Meet Our Founder
Dorothy Adler, MLSt
I began teaching Wilderness Medical classes for SOLO Schools in 2007, while residing in McCarthy, Alaska. I was newly a mother, and learning how to balance the desire for backcountry adventures, with parenting. I had spent the years prior to motherhood working as a rock climbing guide in the lower 48, guiding in the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains, volunteering in mountain rescue, all while pursuing both personal and professional climbing and backcountry objectives in Alaska, Canada and the lower 48.
A long cherished dream was to someday develop a wilderness school.  As my son grew older and I recognized that teaching wilderness medicine was working well with the demands of single parenting, I cultivated that wilderness school dream by developing a training center and adding more courses to the schedule.  Over the years, I began to re-incorporate instructional mountaineering courses and women's climbing clinics on the menu of what we offer, bringing my long history as a mountain climbing guide and mentor into the outdoor classroom. I am a certified SOLO Wilderness Medical Instructor, WEMT and proud to represent New Hampshire based SOLO Schools in Alaska.  As owner/operator/chief bottle washer & lead instructor, I wear many hats while operating what has grown into a busy, small, local business.  As a long time climber, mountaineer, and guide, I continue to stoke my passion for those adventures by teaching and mentoring others.  I am passionate about outdoor safety, risk assessment, and teaching life-saving skills that can be crucial in remote environments.  While my passion as a WEMT is in delivering wilderness medical courses, I am also a SOA EMT Instructor and an ASHI Instructor, classes which focus more on urban medicine.  As a SOA EMT Instructor I am able to deliver the flagship WEMT course, a course rarely offered in our vast state.  I believe strongly in community collaboration and partnerships and value the strong ties that my small business has made with other local organizations throughout the years.  Many of us work closely together and help perpetuate a culture of awareness and safety in the outdoors. We are dedicated to serving all students and foster a warm, friendly learning environment that is equitable for all. Dorothy is the honored recipient of: 2022 State of Alaska EMS Educator of The Year Award and the 2019 SBA Honorable Mention Rural Business of the Year Award
Tessa Hill
Hello! My name is Tessa and I grew up in Colorado and moved to Alaska over 3 years ago. I have a background in outdoor education and have been guiding professionally for six years. Since moving to Alaska, my drive for adventure has only grown, leading me to some pretty wild places and experiences. I’m passionate about the outdoors being inclusive, regardless of who you are or what your background is. My career is focused on creating a space for every type of person. I’ve gained a lot from strong mentors who don’t fit the mold of a traditional outdoors person, and now I want to pass that on and be that for others. When I’m not guiding, you can find me backcountry skiing, sea kayaking, frolicking through the mountains, playing board games, & wearing lots of glitter!
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the Summer 2026 Women's Backpacking Courses.
Hope to see you in the mountains!
-Tessa (she/they)
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Meet Our Team
We have several instructors that have mentored with us for years, ultimately becoming certified SOLO Instructors who moonlight as wilderness medical instructors and assist with SOLO courses hosted by WEME. Many of you have met Heather, Ashlynn, Nate, and Jasmin; who all work very hard to assist and fill in where they can, all while holding down regular full-time jobs and busy family lives. Stay tuned for bios on each of these lovely people!
Welcome to our campus! We are thrilled to have you here and excited to learn with you. Our campus is nestled against the Talkeetna Mountains, making a beautiful setting for wilderness training courses.
Welcome to our campus! We are thrilled to have you here and excited to learn with you.
