Skills Expeditions
Intensive On-the-Climb Training on the Way to Major Summits
American Alpine Institute's Skills Expeditions are designed to provide outdoors enthusiasts who have minimal climbing experience a rapid introduction to the skills necessary to climb major peaks. These expeditions can also serve as acclimatization climbs for more advanced climbers pursuing high-altitude summits.
Skills Expeditions
Intensive On-the-Climb Training on the Way to Major Summits
View from a Bolivia II camp in the Condoriri Lake District. Cerro Condoriri is in the distance and its West Wing is to its left in the center of the photo. Miles NewbyThe high peaks of Bolivia's Cordillera Real offer some of the most spectacular alpine climbing in the world. Join AAI for just the first part of this skill-building expedition, or use it to prepare and acclimatize for the Illimani Expedition.
- Location:Cordillera Real, Bolivia
- Season:May - September
- Length:17 days or 10 days without acclimatization trek
- Cost:Starting at $3140
Climbers celebrating on an unnamed, previously unclimbed summit in the St. Elias Range. Paul ValulisIntroducing Alaska and expedition climbing, participants with previous mountaineering experience will learn the skills to be a rope team leader on moderate glacial terrain while intermediate climbers review snow and ice techniques, protective systems, and crevasse rescue. All participants attempt ascents at a beginner or intermediate level in the Wrangell-Saint Elias Mountains.
- Location:St. Elias Range, Alaska
- Season:May - June
- Length:Varies
- Cost:Please contact AAI for pricing
A group of AAI climbers attempt Cayembe to put the information learned during instruction into practice.With two days of skills instruction, those with little technical climbing experience have the opportunity to ascend Cayambe (18,997 ft) and Cotopaxi (19,348 ft) by way of classic snow and ice routes.
- Location:Ecuadorian Andes
- Season:November - March, May - July
- Length:10 days, or 14 with Chimborazo extension
- Cost:$3520 or $4650 with Chimborazo extension
Expedition camp on Toqllaraju. Andrew WexlerAscents of Nevado Urus Este (17,783 ft.), Ishinca (18,143 ft.), Toqllaraju (19,790 ft.) plus review of alpine climbing and glacier travel skills.
- Location:Cordillera Blanca, Peru
- Season:May - August
- Length:14 days or 20 days w/6 day extension for Chopicalqui
- Cost:$3590, or $4790 with Chopicalqui extension
Lamoshe, on the right, means "Goddess Peak" and is the highest objective in this sub-range of the Daxue Shan range. Andy BourneBring your expedition climbing skills to a remote part of China and climb Lamoshe (19,915 ft). This unique program revives the adventuresome spirit of climbing, taking us into a range of major peaks that have escaped attention by western climbers.
- Location:Sichuan, China
- Season:September - October
- Length:13 days
- Cost:$8900 for 6:3
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