Mount Waddington and British Columbia’s Coast Range
American Alpine Institute
...great mountaineering route. Harder Routes Mt. Waddington, South Face (Bravo Glacier Route) Technically, the aspect is southwest, not south. This… Read More
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label/Mountain Culture
Programs
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
Aconcagua Expedition – Upper Guanacos Traverse
…ascents such as Aconcagua’s 9,000-foot South Face. Today, we use our deep experience to offer less commonly climbed routes that avoid the heavy traffic seen on much of the mountain….
November - February
19 days
Ski Mountaineering
…and adapt to changing conditions. Avalanche awareness, snowpack evaluation, and rescue techniques are reviewed, making this a complete introduction to ski mountaineering in one of the Northwest’s most stunning settings….
March - May
6 Days
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
Denali Expedition (Mt. McKinley) – Cassin Ridge
…high-latitude atmospheric conditions combine to create challenges potentially even more severe than those on 8,000 meter peaks. The Cassin Ridge has become one of the most sought-after big mountain alpine…
May-June
21 days
Backcountry Navigation Essentials
…an indiviudal can develop a deep level of confidence in their wilderness navigation skills. Backcountry and wilderness navigation are essential parts of every single trip into the mountains, whether on…
Year-Round
3-hour evening program
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
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
China – Siguniang Trek
Niuxim Shan (Yak Heart Peak) shrouded in morning clouds. Andy Bourne. Siguniang, or Four Sisters Mountain, is the centerpiece of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China’s Sichuan Province where…
September - October
9 days
Lamoshe Skills Expedition – Sichuan, China
…mountain requires moderate-to-advanced climbing ability and excellent fitness. After participants have reviewed glacier travel skills, alpine ice climbing, and high altitude mountaineering techniques, we will make the two-day summit attempt….
September - October
13 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
Women Who Conquered the Outdoors:
American Alpine Institute
...AAI Climbing Blog features several other posts that highlight women in climbing, including awe-inspiring rock climbing videos (2013), a discussion… Read More
Ecuador Volcanoes – A Climbing Trip Report
American Alpine Institute
The Cayambe hut with the Hermosa glacier pouring in slow motion down the mountain’s West Face. Editor’s note: Climbing in… Read More
Winter Mountaineering Gear: Snow Cave or Tent?
American Alpine Institute
...you took me into a gear store and I needed the following three items to survive and enjoy a high… Read More
What’s the Best Month to Climb in the Cascades?
American Alpine Institute
...that there’s really no bad time, but there are definite differences in the prevailing weather and conditions throughout the summer… Read More
Mountain Preparedness: What Goes in a Guide’s Pack
American Alpine Institute
...alpine ice climbing in the North Cascades of Washington. His trip was to include some glacier travel, camping on snow,… Read More
Using Your Camera in the Mountains
American Alpine Institute
...already available on the internet, but much of it does not apply to taking cameras up mountains where conditions are… Read More
American Alpine Institute History
American Alpine Institute
...Alaska Range technical route on Mt. Hunter in 1981. AAI and the American Mountain Guides Association AAI has also played… Read More
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
Ski Mountaineering: Whippet or Ice Axe?
American Alpine Institute
...climbing a big mountain – ski mountaineering for a ski descent – I’ll usually have an ice axe with me… Read More
