Tech Treks Alaska

TECH TREKS ALASKA

Embark on an 11-day Alaskan adventure designed to help students thrive in challenging environments, from Alaska’s wilderness to Georgia Tech. Experience backpacking, ice climbing, whitewater rafting, wildlife viewing, and camping under the stars amidst stunning scenery. Alumni of the Alaska Tech Trek maintain strong friendships even years later.

Register

TRIP DETAILS

Who: Group 1: Incoming first-year Georgia Tech students.
Group 2: Any current undergraduate (including transfer students)
When: July 8 – July 19, 2025
Where: South Central Alaska between Anchorage and Denali National Park
Cost: $2,495.00

REGISTRATION DETAILS

  • You can either pay the $2,495.00 expedition fee in full or secure your space with a 50% deposit ($1,247.50).  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 15, 2025.
  • 100% of your deposit and payments are refundable up until June 1. After June 1, your $495.00 deposit is no longer refundable.
  1. Register www.mycrc.gatch.edu
  2. You will have to create a “local account”.  (Your normal Georgia Tech username and password will not work–see expanded instructions at the link below.
  3. Once you have logged in, Enter “Alaska” in the search bar.
  4. If registering during spring semester, you may need to enter “Summer 2025”.
  5. When you enter ‘Alaska’: you will be presented with two icons–one for paying the $1,295.50 deposit and one for paying the $1,295.50 balance.
  6. Payment in full will require two transactions.
  7. Select the preferred icon and make your online payment. You will have to enter some data a second time as part of this process.
  8. Even if you are paying the balance after already paying your deposit, you will be asked to click a link that reads, “Register”. This link will not cause you to be billed again in the future for another deposit. This may seem like you are registering a second time, but when you indicate you are paying a balance, your payment will be credited to your account.
  9. If you experience difficulty registering using a cell phone, we recommend trying to register using a PC.
  • 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:

  • Equipment (If you live in the Atlanta area, you can pick up your gear in advance at the Camps Recreation Center. If not, we will bring the gear to Alaska for you.
  • 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 are equipped with satellite phones and satellite GPS locators
  • Professional Campus Recreation staff monitor groups while in the field

What is not included:

  • Roundtrip airfare from your hometown to Anchorage. Students on the Alaska Tech Treks meet Campus Recreation staff in the Anchorage airport.
  • Personal items as described on the required packing list
  • Souvenirs
  • Other services not clearly noted above

Things to consider

  • Cost of airline tickets. Campus Recreation does not coordinate flights to and from Anchorage.
  • Travel insurance. To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.
  • Most likely, you will need to purchase some equipment like boots and rain gear for this trip. Review the packing list.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Multiple groups of 8-9 students and 3 trip leaders follow different but parallel itineraries at the same time. Your itinerary will likely vary from this sample:

Day 1: Arrive in Anchorage. Georgia Tech staff will meet you at baggage claim. Then travel to a nearby campground. Meet other students and staff, enjoy dinner, and opening ceremonies.

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

Day 3: Travel around Denali National Park; most groups catch glimpses of Bear, Moose, Wolf, Caribou, and more!

Day 4: Begin the 4-day, 30-mile backpacking adventure. 

Day 5: Hike among 10,000-20,000 foot peaks (Don’t worry though. We won’t be climbing these.)

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

Day 7: Finish backpacking journey and camp next to a beautiful lake. Maybe try an arctic plunge?

Day 8: Transition day – showers and resupply in town; catch some Alaska culture in small towns like Wasilla, AK.

Day 9: Whitewater rafting on a glacier fed river.

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

Day 11: Back to Anchorage, closing ceremony, flights home later that evening.

WEATHER

Summer temperatures in these regions of typically range from the low 40’s in the higher country and to 70’s if it‘s sunny. It rains every month during the summer. Plan for rain. The Alaskan summer is similar to spring or fall in other parts of the U.S. On this trip, be prepared for all types of weather. Pay close attention to the packing list and bring every piece of gear from the list of recommendations. You should arrive properly equipped. If you bring the wrong equipment. there are few options to go inside and dry off when trekking in the mountains!