American Alpine Institute Values and philosophy
American Alpine Institute
...accept the serious responsibility of mountain partnerships, to understand mountain environments and the threats to them, and to develop preservationist… Read More
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label/Mountain Culture
Programs
Ptarmigan Traverse
…from the traverse. AAI teams regularly ascend a handful of mountains during the trip. Depending on time, parties ascend peaks like Magic Mountain, LeConte Peak, Sentinal Peak, Old Guard, Sinister…
July - August
7 days
Ecuador – Chimborazo Climb
Chimborazo stands out as not only the tallest mountain in Ecuador, but as the the tallest mountain in the world when measured from the center of the earth. This is…
November - March, May - July
4 days
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
Winter Mountaineering Course
Winter mountaineering encompasses one of the most aesthetic and rewarding facets of the sport of climbing. Winter mountaineering has as much to do with mental challenge as it does with…
January - April
5 days
Passport to Denali
Many climbers who attempt Denali (Mount McKinley) possess the basic skills needed to reach the summit—provided everything goes exactly as planned. But Denali is a mountain where conditions rarely cooperate….
Year-Round
Varies by program
Glacier Peak Climb and Skills Clinic
…in glacier travel, rope team skills, crevasse rescue, and backcountry mountaineering. Designed for competent backpackers ready to step into glacier mountaineering, this program emphasizes learning essential skills while ascending the…
June - July
6 days
Denali Prep Course
Descending the West Buttress on Denali. AAI Collection. Denali is high, cold and physically demanding. The mountain is home to some of the most severe weather and climbing conditions on…
January - March
6 days
Guided Alpine Climbing in the Cascades
…Mount Baker, or the rock cragging routes in Leavenworth and Index, to “tune up” their skills before tackling their high mountain goals. Any four to six-day (or longer) itinerary can…
May - September
Varies
Backcountry Navigation Comprehensive
…explore deep into the backcountry, whether on foot or on skis. Backcountry and wilderness navigation are essential parts of every single trip into the mountains, whether on foot, snowshoes, skis,…
Year-Round
1-Day
Events, Films and Speakers
…Unless otherwise stated, these events take place at our Mountain Center. Mountain Center 4041 Home Rd, Suite A, Bellingham, WA 98229 Events April 17th, 2027 – Dallas Kloke Memorial Clean…
Year-Round
Varies
Saint Elias Range Skills Expedition
Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is America’s largest and most rugged national park, containing one of the world’s least visited expanse of mountain terrain. Bordering Canada’s Yukon, this vast area…
May - June
Varies
Ama Dablam Expedition
…(15,750/4,800m) through the Khumbu Valley provides exceptional views of Ama Dablam, while we experience the culture and hospitality of the Sherpa people. Once established in Base Camp, we review climbing…
October - November
28 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
Footwear for Mountaineering and Climbing
American Alpine Institute
...medium mountaineering; glacier climbing; scrambling routes in the mountains; and multi-day outings where your feed need to be warm, relatively… Read More
Physical Conditioning for Mountaineering Expeditions
American Alpine Institute
...in coaching endurance athletes like climbers, mountaineers and backcountry skiers. You can learn about some of these outside resources in… Read More
Red Rock Rendezvous
American Alpine Institute
...and educational as you can imagine. What was Mountain Gear? Mountain Gear was a privately held outdoor equipment and apparel… Read More
Mountain Weather: When to Go for the Summit
American Alpine Institute
...Mountain Weather Mountain Weather by Jeff Renner Practical Mountain Weather: A Guide for Hikers, Climbers and Skiers by John Papineau… 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
Denali FAQ
American Alpine Institute
...the mountain. The other main difference between our climbs and others is our educational and teaching emphasis. We were founded… Read More
Best Mountaineering and Climbing books
American Alpine Institute
...Burns) — A foundational navigation text covering map, compass, GPS, route planning, and terrain interpretation. Widely used in outdoor education… Read More
Father and Son in the Alps: Climbing the Alps Trilogy
American Alpine Institute
...they wanted to do was far from a walk in the park. “I knew they were serious mountains,” Brandon said,… Read More
North Cascades Climbing and Mountaineering Objectives: From Beginner Routes to Advanced Adventures
American Alpine Institute
...Ruth Mountain, Ruth Glacier – Glacier travel, 2 days Ruth is a gentle mountain amidst some of the most rugged… Read More
