Denali Summit Strategies & Mountain Flexibility
American Alpine Institute
...summit success. A Note about “Mountain Safety” While AAI has an impressive record on the mountain, that doesn’t mean that… Read More
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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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- Ask a Guide Letters (22)
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Why Climb Denali (Mt. McKinley) with American Alpine Institute?
American Alpine Institute
...of leadership. –Mark C. Food on the mountain was excellent and varied. Genuinely not a bad meal. Quantities were great… Read More
Deep Snow Immersion: Tree Wells and Moats
American Alpine Institute
Deep snow immersion is a dangerous situation where a skier or snowboarder becomes immobilized in deep, loose snow, often in… Read More
Toprope Solo Techniques
American Alpine Institute
...lot of climbing experience. This is primarily because there is no one there to ensure that you did everything right.… Read More
Micro Cam Considerations
American Alpine Institute
...sizes are often treated as “marginal” or “backup” protection. Repeated falls on a poorly placed micro cam can bend lobes… 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
Mt. Shuksan Climbing Guide: Top 3 Routes Explained
American Alpine Institute
...routes and alpine ice climbing, its diverse terrain offers challenges and thrills for every level of mountaineer. Sulphide Glacier Grade… Read More
The Seven Summits
American Alpine Institute
...climbing objective in the late 1980’s. Pat Morrow, a Canadian mountaineer, became the first to climb all seven in 1985.… Read More
Top Backcountry Skiing Routes and Objectives in the North Cascades
American Alpine Institute
The North Cascades offer some of the best backcountry skiing routes in the Pacific Northwest, with options ranging from gentle… Read More
North Cascades Climbing and Mountaineering Objectives: From Beginner Routes to Advanced Adventures
American Alpine Institute
The North Cascades are a playground for climbers and mountaineers of all skill levels, offering a wide range of routes… Read More
Summit Mt. Baker: A Guide to the Easton, Squak, and Coleman-Deming Routes
American Alpine Institute
...route for your climb. Not sure you want to tackle Mt. Baker on your own? We have guided climbs available!… Read More
Snow Flotation for Climbers: Skis or Snowshoes?
American Alpine Institute
In the mountaineering courses and expeditions that we run at AAI, there are many instances where we must bring some… Read More
Kilimanjaro Trek: Good Living on the Top of Africa
American Alpine Institute
...of good living. If you’re looking for a tale of extreme courage and dramatic precipices, you should refer to our… Read More
Red Rock Super-Classic: Epinephrine
American Alpine Institute
...our perfect day in the mountains on a classic route like Epinephrine. Interested in climbing Epinephrine? Click the link to… Read More
50 Classic Climbs
American Alpine Institute
...the climbing world and in our society as a whole have forced a reassessment of the traditional answers to these… Read More
Selecting Equipment for Waterfall Ice and Mixed Climbing
American Alpine Institute
Getting equipped for waterfall ice climbing, a highly equipment-intensive activity, used to be easy. You just had to buy some… Read More
Grand Tour of the Eastern Sierra
American Alpine Institute
...quartz, and it reminded me of the original Superman movie, during which one sees the planet Krypton in its crystalline… Read More
Fighting for Fitzroy
American Alpine Institute
AAI Instructor and Guide Rising from the middle of the flat Patagonian steppe, Fitzroy and Cerro Torre are two… Read More
Rock Shoes: Board-Lasted vs. Slip-Lasted
American Alpine Institute
“They should be tight man, really tight.” You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again. It happens all over… Read More
Success in Sichuan: Second Ascent of Reddomaine
American Alpine Institute
An AAI Team Makes the Second Ascent of China’s 20,050-foot Reddomaine By Aidan Loehr AAI Instructor and Guide Mountain… 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
What’s the Best Month to Climb in the Cascades?
American Alpine Institute
...when to join us for a climb or program. Early Season (late April – mid/late May): The Big Mountain Experience… Read More
Crevasse Rescue – Introduction
American Alpine Institute
...needs to happen quickly, even if the climber is uninjured. Crevasse rescue is a mandatory skill for mountaineers, followers and… Read More
