TECH TREKS
Tech Treks have long encouraged students to embrace Tech’s rigor with even greater confidence and a ‘can-do’ spirit. Coordinated by ORGT—GT Recreation’s outdoor program—they feature inspiring activities like backpacking, glacier travel, ice climbing, and whitewater rafting in incredible places like Alaska and Iceland.
WELCOME TO TECH TREKS
Tech Trek expeditions have always been open to first year students only–not this year. We have made two exciting changes: 1) We are going to Iceland, and 2) We are opening one Iceland expedition and one Alaska expedition group to all undergrads. To promote quality experiences, all backcountry groups will be comprised of either undergrads or incoming first year students.
For incoming first year students, Tech Treks can be a powerful kick-off to a great experience at Georgia Tech. For others, it can be a one-of-a-kind invigorating adventure.
If you are an incoming first year student, here are instructions for registering for Tech Treks before you have a student account: Register for Tech Treks
OUR HISTORY
In 2007, Campus Recreation piloted the first “First-year Only” expedition. The group spent twelve days immersed in the Alaskan wilderness whitewater rafting, backpacking, and ice climbing. We intended this to be a once-in-a-lifetime jumpstart to a great first year at Tech. Participants got far more than they imagined! They came home with incredible memories of some of the most beautiful places on earth, but they also started their first semester at Tech with great and trusted friends with whom they’d hiked, climbed, and rafted. That wasn’t even the best part, though. During the year following, they discovered that overcoming challenges in Alaska applied directly to successfully meeting the rigors of Georgia Tech. They told us that their Alaska trek made them more resilient and better prepared them to face “hard stuff”. When they encountered tough things like exams and projects, they thought back to their Alaska experiences and were reminded that they had strength to push through just about anything.
WHAT MAKES TECH TREKS SO GREAT FOR FIRST YEARS?
Against the backdrop of gorgeous wilderness, our student leaders share ideas and answer questions about how to succeed at Georgia Tech:
- Best ways to interact with professors
- How to use academic support services
- How to make friends and get connected
- Why to get involved in clubs and organizations
- How to make the most of one’s time at Tech
Planned "Campfire" discussions explore:
- Self-confidence & motivation
- Critical-thinking & Decision-making
- Relationships and healthy Lifestyles
- Balance & Staying Positive
- Leadership & Involvement
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AT GEORGIA TECH
Georgia Tech is academically rigorous. The mental stamina required to backpack through unfamiliar country or succeed ice climbing on a glacier aren’t unlike those needed to navigate the challenges of Georgia Tech. Tech Treks participants are encouraged to think about what keeps them going even when circumstances are tough. We believe that when individuals are challenged and then reflect on their experience, they become more able to harness their unique strengths the next time they’re confronted with challenges of any kind.
Tech Trek alumni have often shared that they believed their first year at Tech was better because of their expedition experience. Friendships forged while trekking were especially valuable–they were the kind likely to last for years and years, students told us.
TREK DETAILS
Alaska - Open to all first years, incoming transfer students, and current undergrads.
This 12-day adventure includes backpacking, ice climbing, and whitewater rafting in some of the most spectacular country in the world. Past Tech Trekkers tell us their experience allowed them to start Tech with greater confidence, more friends, and a stronger awareness of their strengths.
Iceland - First Year Students Only
Flights are included in this package. We will travel together to and from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta to Reykjavik, Iceland.
13-day Iceland Adventure that includes backpacking, whitewater rafting, grocery shopping in Reykjavik, hot springs, and learning about volcanoes and lava in spectacular country. Past Tech Trekkers tell us their experience allowed them to start Tech with greater confidence, more friends, and a stronger awareness of their strengths.
2025 is the first time we have led an open enrollment expedition in Iceland, but we have trekked through Iceland with other groups on two previous occasions.
Iceland - New this year, open to all undergrads.
Flights are included in this package. We will travel together to and from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta to Reykjavik, Iceland.
13-day Iceland Adventure that includes backpacking, whitewater rafting, grocery shopping in Reykjavik, hot springs, and learning about volcanoes and lava in spectacular country. Past Tech Trekkers tell us their experience allowed them to start Tech with greater confidence, more friends, and a stronger awareness of their strengths.
2025 is the first time we have led an open enrollment expedition in Iceland and the first time we have offered a Tech Trek expedition to undergrads. We have however, twice trekked through Iceland previously.
