Backcountry Meal Planning Guide
American Alpine Institute
...low on fuel quickly impacts pace, decision-making, and morale. Good meal planning keeps weight reasonable while delivering enough energy to… 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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- Skills (1)
- Trip Reports (7)
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- Ask a Guide Letters (22)
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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
Practice Your Climbing Knots Online
American Alpine Institute
Basic Knots for Climbers and Mountaineers: Notes and Online Animations By Tom Kirby AAI Instructor and Guide Introductory Terminology: Knots,… 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
...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
...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
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
...a bit and use the principles contained herein to guide your experiments. Gear needed (diagram and labels in photo… 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
...medium mountaineering; glacier climbing; scrambling routes in the mountains; and multi-day outings where your feed need to be warm, relatively… 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
The Physical Difficulties of High-Altitude Mountaineering Former AAI Program Coordinator and Guide The process of advising and screening for… 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
...guarantee your climbing will be fast and effective. Don’t forget to have fun in the process! Click the link to… 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
From the December 2005 edition of AAI’s E-newsletter Snow avalanches occur tens of thousands of times each year throughout the… Read More
Picture Savvy: Improving Your Climbing Photography
American Alpine Institute
...card or storage device. If you’re using film be careful while rewinding your film in super cold temperatures. Film can… Read More