Chasing Mountains and Dreams: A Journey to Outdoor Leadership at PWSC
by V. Heisser |
For as long as he can remember, the mountains have called to him. Originally from Minnesota, Franklin Westlake first laid eyes on Alaska a few years ago while driving up to see if the legends of towering peaks and endless wilderness were true. “They were,” he says. Since that first trip, he has been searching for a way to return. This journey led him to Prince William Sound College and its Outdoor Leadership program—a discovery made almost serendipitously while scrolling through Instagram.
“I saw a sponsored post last November,” he recalls. “I sent it to all my friends, jokingly saying something like, ‘Yeah, I’m doing this.’ But when I looked more into the program, I realized it was exactly what I’d been looking for.”
His love for the outdoors began even earlier. At the age of 12, a canoe trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota sparked a passion for wilderness exploration. Since then, canoeing, backpacking, and long road trips have become staples in his life. Alongside these outdoor pursuits, he has a background in running and powerlifting, making challenging adventures a little easier. When miles separate him from his childhood friends, video games provide a virtual bridge back home.
However, it’s not just his love for the outdoors that drew him to Outdoor Leadership; it’s the chance to share that passion with others. “I was looking for a career change,” he explains. “When I came across this program, I realized it could train me for my dream job: introducing people to the joys of endurance and helping them appreciate—and care for—the outdoors.”
So far, the program has been a whirlwind of excitement and growth. The highlight? The swiftwater rescue course. “Learning the techniques was amazing,” he says, “but practicing them in a simulated environment was incredibly fulfilling. I’ve considered joining Search and Rescue, and this course cemented that desire.”
The program has also challenged him in unexpected ways. “I’ve realized I don’t like telling people what to do,” he admits. “I’m not a ‘Driver’ type of leader. I prefer to guide and support. Being in Outdoor Leadership forces me to adapt my style depending on the situation, and sometimes that means stepping up and taking charge. It’s been really valuable practice.”
Looking ahead, his goals are as vast as Alaska’s horizons. Personally, he hopes to stand atop the major peaks of Alaska and the St. Elias Ranges. Professionally, he wants to help others experience the wonder of the outdoors. “Ideally, I can combine both in one fell swoop,” he says.
Even among all the adventures Alaska offers, a few stand out. The road trip he took in 2023 was transformative, although he didn’t reach Valdez that time. “Anywhere in Thompson Pass takes the cake,” he reflects. “The grandeur of the Chugach Mountains above the Valdez Arm has wowed me the most. Well, except for the 23 seconds when Denali revealed itself from behind the clouds while I was nearby.”
From Minnesota to Alaska, from canoe trips to swiftwater rescue, this journey is just beginning—but it’s already shaping a lifetime of adventure, leadership, and the pursuit of mountains, both literal and metaphorical.