PEAK ECO-CHALLENGE
Wildlife science on the Pacific Crest Trail
WHAT IS PĒC?
Peak Eco-Challenge (PĒC) is a summer wildlife expedition program for high school and college students interested in wildlife science.
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail while learning real wildlife biology skills.
Shadow professional wildlife biologists who are passionate about guiding students through hands-on experiences.
Small group sizes allow for individualized attention and support. Your team becomes like family.
Conduct surveys for birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals along the PCT.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our summer programs are perfect for students passionate about biology and conservation mixed with adventure! You’ll backpack through some of the most epic, beautiful, and biodiverse places. Students assist biologists and conservationists as they conduct real-life research. Through experiential learning, students will understand and examine protected wildlife and habitats and gain unique insights into biodiversity and conservation.
Two Programs
Perfect for beginners, this program provides an introduction to wildlife survey techniques along the Pacific Crest Trail.
7 or 15-week Wildlife Expedition
Ideal for students seeking a more immersive and long-term wilderness experience, this program involves the Pacific Crest Trail Biodiversity Megatransect (PCTBM), offering an unparalleled long-distance backpacking adventure.
Have questions? Click here to check our FAQs.
Our 2026 Programs are no longer accepting applications. Check back for future dates.
“Perhaps our most important goal is to provide our students a truly formative and enriching experience that affects the whole person, impacting not only their career goals, but their life trajectory. We provide our students an opportunity to come alongside mentors and collaborating scientists to engage in actual research and to experience a holistic program while on the PCT – the mind, the body, the soul…academics, research, intellectual growth, physical challenges. Our students also become researchers and contribute to an ongoing study of biodiversity patterns along the Pacific Cordillera.”
Professor McGrann, Program Director
“There were many challenging components that made this experience difficult and allowed me. to push myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, but having completed this program, I feel stronger in those areas. It has also given me a hands-on taste of fieldwork and clarified for me that this is something. I hope to be doing in the future.”EMILIA G.
“I cherished my time in the field as I learned more about myself and my teammates. I think that the connections I have built and the friendships I have made on the trail this year will be life long ones.”Hannah M.
“You’re going to have really, really hard moments, where you want to quit. Make sure you’re enjoying every moment of it. Every beautiful tree. Every little flower you pass as you walk along.”
Teagan C.
“It will change your life. This is an amazing project. An ambitious project. You will not be the same person that you were when you come off.”
Matthew K., Team Leader
“It is a culmination of so many things that I care about, like academics and ecology. That was a huge component of this journey that helped me deal with all the challenges. I just learned so much about nature and also myself.”Sonia W.
“If you stick to it, I promise you, the payoff is going to be so worth it!”Enoch D.
“I’ve been really enjoying this trip. I think that it really pushed me to my limits and tested my perseverance.”
Clayton M.