Belaying: A Brief History
American Alpine Institute
...not replace proper belay technique, they have become widely adopted in climbing gyms, sport climbing, and professional guiding. Today there… Read More
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label/Climbing Ethics
Programs
Guided Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding in Colorado’s San Juans
The San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado provide fulfilling alpine experiences for all backcountry skiers and snowboarders alike. The low density continental snowpack and short-lived storms combine to make the…
December - April
1+ days
Vocational Training for the Outdoor Professional
…this covered in the AMTL 1 course) Alpine Ice Climbing – Introduction (Note: Curriculum for this covered in the AMTL 2 course) *GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the…
Year-round
Varies
Backpacking in the North Cascades
…Leave No Trace ethics and techniques so that you will be skilled at limiting or eliminating your potential impacts on the wilderness. Along the way, you enjoy gourmet meals and…
July - September
Custom
Patagonia – Gorra Blanca Expedition
…and ice climbing with angles ranging 30- to 40-degrees up to a scenic summit. Though attempts on the mountain were made as early as the thirties, the first successful ascent…
September - March
5-Days
Mt. Vinson Expedition
…at Mt. Vinson basecamp. AAI/AC Collection. Though not as technically difficult as some of the other Seven Summits, climbers should still be well versed in snow and ice climbing, should…
November - January
16 days
Nepal – Khumbu Trek & Island Peak
This climbing and trekking program explores several of the largest mountain valley systems in the Khumbu Himal and includes optional ascents of 20,306-foot Island Peak (Imja Tse). We also visit…
April - May; October - November
24 days
Alaska Range Ski Mountaineering
The Alaska Range offers some of the finest ski mountaineering terrain on earth—vast glaciers, technical peaks, steep descents, and true expedition climbing in a remote wilderness environment. This program is…
April - June
11 days
Avalanche Awareness Seminars
You hear a loud WHOOMPH! That’s usually how it starts. Then you see it. A spider-web of fracture lines shoot out around your skis. And before you know it, the…
October - March
90 minutes
Avalanche Refresher – AIARE 1
You’re out on a ski tour in the backcountry and the slope you’ve decided to descend looks questionable. You have avalanche training, but it’s been a while since you’ve used…
December - March
1 day
Backcountry Skiing – Intro
This one-day intro to backcountry skiing course is perfect for strong resort skiers ready to leave the groomers behind and discover the freedom of untracked snow. Under the guidance of…
December - March
1 Day
Guided Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding in the Cascades
We offer guided ski and snowboard descents on some of Washington’s most iconic peaks, including Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, and others. Our private trips are…
December - June
1 day and up
Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part III
Ski Mountaineering and Advanced Avalanche Decision-Making This 12-day program helps advanced skiers and splitboarders refine their technical skills, deepen their avalanche judgement, and confidently plan and execute multi-day objectives in…
Mid-February - April
12 days
Program Activities
Alpine Climbing & Mountaineering
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This is mountain climbing in its most classic form – over rock, snow, alpine ice, and glaciers, in pursuit of major summits.
Rock Climbing
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Once mere skill-practice for mountaineers, rock climbing is now a highly developed sport, with numerous sub-disciplines such as trad, sport, and aid.
Ice Climbing
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One of the most fundamental skills of mountaineering, ice climbing comprises skills for tackling both waterfall ice and alpine ice/glacier ice.
High Altitude Climbing & Seven Summits
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Climbing the highest mountains in the world is a special discipline of mountaineering, with unique challenges and rewards.
Backcountry Skiing & Boarding
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Guided skiing in world-famous backcountry, and skills instruction for skiers, split-boarders, and ski mountaineers
Avalanche Training
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Avalanche safety training is a must for anyone who ventures into the backcountry in winter, and we offer the gold standard in avalanche education.
Hiking And Backpacking
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Living and moving in the mountains is a reward in itself, and provides the fundamental skills that underlie all mountaineering.
Wilderness Skills
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Those who venture into the wilderness must draw from a deep skill base, including navigation, outdoor cooking, water purification, and countless others.
Program Types
Expeditions
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Longer trips in remote locations to ascend major peaks, including the Seven Summits
Private & Custom Trips
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Custom adventures for individuals or groups – with the best-trained guides in the industry
Treks, Tours, & Backpacking
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Full-service, non-technical adventures for all outdoor enthusiasts
Government, Military, & Veterans
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Training for government personnel and vocational programs for veterans using VA benefits
Articles
What’s the Best Month to Climb in the Cascades?
American Alpine Institute
...soft snow, it is challenging to discuss avalanches. But it’s easy to develop higher-end cramponing skills. Indeed, as there’s more… Read More
“Ask a Guide” Letters
American Alpine Institute
...Director of the AMGA. Letters Ice Screw Placement on Multi-Pitch Climbs Climbing Efficiently with Large Groups Cordellettes vs. Slings Speaking… Read More
How to Select an Alpine Rack
American Alpine Institute
...or subtract gear, reflecting the characteristics of my climbing objective. Below is a discussion of each of the components of… Read More
Mountain Weather: When to Go for the Summit
American Alpine Institute
...anyway that awareness of weather must be combined with solid navigation skills, knowledge of self-rescue, and well-founded decision-making abilities to… Read More
Mt. Baker, North Ridge
American Alpine Institute
...more information on climbing this amazing route! Guide Coley Gentzel’s North Ridge Story Former AAI Program Coordinator and Guide… 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
The Seven Summits
American Alpine Institute
...climbing objective in the late 1980’s. Pat Morrow, a Canadian mountaineer, became the first to climb all seven in 1985.… 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
Ice Axes and Tools for Alpine Climbing
American Alpine Institute
Question: From the December 2005 edition of AAI’s E-newsletter On a technically oriented alpine climb involving a good amount of… Read More
Blog Posts
Leeper Hangers: A Piece of Climbing History That Deserves a Second Look
American Alpine Institute
August 7, 2026
Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad – 2/22/19
American Alpine Institute
February 28, 2019