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label/Mountain Comedy

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
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5
Physical
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Technical Rope Rescue Level I – Operations

…fire departments, paramedics, and mountain rescue units with the skills to manage scenes, identify rescue requirements, and perform low- and high-angle evacuations. This program meets NFPA 1670 operations-level standards and…

Year Round
4 days
Liberty Bell Descent
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part II

…mountains while exploring the nuances of climbing in the winter environments. By blending the worlds of backcountry skiing and alpinism, year-round opportunities to explore the mountains start to become more…

January-March
6 days
Washington, British Columbia, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and California Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
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5
Physical
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5

LGBTQ+ Climbing and Mountaineering Programs

AAI is proud to offer a variety of Queer climbing and mountaineering programs, including LGBTQ+ rock climbing clinics, mountaineering courses, and guided summit climbs. LGBTQ+ affinity courses offer a powerful opportunity for…

Year-Round
Varies
En route to Matterhorn summit
French and Swiss Alps Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
1
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4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

The Alps Trilogy – Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and the Eiger

Since the birth of mountaineering, these three peaks have captured climbers like no others: Mont Blanc (15,771 ft.), the highest point in Western Europe, because its ascent heralded the dawn…

June - September
11 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
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4
5

Technical Rope Rescue Level II – Technician

…Rescue Comprehensive, a four-part, 14-day series. After Technician, participants can expand their abilities with Self-Rescue for Climbers and Advanced Mountain Rescue, or take any combination of courses individually. The full…

Year-round
5 days
North Cascades, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
2
3
4
5

Alpinism 2 – Intermediate Mountaineering

Designed as the natural progression from AAI’s Alpinism 1 – Intro to Mountaineering, this program is ideal for those with a few days of rock climbing under their belt and…

May - September
6 days
La Paz and Cordillera Real Trek
La Paz and Cordillera Real, Bolivia Special Offer
Type
Treks, Tours, & Backpacking
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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4
5

La Paz and Cordillera Real Trek

…jungles, dry altiplano, fertile valleys, and numerous glaciated mountain ranges. But while the scenery is spectacular, the startling physical contrasts of each area have put different requirements upon humanity and…

May - August
7 days
Mt. Baker looms in the background as 2 skiers ascend a slope during an American Alpine Institute Ski course
Mt. Baker backcountry & upper glaciers of Mt. Baker Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
1
2
3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership – Part III

…remote winter mountain terrain. This will allow you to venture deeper into the mountains to score the best tracks and lines of fresh powder. Designed for students who have completed…

Mid-February - April
12 days
North side of Carstensz Pyramid
Papua New Guinea Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
1
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3
4
5
Physical
1
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3
4
5

Carstensz Pyramid/Puncak Jaya

…New Guinea in the east. The mountain was first climbed in the 1960s and has seen relatively few ascents since then. Climb the highest mountain in Australasia; one of the…

February-March, August-October
11 days
Luke Holcomb on German Helmet
Washington Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Government, Military, & Veterans
Technical
1
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5
Physical
1
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Vocational Training for the Outdoor Professional

…Mountaineering and Technical Leadership Part II (AMTL II) Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership Part III (AMTL III) Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership Part IV (AMTL IV) Wilderness First Responder Certification…

Year-round
Varies
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
2
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
Departing Camp 1 on Cho Oyu
Tibet, China Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
1
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5
Physical
1
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5

Cho Oyu Expedition

Cho Oyu stands along the Nepali-Tibetan border about 18 miles west of Everest, tied to it by a long ridge with five summits over 23,000 feet. Cho Oyu is the…

September - October
45 days

Program Activities

Alpine Climbing & Mountaineering image

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 image

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 image

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 image

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 (22)
Guided skiing in world-famous backcountry, and skills instruction for skiers, split-boarders, and ski mountaineers
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Avalanche Training

Search Results (14)
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

Search Results (14)
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

Instructional Courses icon

Instructional Courses

Search Results (66)
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

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

Articles

Ice Axe Positions and Alpine Ice Climbing

American Alpine Institute

Alpine ice climbing is the art of moving over steep, frozen terrain high in the mountains. Unlike waterfall ice, which… Read More

Climbing Class and Commitment Grade

American Alpine Institute

In the mountains, numbers can feel deceptively simple. A climb is labeled “Class 3” or “Grade III,” and suddenly people… Read More

Can You Climb While Pregnant?

American Alpine Institute

...input prior to climbing…especially if climbing includes bouldering or leading, places where bodily harm might be more likely. Key Considerations… Read More

Blog Posts

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad – 10/12/2023

American Alpine Institute
October 12, 2023

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad – 7/7/22

American Alpine Institute
July 7, 2022

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad – 2/24/22

American Alpine Institute
February 24, 2022

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad – 9/23/21

American Alpine Institute
September 23, 2021

Film Review: High Lane

American Alpine Institute
September 10, 2021

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad – 9/2/21

American Alpine Institute
September 2, 2021

Route Profile: Mt Triumph – Northeast Ridge (5.6, III+)

American Alpine Institute
June 18, 2021

Climbing and Outdoor News from Here and Abroad – 4/29/21

American Alpine Institute
April 29, 2021

Miranda in the Wild – Coffee in the Mountains

American Alpine Institute
March 1, 2021

Carbon Dioxide Poisoning in the Mountains

American Alpine Institute
July 6, 2020