Student Reflection: Xavier Garcia’s Lessons from the Alaskan Backcountry

Xavier Garcia, an outdoor leadership student, shared insights from his personal journal after a six-day backpacking trip in the Alaskan backcountry, highlighting the physical challenges and his growth in leadership skills.

“Before embarking on this adventure, I was scared,” Xavier wrote. “I thought I couldn't complete the expedition.” The challenges began immediately: “On day one, it was raining, cold, and completely uphill.” Despite the tough start, Xavier described the setting as unforgettable: “From the rolling mountains to the meandering rivers, it was unlike anything I have ever experienced.”

Throughout the week, Xavier pushed himself to learn both hard and soft skills. “I was able to advance soft skills like group communication and hard skills like practices of Leave No Trace and map navigation.” One particular struggle stood out: “I’m bad at tying knots, but I’m improving, so that’s all that matters.” He specifically mentioned difficulties with the bowline knot, a skill he slowly built over time.

A major personal challenge was being disconnected from his family. “It was hard not being able to communicate with my family,” he admitted, “but very rewarding to talk with them when I had completed the journey.” Leadership was another area of growth. “At some points, I felt like I could not speak up, but I learned that we are all here to learn from each other and work as a team.”

Xavier has held leadership roles before—including leading over 1,500 students in Business Professionals of America and serving as concertmaster of his high school orchestra—but outdoor leadership was a new and unfamiliar experience. “While I take parts of my leadership experiences with me wherever I go, I still have a lot to learn.”

By the end of the trip, Xavier said he had met two goals he set before starting: to be more confident and to trust himself more. “This trip changed me as a person and bettered me as a leader,” he wrote. “I proved to myself that I can do hard things and live without the luxuries like my phone and the comfort of my home.”

Xavier’s journal is a clear example of how outdoor experiences not only build essential skills but also shape character, confidence, and resilience.