"Alpine climbing" refers to mountain climbing in its most classic form. An alpine climber uses a wide range of techniques to gain a summit, often carrying the bare minimum of technical gear, and relying instead on a deep skill base, adaptability, and good decision making. The courses listed here emphasize the multi-disciplinary character of alpine climbing, teaching a combination of rock climbing, ice climbing, snow skills, and glacier travel, or all of the above.
A student sets up a Z-pulley system to extract a fallen climber from a crevasse. Dylan TaylorThis 3-day course is a thorough introduction to the bare minimum skills necessary to climb glaciated peaks in a party led by a more seasoned climber. Though the course is designed as a cost-effective introduction, it is also popular with experienced leaders as a refresher course. Continual improvement of our curriculum ensures that this course is a good way to keep up with the state of the art.
- Location:Mt. Baker, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:3 Days
- Cost:$910 Regular Season; $750 Late Season
A mock victim waits in a crevasse on Mt. Baker as students build a Z-pulley system to perform the rescue. Dylan TaylorThis course provides a general introduction to the sport of mountain climbing, including one day of rock climbing and five days on Mt. Baker for a thorough introduction to glacier travel, crevasse rescue, self-arrest, and movement on snow and ice. The course culminates with a climb of Mt. Baker.
- Location:Mt. Baker, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:6 days
- Cost:$1775 Regular Season; $1495 Late Season
A climber finishing pitch 3 of the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell (7,720 ft.), a granite spire in Washington Pass. Jason MartinThis course provides a thorough introduction to alpine rock climbing at a moderate standard. Take this course to raise your skills to the intermediate level while climbing a series of spectacular North Cascades alpine summits such as South Early Winter Spire, Liberty Bell, Eldorado Peak, and Mt. Shuksan. Taken together with Alpinism 1, this course is the equivalent of our Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership, Part 1.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:6 days
- Cost:$1995
Climbers nearing the summit of Sahale Peak, with Sharkfin Tower and Boston Peak in the background. Gerry ChikeJournalists have called AAI's four-part mountain leadership program "the country's most respected and thorough rock and mountaineering course." Part one (12 days) introduces glacier skills and alpine rock climbing at a moderate difficulty level. After training on the Easton Glacier, we climb Mount Baker, make ascents in the Washington Pass area, and conclude with a student-led ascent of a major North Cascades summit.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$3395
Climbers near the summit of Forbidden Peak, on the West Ridge route. Bryan FeinsteinPart 2 of AAI’s four-part mountain leadership series introduces rock and alpine ice leadership skills. We then put those skills to the test on student-led ascents of the challenging peaks around Boston Basin, such as Forbidden Peak and Sharkfin Tower, and on an alpine ice climb on the massive glaciers of Mount Baker.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - September
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$3455
Snowpatch Spire in the Bugaboos of British Columbia. Andy BournePart 3 of AAI’s alpine leadership curriculum introduces advanced alpine skills and expedition planning. Students co-lead a significant expedition to a remote part of Washington’s North Cascades or to British Columbia’s Bugaboo Provincial Park.
- Location:North Cascades, WA or Bugaboos, BC
- Season:May - September
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$3995 Cascade Traverse $4095 Bugaboos
A climber moving up on Mt. Munday, Coast Range, BC. Michael PowersThe final part of AAI’s alpine leadership series calls on all the skills acquired in the first three parts as we mount an expedition to attempt significant objectives in one of three remote locations: a remote traverse in the Cascade range that includes several ascents, a ski mountaineering program deep within the Cascades. Or a trip to the Coast Range of British Columbia for an ascent of 13,186-ft. Mt. Waddington.
- Location:Cascade Range, WA; Coast Range, BC
- Season:April - September
- Length:12 days
- Cost:$4025 Ptarmigan; $4450 Ski
A climber works up the fantastic North Ridge of Lone Pine Peak (5.5, III). Photo by Mike PowersSome of the most inspirational and beautiful lines in North America may be found on remote, high and wild alpine peaks. The first part of this two-part program introduces climbers to the art of alpine rock climbing. The second part expands on the knowledge presented in the first part and provides climbers with the skills and techniques to lead their own alpine rock routes.
- Location:Sierra Nevada, CA; Rocky Mountain NP, CO
- Season:May - September
- Length:6 or 12 days
- Cost:$1920 ($3600 for Parts 1 and 2)
High on the North Ridge of Mt. Baker. Alasdair TurnerThe first course offered by AAI in 1975, this intensive program provides thorough instruction in all the skills required on difficult alpine ice climbs. Through this curriculum, you will develop a complete repertoire of state-of-the-art high-angle snow and ice climbing skills and learn to apply them efficiently in all conditions. All of this instruction is located in America's top glacier training area, the Coleman Glacier of Mt. Baker.
- Location:North Cascades, WA
- Season:May - August
- Length:6 Days
- Cost:$1995
An AAI climber on a Sierra Winter Mountaineering course descending Mt Whitney.A skills focused course designed to transition mountaineers and experienced backpackers to alpine travel and climbing in winter conditions. This course is offered in three stunning locations throughout the winter and spring - the Mount Whitney Zone in the Sierra Nevada, CA, Ouray, CO, and Rocky Mountain National Park, CO.
- Location:California & Colorado
- Season:January - March
- Length:5 days
- Cost:$1895
A Women's Only Alpinism 1 descending the Easton Glacier on their way back to Bellingham. Lauren SmithWomen interested in climbing with other women are invited to take their rock climbing or mountaineering skills to the next level on a women-specific AAI course. Learn to lead climb or summit a snow-capped peak in a supportive, all-women environment. Our women's programs include rock climbing clinics, mountaineering courses, and custom trips.
- Location:Washington, British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California
- Season:Year-round
- Length:Varies
- Cost:Varies
Glacier Peak. The standard route is the Disappointment Peak Cleaver on the left-hand skyline.At 10,525-feet tall, Glacier Peak is not only Washington State's fourth tallest volcano, it is also the State's most remote. This six-day introduction to mountaineering program provides fit novice climbers with an exceptional instructional experience deep in the heart of the Cascades. Glacier Peak is a stunning mountain, surrounded by other stunning mountains...
- Location:Glacier Peak, WA
- Season:June - July
- Length:6 days
- Cost:$1570
A backpacker's high camp near White Rock Lake on the Ptarmigan Traverse backpacking route. Myron AllenAn introductory weekend backpacking trip designed for people with little or no overnight camping experience in the wilderness. Set in the North Cascades of Washington, this course covers equipment selection, navigation, meal planning and cooking, and campsite selection.
- Location:North Cascades, Washington
- Season:May - September
- Length:2-day weekend
- Cost:$650
Rope teams using two-tool technique as they near the exit of the V-Notch Couloir. Michael PowersAlpine ice persists year-round in many shaded couloirs and gullies in the high Sierra. This terrain is the perfect outdoor classrooms for teaching alpine ice climbing, one of the fundamental skills of mountaineering.
This course will prepare you for any alpine ice you would encounter in the Sierras and give you a solid base for climbing on larger glaciers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
- Location:Eastern Sierra Nevada, California
- Season:Spring – Fall
- Length:Flexible
- Cost:Contact AAI Office for more details
Students practicing multi-pitch techniques at Crystal Crag, near Mammoth. Michael PowersLike our well-known Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership - Part 1, this course introduces snow, ice, and alpine rock climbing skills at a moderate difficulty level. Participants learn fundamentals of snow climbing in the non-glaciated setting of the Eastern Sierra, then focus on alpine rock and ice while tackling major routes such as the Swiss Arete on Mt. Sill (14,153) and the U-Notch Couloir on North Palisade (14,242').
- Location:Eastern Sierra, CA
- Season:Spring – Fall
- Length:Flexible
- Cost:Contact AAI Office for more details
Nearing the summit of the Moose's Tooth. Tad McCrea. An adventurous introduction to big mountain expeditions, you'll learn the climbing skills and techniques used in modern alpine mountaineering and earn the opportunity to climb several beautiful peaks in the heart of the Alaska Range. Prepare for Denali or other major climbs around the world.
- Location:Alaska Range, Alaska
- Season:April - June
- Length:10 days
- Cost:$6,995 (3:1 Climber to Guide Ratio)
A skier nearly at the summit of Mt. Baker. On the descent, he will have to navigate white-out conditions on the glacier without falling into a crevasse or getting lost. Jason MartinThe Backcountry Navigation Essentials course is a three-hour introductory course for those who spend time in the wilderness both on and off-trail. This program provides you with the basic skills required to manage wilderness route-finding on trails, in complicated terrain or in whiteout conditions.
- Location:Washington - AAI Mountain Center
- Season:Year-Round
- Length:3-hour evening program
- Cost:$85 for three or more students
Topographic maps, map-measuring aids, and a notebook are all important tools for planning your tours. But the skill to use them efficiently takes time and effort to develop. Jason MartinThe Backcountry Navigation Comprehensive course is a one-day program for those who spend significant time in the wilderness both on and off-trail. This program provides you with both the basic and advanced skills required to manage tour planning and wilderness route-finding on trails, in complicated terrain or in whiteout conditions.
- Location:Washington - AAI Mountain Center
- Season:Year-Round
- Length:1-Day
- Cost:$160 for three or more students