Expert Tips

Lightweight, calorie-dense, and practical strategies for fueling in the mountains Mountaineering demands a lot from your body. Cold, altitude, heavy… Read More

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 is an advanced climbing technique where two climbers move up a route at the same time while tied to… Read More

Pioneers in Mountaineering, Climbing, and Adventure “Mountain climbing is the greatest sport in the world…There is no better fun than… Read More

...symmetry, making it much easier for climbing partners to cross-check than some of the alternatives. See animation here. Double Fisherman’s… Read More

...and techniques of rock climbing. Top Rope Climbing vs. Lead Climbing On small crags or practice boulders where there is… Read More

“They should be tight man, really tight.” You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again. It happens all over… Read More

...rated only as aid climbing protection and not for falls), so you should decide what length of screws to bring… Read More

In the mountaineering courses and expeditions that we run at AAI, there are many instances where we must bring some… Read More

...already available on the internet, but much of it does not apply to taking cameras up mountains where conditions are… Read More

...or subtract gear, reflecting the characteristics of my climbing objective. Below is a discussion of each of the components of… Read More

...some of the the technical knowledge and experience necessary for making smart decisions about what you decide to put in… Read More

...on long routes as well, such as making it to the burger and beer joint before closing time! Mike Powers,… Read More

...Mountain Weather Mountain Weather by Jeff Renner Practical Mountain Weather: A Guide for Hikers, Climbers and Skiers by John Papineau… Read More

From the December 2005 edition of AAI’s E-newsletter Snow avalanches occur tens of thousands of times each year throughout the… Read More

...shots later in your presentation. Don’t stop shooting after reaching the summit. Many good mountaineering photos are made while going… Read More

Whether you are traveling alone, taking part in an expedition or climbing course, or responding as a member of a… Read More

Reading the AAC’s “Accidents” Could Save Your Life What is it about climbing accidents that so fascinates us?  Magazines regularly… Read More

​ AAI Program Coordinator and Denali guide Pulling sleds on an expedition is very much a love-hate relationship – one… Read More

...Climbing Styles: What Do the Different Terms Mean? Alpine Efficiency: Combining Speed and Safety Selecting Equipment for Waterfall Ice and… Read More

...very specific piece of gear designed. For most applications (approach, ice climbing, rock climbing, etc.) you will likely have a… Read More

...Mountaineering While climbing, skiing, and mountaineering in the winter, your hands are gloved almost 100% of the time. Snow tends… Read More

...route, there are some sections of the route that require physical conditioning outside of walking on moderate slopes with heavy… Read More