Backcountry Meal Planning Guide
American Alpine Institute
...Powders Foods that Tend to be Inefficient Foods with high water content Lean meats Bulky, low-fat snacks 3. Balance Nutrition… 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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AAI Articles
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- Expert Tips (23)
- FAQs (3)
- Peaks and Routes (5)
- Route Information (2)
- Skills (1)
- Trip Reports (7)
- AAI Programs (2)
- Ask a Guide Letters (22)
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
...bunch up at the progress capture. Ideally, the rope between climbers is short. You often don’t want more than forty… Read More
Women Who Conquered the Outdoors:
American Alpine Institute
...climb and I wanted to teach other women the joy of climbing,” Wagen told an interviewer in 1923, in a… Read More
Practice Your Climbing Knots Online
American Alpine Institute
...body on a sling. Clove Hitch In situations where you need a strong knot that is fast to tie and… 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
Rock Shoes: Board-Lasted vs. Slip-Lasted
American Alpine Institute
...in the alpine with socks and a full size is good if your plan is to go go barefoot in… Read More
Selecting Equipment for Waterfall Ice and Mixed Climbing
American Alpine Institute
...up, head out, and get on some ice! Recommended Reading: Alpine Climbing: Techniques to Take You Higher by Kathy Cosley… Read More
Snow Flotation for Climbers: Skis or Snowshoes?
American Alpine Institute
...a fall hazard. Terrain type Terrain type is very critical in my own decision-making. When the terrain is wide-open, such… Read More
Using Your Camera in the Mountains
American Alpine Institute
...already available on the internet, but much of it does not apply to taking cameras up mountains where conditions are… 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
As climbers, we are all quite familiar with photography. A camera rides shotgun on most climbing trips, whether it’s a… Read More
Building Your Wilderness First Aid Kit
American Alpine Institute
...etc.) from expedition equipment Heat Stroke ♦ Mist bottle for cooling in arid climates ♦ Digital thermometer Heat Exhaustion &… 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
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
...on yourself, for it’s safe to say that you will almost never get it exactly right – and when you… Read More
Glove Systems for Mountaineering and Alpine Climbing
American Alpine Institute
...uphill) can be a quick and easy way to dry your gloves while in action. Be careful of drying gloves… Read More
How Difficult is Climbing Denali’s West Buttress?
American Alpine Institute
...the sled to their pack. There is no right way and no wrong way to rid for pulling sleds and… Read More
How to Select an Alpine Rack
American Alpine Institute
...“north wall hammer” (an ice axe with a hammer end in place of an adze end) instead of carrying a… Read More
Mountain Preparedness: What Goes in a Guide’s Pack
American Alpine Institute
...the importance of “going light.” These commentaries most commonly arise in the context of marketing efforts and in declarations from… Read More
Alpine Efficiency: Combining Speed and Safety
American Alpine Institute
...you need to remain safe. When climbing together in easier terrain, make use of terrain features for anchors and use… Read More
Mountain Weather: When to Go for the Summit
American Alpine Institute
...that knock us off our feet or with a flash of lightning that allows us to momentarily see our partner’s… Read More