Backcountry Meal Planning Guide
American Alpine Institute
...food per person per day. For alpine climbing or summit pushes, daily intake often trends toward the higher end of… Read More
Educational articles
Expert Tips
AAI's website articles take a deep dive into topics important to climbers, skiers, and general outdoor enthusiasts, with an emphasis on skills, route information, and trip reports.
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- Peaks and Routes (5)
- Route Information (2)
- Skills (1)
- Trip Reports (7)
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- Ask a Guide Letters (22)
- Expert Tips (23)
Micro Cam Considerations
American Alpine Institute
Micro cams live in the world of finger cracks and below—tiny constrictions where larger gear simply won’t go. These cams… Read More
Simul-Climbing Technique
American Alpine Institute
Simul-climbing is an advanced climbing technique where two climbers move up a route at the same time while tied to… Read More
Women Who Conquered the Outdoors:
American Alpine Institute
...AAI Climbing Blog features several other posts that highlight women in climbing, including awe-inspiring rock climbing videos (2013), a discussion… Read More
Rock Shoes: Board-Lasted vs. Slip-Lasted
American Alpine Institute
...individual at the climbing shop. “Dude, you need shoes that hurt,” he tells you. “They should be at least two… Read More
Selecting Equipment for Waterfall Ice and Mixed Climbing
American Alpine Institute
...protection is also critical when climbing “mixed” routes, or routes that necessitate both rock and ice climbing in varying amounts.… Read More
Snow Flotation for Climbers: Skis or Snowshoes?
American Alpine Institute
...most difficult and potentially frustrating to use. Their uses are diverse: they may be appropriate for approaching a climbing objective,… Read More
Using Your Camera in the Mountains
American Alpine Institute
Alasdair Turner As a guide who always carries a camera, I am often asked about cameras on climbing trips and… Read More
Practice Your Climbing Knots Online
American Alpine Institute
...to tie the climbing rope to the climber’s harness. There are other good knots for this purpose, but the figure… Read More
Rock Climbing Terms: Styles and Techniques
American Alpine Institute
...and techniques of rock climbing. Top Rope Climbing vs. Lead Climbing On small crags or practice boulders where there is… Read More
Expert Tips
American Alpine Institute
...Climbing Styles: What Do the Different Terms Mean? Alpine Efficiency: Combining Speed and Safety Selecting Equipment for Waterfall Ice and… Read More
Footwear for Mountaineering and Climbing
American Alpine Institute
...didn’t need any special equipment or skill outside of the ability to walk, this is a non-technical route. A step… Read More
Glove Systems for Mountaineering and Alpine Climbing
American Alpine Institute
...Mountaineering While climbing, skiing, and mountaineering in the winter, your hands are gloved almost 100% of the time. Snow tends… Read More
How Difficult is Climbing Denali’s West Buttress?
American Alpine Institute
...route, there are some sections of the route that require physical conditioning outside of walking on moderate slopes with heavy… Read More
How to Select an Alpine Rack
American Alpine Institute
...or subtract gear, reflecting the characteristics of my climbing objective. Below is a discussion of each of the components of… Read More
Mountain Preparedness: What Goes in a Guide’s Pack
American Alpine Institute
...alpine ice climbing in the North Cascades of Washington. His trip was to include some glacier travel, camping on snow,… Read More
Alpine Efficiency: Combining Speed and Safety
American Alpine Institute
...on long routes as well, such as making it to the burger and beer joint before closing time! Mike Powers,… Read More
Mountain Weather: When to Go for the Summit
American Alpine Institute
...Mountain Weather Mountain Weather by Jeff Renner Practical Mountain Weather: A Guide for Hikers, Climbers and Skiers by John Papineau… Read More
Avalanche Safety: How to Avoid Getting Buried
American Alpine Institute
...more dangerous decisions. You do not ever want to have to use your rescue gear. 5. Travel with trusted, avalanche-educated… Read More
Picture Savvy: Improving Your Climbing Photography
American Alpine Institute
...someone who has no understanding of climbing trips. Photos of preparation, packing, and even training can be subjects that non-climbing… Read More
Building Your Wilderness First Aid Kit
American Alpine Institute
Whether you are traveling alone, taking part in an expedition or climbing course, or responding as a member of a… Read More
Climbing Accident Reports: How (and Why) to Read Them
American Alpine Institute
...retailers, and is delivered each year to members of the club along with the American Alpine Journal. By reading and… Read More
Expedition Sled Rigging
American Alpine Institute
AAI Program Coordinator and Denali guide Pulling sleds on an expedition is very much a love-hate relationship – one… Read More