Roping up for Glacier Travel
American Alpine Institute
...luck with your climb. Having the two climbers tied in with figure 8’s with the excess coils around the chests… Read More
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label/Mountain Comedy
Programs
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
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
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
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
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
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
…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
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
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
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
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
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
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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
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
Alpine Efficiency: Combining Speed and Safety
American Alpine Institute
...guarantee your climbing will be fast and effective. Don’t forget to have fun in the process! Click the link to… Read More
Selecting Equipment for Waterfall Ice and Mixed Climbing
American Alpine Institute
...rated only as aid climbing protection and not for falls), so you should decide what length of screws to bring… Read More
Crevasse Rescue – Introduction
American Alpine Institute
Climbs on large and complex glaciers always entail a risk of crevasse falls. Unlike a fall in rock climbing, where… Read More
Backcountry Meal Planning Guide
American Alpine Institute
Lightweight, calorie-dense, and practical strategies for fueling in the mountains Mountaineering demands a lot from your body. Cold, altitude, heavy… 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
“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
50 Classic Climbs
American Alpine Institute
...the climbing world and in our society as a whole have forced a reassessment of the traditional answers to these… 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
The Turkey Problem: Why Past Success Can Make Climbers and Skiers Less Safe
American Alpine Institute
October 28, 2026
Climbing as a Party of Three on Technical Glaciated Climbs
American Alpine Institute
September 6, 2019
Pro Tip: How to Eat Your Climbing Partner if You’re Starving
American Alpine Institute
September 13, 2021