The mountains are for everyone.
For LGBTQ+ climbers and mountaineers, finding a guide service where you can focus on learning, climbing, and having a great experience—without wondering whether you’ll be welcomed—is important. At American Alpine Institute, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to develop mountain skills, pursue ambitious objectives, and feel comfortable being themselves in the process.
For us, inclusion begins with how we teach. AAI takes a teacher-first approach to guiding, and our guides are selected not only for their technical expertise and mountain experience, but also for their ability to communicate, listen, mentor, and work effectively with a wide range of people. The best learning environments are ones where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, trying new things, and building confidence.
That matters particularly in climbing and mountaineering. Learning to climb, travel on glaciers, build anchors, manage a rope system, or make decisions in complex mountain terrain requires trust between students and guides. Everyone deserves to know that their guide is focused on helping them learn and succeed—not on whether they fit a particular idea of who belongs in the outdoors.
LGBTQ+ climbers and mountaineers aren’t a single community with a single set of experiences. Some people may specifically seek out LGBTQ+-only or LGBTQ+-centered climbing opportunities. Others simply want a professional guide service where their identity is respected and they can climb alongside people from all backgrounds. There is value in both approaches.
At AAI, our goal is to create a welcoming environment while providing the same high standard of mountain education to everyone. Whether you’re transitioning from the climbing gym to outdoor rock, learning alpine climbing skills in the North Cascades, developing glacier and expedition skills, or preparing for an objective such as Denali, our focus is on helping you become a more capable and confident mountain traveler.
We also believe that inclusion is connected to the broader health of the climbing community. A strong outdoor community is one where people from different backgrounds have opportunities to participate, learn, lead, and contribute. Creating that kind of community requires more than simply saying that everyone is welcome. It requires respect, thoughtful teaching, good communication, and a willingness to listen and learn.
Ultimately, climbing is about far more than reaching a summit. It’s about learning to solve problems, managing uncertainty, developing judgment, building relationships, and discovering what you’re capable of doing in challenging environments.
You shouldn’t have to change who you are to experience those things.
If you’re an LGBTQ+ climber or mountaineer looking for professional instruction and guiding in a supportive environment, American Alpine Institute welcomes you. Come learn with us, challenge yourself, and find your place in the mountains.
The mountains are yours, too.