Physical Conditioning for Mountaineering Expeditions
American Alpine Institute
...in coaching endurance athletes like climbers, mountaineers and backcountry skiers. You can learn about some of these outside resources in… Read More
Educational articles
Articles
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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- Ask a Guide Letters (22)
- Expert Tips (23)
- FAQs (3)
- Peaks and Routes (5)
- Route Information (2)
- Skills (1)
- Trip Reports (7)
- AAI Programs (2)
50 Classic Climbs
American Alpine Institute
...routes and areas are available to AAI through our existing permits with land managers. Routes that were in the original… Read More
Fighting for Fitzroy
American Alpine Institute
...the Indian name for Fitzroy. Likening the mountain’s constant cloud cover to smoke, the natives named it “Chalten” meaning “volcano”… 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
Mt. Baker, North Ridge
American Alpine Institute
Route Profile Location: North Cascades of Washington, Mt. Baker Wilderness Season: Nearly year round. May through September bring the best… Read More
Mount Waddington and British Columbia’s Coast Range
American Alpine Institute
...great mountaineering route. Harder Routes Mt. Waddington, South Face (Bravo Glacier Route) Technically, the aspect is southwest, not south. This… Read More
Father and Son in the Alps: Climbing the Alps Trilogy
American Alpine Institute
...they wanted to do was far from a walk in the park. “I knew they were serious mountains,” Brandon said,… 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
Grand Tour of the Eastern Sierra
American Alpine Institute
Eight Days of Climbing with AAI in the “Range of Light” Text and Photos by Zac Merriman Zac on the… Read More
Red Rock Super-Classic: Epinephrine
American Alpine Institute
...in the entire Southwest. Epinephrine is a route that is often described as a classic climb; it’s also frequently described… Read More
What’s the Right Length for a Cordelette?
American Alpine Institute
Question: From the September 2006 edition of AAI’s E-newsletter What is a good length for a cordelette in an alpine… 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
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
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
Winter Mountaineering Gear: Snow Cave or Tent?
American Alpine Institute
...you took me into a gear store and I needed the following three items to survive and enjoy a high… Read More
Choosing a Denali Guide
American Alpine Institute
...you have a fair amount of mountaineering experience under your belt. Many climbers who decide on climbing denali with a… Read More
Mountain Preparedness: What Goes in a Guide’s Pack
American Alpine Institute
Article by John Scripps, AAI Assistant Registrar, with quotes from Seth Hobby, AAI Instructor and Guide From the September 2006… 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
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
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
Climbing Accident Reports: How (and Why) to Read Them
American Alpine Institute
...Traps in Recreational Avalanche Accidents”, set in motion changes in the way avalanche safety is taught in the United States… 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
Ecuador Volcanoes – A Climbing Trip Report
American Alpine Institute
The Cayambe hut with the Hermosa glacier pouring in slow motion down the mountain’s West Face. Editor’s note: Climbing in… Read More
Climbing Articles
American Alpine Institute
...ice, alpine, and ski mountaineering, both here in the Cascades and further afield. Below is a selection of articles. Be… Read More
