PWSC Outdoor Leadership Program in Valdez Alaska

03/18/2026

Meet the Pilot Behind the Shot: Flying in 70 MPH Winds

“When the wind is steady at 40 mph and gusting to 70… You have to ask—how bad is it, really?”

That curiosity is what pushed Don Bickley, our drone specialist, to take flight in Keystone Canyon while capturing our Intermediate Ice Climbing class.

“Air is a fluid,” he explained, as wind moved through the canyon and collided with exposed slopes, creating turbulent, shifting currents. “One moment you’re on the leeward side, then windward—and you haven’t moved.”

Typical flight strategies didn’t apply. Intense updrafts could nearly hold the drone in place, but maintaining control required constant input. To counter the lift, he intentionally disrupted airflow—forcing a controlled loss of lift to keep the aircraft from being carried upward.

Landing was no easier.
“The only option was a controlled, sideways crash into the snow,” he said—repeating the maneuver to keep the drone from being pushed off the canyon walls and into the river below.

“The reason I was able to accomplish such a chaotic flight with precision? No matter how uncomfortable and cold I was, I placed myself in the same area where I was flying. I could react to the wind in real time because I was in that wind. The drone was an extension of myself in that moment, not a cheat code.”

03/16/2026

Students in the Intermediate Ice Climbing class put their skills to the test in Keystone Canyon.

Thursday and Friday, the class was split into two teams led by instructors August Franzen and Lauren Brand. One day was spent on Mudslide practicing multi-pitch climbing, anchors, and rope management. The next day, teams rotated to Fang Gully—a 90-meter WI2 route on the canyon’s east wall, just right of Hung Jury that requires crossing the Lowe River.

By week’s end, students combined ice screw placement, anchor building, and safe movement on the ice into a full outdoor climbing adventure.

Hands-on experiences like this are how the Outdoor Leadership program at Prince William Sound College prepares students with real-world skills and Alaska adventure.

03/12/2026

Day 3 of the Intermediate Ice Climbing class focused on placing ice screws—one of the most important skills for climbing safely on ice.

Instructors August Franzen and Lauren Brand demonstrated how to assess the ice and drive screws into solid sections to create reliable protection. Unlike rock climbers, who place protection in cracks, ice climbers build their protection directly into the ice. A well-placed screw becomes a critical anchor point if a climber falls.

Students also reviewed rope systems and watched instructors demonstrate multi-pitch climbing, where a route is climbed in several rope-length sections. One climber leads, builds an anchor, and belays the next climber up before continuing higher.

By the end of the day, students were not just climbing—they were learning how to protect themselves and their partners on the ice

03/10/2026

Before the First Swing
Ice climbing starts long before the first swing of an ice tool.

Students in Ice Climbing II spent the morning reviewing layering systems, technical gear, and safety protocols before heading out to the ice in the afternoon. From harnesses and helmets to ropes and protection, every piece of equipment — and every decision — matters when climbing in winter conditions.

By the afternoon, it was time to step onto the ice and start putting those systems into practice.

03/09/2026

Peter, Alex, Gabe, Sarah, and Xavier, our outdoor leadership students, recently took on the role of instructors, teaching a group of middle schoolers how to set up a tarp shelter—even with snow on the ground.

Knowing how to pitch a tarp is an important outdoor skill. It provides quick protection from wind, rain, and snow and can make a big difference in staying warm and dry in the backcountry.

A little snow just made the lesson more authentic—and a lot more fun!

03/06/2026

Got the chance to snap this photo as our adjuncts, August Franzen and Lauren Brand, met with Ben Rush, Assistant Professor of Outdoor Leadership, to prep for Intermediate Ice Climbing (Ice 2). Ice 2 focuses on multi-pitch climbing. Students have all completed Ice 1.

August first clipped into a harness at 13 in Yosemite National Park; Lauren, originally from Indiana, found ice climbing six years ago after moving to Washington State.

They’re preparing to teach students equipment, climbing physics, anchors, belaying, protection strategies, rope work, station management, rappelling, and improvised rescue—all while navigating multi-pitch waterfall ice in cold-weather conditions.

Before students ever swing an ice tool, the preparation begins.

03/05/2026

Hands-on learning in the field.

During a recent Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course at Shoup Bay, students practiced real-world emergency response skills in the kind of remote conditions they may face while guiding, working outdoors, or traveling in Alaska.

This clip, captured by Xavier Garcia, shows just a glimpse of the training that prepares students to respond when help may be hours away.

03/04/2026

Our Winter Camping class wrapped up a full weekend of hands-on learning with adjunct Outdoor Leadership instructors Evan Clupper and Kaden Addler—and Alaska winter delivered the real experience.

The group began by spending time out at Worthington Glacier, where students explored the winter landscape and practiced skills in true backcountry conditions. With clear views, snow underfoot, and cold air all around, it was a perfect setting to learn what winter travel in Alaska really feels like.

Later, the class returned to the Valdez Ball Fields for their overnight camp. Temperatures dipped below zero, but students were ready. They set up camp, managed their gear, and settled in for a true winter night outside.

Cold temperatures, teamwork, and a lot of learning made for a memorable weekend. By the time morning rolled around, students had gained practical experience—and a great story about spending a night at below-zero temperatures while camping in Alaska.

03/03/2026

Great job! Thank you to Kaden Addler and Evan Clupper.

Below zero. Still learning.

Tents in the snow, trees standing silent, a single light glowing in the dark. This is where Outdoor Leadership begins.

02/27/2026

Despite the cold temperatures, our Winter Camping course is happening this weekend! This hands-on class introduces students to winter camping in Alaska, including selecting personal and group gear, practicing snow-shelter construction, and learning to assess risk in real backcountry conditions. The course even includes an overnight field outing—because the best way to learn is by doing.

Taught by adjunct Outdoor Leadership instructors Evan Clupper and Kaden Addler, this class challenges students to build skills, confidence, and resilience in extreme winter conditions.

02/20/2026

Ready to take your skills to the next level this spring break?

PER 246 – Intermediate Ice Climbing (2 Credits) at Prince William Sound College is designed for climbers ready to move beyond the basics and step into real-world frozen-waterfall terrain.

Building on the foundations from Ice Climbing 1, this course focuses on:

Leading and following scenarios

Building a variety of anchors

Multi-pitch climbing

Route finding

Rope management

Self-rescue skills

Mock leading practice

Frozen waterfalls become your classroom as you refine technique, decision-making, and safety in dynamic alpine conditions. This course emphasizes strong technical skills and sound judgment in real backcountry environments surrounding Valdez.

Dates: March 9–March 15 (Spring Break)
Instructors: August Franzen & Lauren Brand
Credits: 2

Important Details:
Participants must be in excellent physical condition and comfortable functioning in inclement weather. Students are required to provide their own ice climbing boots (snowboard boots or AT ski boots will suffice) and proper clothing for a full day in the backcountry. PWSC provides harnesses, crampons, ropes, hardware, and helmets.

Required Text: Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills (ISBN: 978-1-59485-137-7)

If you're ready to challenge yourself, sharpen advanced skills, and experience Valdez’s iconic ice with experienced instructors, this is your opportunity.

For more information, please check out the PWSC/UAA course catalog, call 907-834-1600, or email the PWSC Admissions Office at [email protected].

02/19/2026

Did you know a knot could save your life?

For thousands of years, knots have helped people survive—sailors secured ships, climbers protected themselves on steep terrain, and rescue teams rely on them in emergencies. They’re more than rope tricks—they’re tools for safety and problem-solving.

This week, our outdoor leadership students, Gabe, Ian, Alex, and Quentin, shared that knowledge by teaching local middle school students essential knots for anchoring gear, building shelters, and staying safe outdoors.

A simple rope. A powerful skill. Leadership in action.