  • Roundtrip airfare from your hometown to Anchorage
  • Personal items as described on the required packing list
  • Souvenirs
  • Other services not clearly noted above

Things to consider

  • Airline Tickets
  • Travel insurance - To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.  
  • Required packing list

Sample Itinerary

Multiple groups of 10 students and 2 trips leaders follow different itineraries at the same time but in a different order. Your itinerary will likely vary from the sample below:

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage. GT staff will meet you at baggage claim. Travel to 1st night of camping, meet other students and staff, and opening ceremonies.

Day 2: Travel by van to Denali National Park sightseeing along the way. 

Day 3: Travel around Denali National Park in search of Bear, Moose, Wolf, Caribou, and more!

Day 4: Start 4-day backpacking adventure. 

Day 5: Hike and enjoy the scenery of 10,000-20,000 foot peaks.

Day 6: Hike and enjoy camping above a secluded backcountry lake.

Day 7: Finish backpacking journey and camp next to a beautiful lake.

Day 8: Transition day – showers and resupply in town.

Day 9: Whitewater rafting on a glacier fed river.

Day 10: Ice Climbing on Matanuska glacier (dress warm!). 

Day 11: Transition back to Anchorage, closing ceremony, flights home in the evening. 

Weather

Summertime temperatures in these regions of Alaska typically range between the low 40's at elevation and the low 70's if it is sunny. It rains during every month of the summer. Plan for at least one day of rain. In general, the Alaskan summer is similar to spring or fall in other parts of the U.S. If you go on this trip, be prepared for any type of weather and follow the Gear List recommendations to ensure you arrive properly equipped – there is nowhere to go inside and dry off when we are in the wilderness!