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Mountain & Outdoor industry news

Mountaineering and Snow Climbing

For more than fifteen years, the AAI Blog has kept the mountain community up to date on news, events, and developments in the outdoor industry, leavened with a bit of humor.

Spring Wet Loose Slide Hazard

American Alpine Institute
March 24, 2026

Water Hazards Under the Snow

American Alpine Institute
February 26, 2026
Ascending the Fixed Lines above Camp 3

The Mountaineer’s Rest Step

American Alpine Institute
January 4, 2026
Learning how to navigate in white out conditions is essential when mountaineering, especially when carrying sleds on skis like this group of backcountry tourers on an American Alpine Institute ski course

Using Skis on Denali (Mt. McKinley)

American Alpine Institute
December 13, 2025

Moulins and Glaciers

American Alpine Institute
November 16, 2025

No Axe Self-Arrest

American Alpine Institute
November 10, 2025

Fixed Lines: A Primer

American Alpine Institute
October 20, 2025
Tiny climbers barely visible on the horizon of the Sulphide Glacier of Mt. Shuksan on an American Alpine Institute mountaineering program

Solo Glacier Travel

American Alpine Institute
October 11, 2025

In Balance, Out-of-Balance

American Alpine Institute
June 10, 2022

Glacier Travel Ettiquete

American Alpine Institute
June 6, 2022

Cutting Steps in the Snow or on Ice

American Alpine Institute
May 30, 2022

The Dangers of Glissading

American Alpine Institute
May 6, 2022

Attaching an Ice Axe to a Pack

American Alpine Institute
March 18, 2022

The Art of the Plunge Step

American Alpine Institute
June 15, 2021

Self-Arrest Techniques

American Alpine Institute
June 11, 2021

The Mountaineers Rest Step

American Alpine Institute
May 19, 2020

Sunburns in the Mountains

American Alpine Institute
April 20, 2020

Winter Backcountry Travel 101: Improvised Snow Shelters

American Alpine Institute
February 18, 2020

Climbing as a Party of Three on Technical Glaciated Climbs

American Alpine Institute
September 6, 2019

Self-Arrest with Crampons

American Alpine Institute
May 17, 2019

Snow Seats and Dynamic Belays

American Alpine Institute
August 8, 2017

Snow Climbing Techniques: The Stomper Belay

American Alpine Institute
July 24, 2017

Snow Climbing Techniques: The Butt-Axe Belay

American Alpine Institute
June 16, 2017

Down vs. Synthetic

American Alpine Institute
June 20, 2016