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Programs

Mount Baker Backcountry, Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
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5
Physical
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Avalanche Training – AIARE Rescue

AIARE Avalanche Rescue is a one-day, hands-on course that prepares you for the moment no one wants, but every backcountry traveler must be ready for. You’ll build critical rescue skills…

December - March
1 day
A skier descends a steep slope in the remote backcountry mountain on an American Alpine Institute ski program.
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
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3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Backcountry Skiing – Advanced

This immersive two-day backcountry skiing clinic is designed for experienced skiers and splitboarders who want to go beyond the basics and push deeper into the wilderness. You’ll refine your touring…

January - April
2 Days
A mountain range glows in the background of camp at sunset. One of many amazing views in the North Cascades during an American Alpine Institute backpacking course
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
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4
5
Physical
1
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Backpacking in the North Cascades

Our private and custom backpacking trips will have you enjoying some of the most remote and inspiring alpine scenery in North America. From lush valley floors covered with old-growth fir…

July - September
Custom
Students learn rock climbing knots and movement at Mt. Erie above the Puget Sound of Washington on an American Alpine Institute rock climbing course
Mt. Erie, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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4
5

Beginning Rock Climbing – Mt Erie, WA

The Beginning Rock Climbing course is designed for individuals who have little to no experience in outdoor rock climbing. The objective of this 2-day course is to give participants the…

May - September
2 Days
Illampu from high on Ancohuma
Cordillera Real, Bolivia Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
1
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3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Bolivia – Ancohuma and Illampu Expedition

…the mountains from La Paz and our stay with the highland Aymara people. The Bolivian scenery leaves a lasting impact on those that are lucky enough to visit. AAI Collection….

June - September
18 days
Sierra Nevada, California Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

California Fourteeners Climbs

…variety of interests and abilities. Each peak affords stunning views of the beautiful landscapes of California, and only two (Mt. Shasta and White Mountain Peak) lie outside the Sierra Range….

Year-round
1+ Days
Petit Grepon and Sharkstooth
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park

…had climbed in England’s Lake District) and Eleanor Davis were probably the first people to practice belayed climbing in the United States. Their 1916 and 1925 ascents of Crestone Needle…

Year-Round
2 days and up
Climbing the West Rib
Alaska Range Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
1
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4
5
Physical
1
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4
5

Denali Expedition (Mt. Mckinley) – West Rib

A climber pauses during the physical ascent of the West Rib. AAI Collection. Denali’s West Rib route is a step up in difficulty from the West Buttress, the route normally…

May-June
21 days
A climber looks on at the summit of Glacier Peak during an American Alpine Institute mountaineering course
Glacier Peak, WA Special Offer
Type
Group Summit Climbs
Technical
1
2
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4
5
Physical
1
2
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4
5

Glacier Peak Climb and Skills Clinic

Glacier Peak, the most remote of Washington’s Cascade volcanoes, offers a truly classic alpine experience. Our Glacier Peak Skills and Climb program combines an unforgettable summit attempt with hands-on instruction…

June - July
6 days
Students set up a crevasse rescue anchor system
Mt. Baker, Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
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4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue

Train on the massive glaciers of Washington’s Mt. Baker, one of the premier glacier training grounds in the United States. This three-day program teaches essential glacier mountaineering skills, including front-pointing…

May - September
3 Days
Bugaboos - British Columbia Canada Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
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3
4
5
Physical
1
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4
5

Guided Alpine Rock Climbing in the Bugaboos, BC

Bugaboo Glacier Provincial Park encompasses scores of beautiful spires, all providing classic alpine routes on sweeping faces and elegantly defined ridges of high quality granite. The spires rise from the…

July - September
7 Days (plus 2 driving days)
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
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5
Physical
1
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5

Guided Alpine Rock Climbing in the North Cascades

Climbing with a guide is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the exciting wilderness ascents of the North Cascades. Part of the attraction of the climbs is the…

May - September
1 day and up

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

Search Results (18)
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

Search Results (56)
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

Stewardship and the American Alpine Institute

American Alpine Institute

...of outdoor recreation on public lands. Federal agencies—including the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management—collaborated… Read More

Best Mountaineering and Climbing books

American Alpine Institute

Level Up Your Mountain Skills: The Ultimate Outdoor Reading List Whether you’re dreaming of your first summit or honing advanced… Read More

Rock Climbing Grade Comparison Chart

American Alpine Institute

In the United States, we use the Yosemite Decimal System. This is a rating system used primarily in North America… Read More

Blog Posts

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

American Alpine Institute
April 25, 2019