By invitation only. Five men. Twenty-five days. A destination revealed only to those accepted.
This course is built on hardship. You will be cold, exhausted and tested, and you’ll be expected to lead through it. The focus is communication, leadership and logistics: learning to plan, lead and move a unit safely through world-class Alaskan terrain, and building real unit cohesion along the way.
We don’t take everyone. Every man is vetted, either by application or by a vouch from a brother who has already been out with us.
Earned, not bought.
What you’ll learn
Glacier travel and rope team management. Crevasse rescue and self-arrest. Expedition planning, food and fuel rationing, and load carries. Camp craft in cold, exposed conditions. Weather reading and go/no-go decision making. Leading a team through fatigue, conflict and risk. Throughout, the focus is on clear communication and building real unit cohesion.
How the expedition runs
Week one covers skills and systems: packing, rope work, crevasse rescue drills and cold-weather camp craft. Week two moves onto the glacier, where each man takes a turn leading the team, planning each day and making the calls. Week three is the expedition phase, putting it all together on a multi-day objective, followed by a full debrief on leadership and what each man takes home.
The standard
You must be able to run a half marathon in under two hours and carry 50+ lbs for eight hours a day, several days in a row. Medical disclosure and a signed waiver are required. Acceptance is not guaranteed.
How to get in
Request an invitation and complete the application. If you were referred by an alumnus, say so. Promising applicants get a call. Accepted men receive their invitation, deposit link and the destination.