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Programs

Rope rescue students practice with a litter at a cliff edge on an American Alpine Institute rope rescue course
WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Technical Rope Rescue Level I – Operations

When accidents happen on steep or rugged terrain, first responders need the skills to act quickly and safely. Whether it’s a vehicle over an embankment, a stranded hiker, or an…

Year Round
4 days
North side of Carstensz Pyramid
Papua New Guinea Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Carstensz Pyramid/Puncak Jaya

…the Seven Summits. It stands in the Jayawijaya Mountain Range, a limestone protrusion that spans the equatorial island of New Guinea from Irian Jaya in the west, through to Papua…

February-March, August-October
11 days
Alpine Rock in the Sierra
Sierra Nevada, CA; Squamish, BC Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Alpine Rock Climbing

The most beautiful rock on the planet is that which is found on the high spires and jagged peaks of the great ranges of the world. The aesthetics of alpine…

May - September
6 or 12 days
Ouray Ice Climbing Happy
Lee Vining, CA; Ouray, CO Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Ice Climbing – Introduction

Ice climbing is a vital part of any alpine climber’s quiver of skills. Over the last three decades, advancements in equipment and clothing have made the sport much more accessible…

January - March
2 days; 5 days
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Youth Climbing Programs
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Leaders of Tomorrow – Summit Camp

The American Alpine Institute’s Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) program is the only comprehensive youth climbing and mountaineering program of its kind in North America. Designed for motivated teens and young…

July
6 or 13-Days
Joshua Tree National Park, CA Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Guided Rock Climbing at Joshua Tree, CA

Joshua Tree National Park is a classic winter retreat for rock climbers of all levels. The colors, the plant-life, the animals and the rock in this unique 4,000-foot plateau at…

October - May
1+ days
Limestone Cliff Climbing in Laos
Thakhek, Laos or Vang Vieng, Laos Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips, Treks, Tours, & Backpacking
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Southeast Asia Rock Climbing and Exploration

This program allows you to completely immerse yourself in the stunning scenery, traditional culture, and adventurous side of Laos. Although this country is rapidly modernizing, the old lifestyles here are…

October - May
14 days or 21 days
Washington, Nevada, Utah, and California, British Columbia Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Learn to Lead – Trad Rock Climbing Leadership

…lead belaying, rope management, and efficient movement, all while developing the judgment and problem-solving ability needed to climb without relying on a guide or mentor. By the end of the…

Year Round
4 days
Students set up an advanced hauling system with a tripod on an American Alpine Institute rope rescue program
WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Technical Rope Rescue Level II – Technician

The American Alpine Institute Rope Rescue Level II: Technician Course builds on the Operations Level foundation, advancing participants to complex hauling systems, high-line techniques, dynamic rope applications, and rescue team…

Year-round
5 days
Zebras and Kilimanjaro
Tanzania, East Africa Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Kilimanjaro Expedition

…summit of Africa. Nathan Evenson. Rising like a colossal island from the sun-scorched African savanna, Mount Kilimanjaro is a world of impossible contrasts. This isn’t just a mountain; it’s a…

June - February
10 Days, Climb only; 13 Days, Climb and Safari
A group of rescuers set up an advanced rope system for a technical rope rescue on Mt. Baker during an American Alpine Institute rope rescue course
Mt. Baker, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Advanced Mountain Rescue

Complex team and self-rescue operations are made even more complex by a remote environment, but in mountain rescue, a remote environment is just the beginning. The complexities of rescue activity…

April - December
5 days
Mt. Baker, Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Alpinism 1 – Introduction to Mountaineering

Alpinism 1 is our most popular entry-level mountaineering course, designed for anyone ready to step into glaciated peaks and alpine environments. Whether you’re dreaming of climbing Mount Baker, aiming for…

May - September
6 days

Program Activities

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Backcountry Skiing & Boarding

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Guided skiing in world-famous backcountry, and skills instruction for skiers, split-boarders, and ski mountaineers
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Outdoor Educator & Guide Training

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Technical and non-technical leadership courses from the AMGA's longest-accredited guide service
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Technical Rescue & Medical

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Industry standard technical rescue and wilderness medicine instruction

Program Types

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Instructional Courses

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Intensive mountain skills instruction and summit climbs
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Group Summit Climbs

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Introductory summit climbs with some skills instruction
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Expeditions

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Longer trips in remote locations to ascend major peaks, including the Seven Summits
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Private & Custom Trips

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Custom adventures for individuals or groups – with the best-trained guides in the industry
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Treks, Tours, & Backpacking

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Full-service, non-technical adventures for all outdoor enthusiasts
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Government, Military, & Veterans

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Training for government personnel and vocational programs for veterans using VA benefits
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Youth Climbing Programs

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Our youth programs inspire young adventurers to explore the outdoors, build confidence, and develop climbing and leadership skills in a fun and supportive environment.
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Mountain Center & Events

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Short classroom and outdoor courses, films, lectures, and other low-cost programming for the local outdoor community

Articles

Blog Posts

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad – 4/25/19

American Alpine Institute
April 25, 2019