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
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label/Route Profiles
Programs
Patagonia – Gorra Blanca Expedition
…and ends in a dome. And though a part of the mountain looks like a dome, the summit is a bit sharper. The bulk of the route requires moderate snow…
September - March
5-Days
Mount Waddington Expedition
…and glacier routes. It is also our goal that upon completion, you have the skills and the understanding to put together an expedition to one of the greater ranges of…
June - July
12 days
Backpacking and Wilderness Skills
This immersive two-day course is the perfect starting point for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who are new to overnight camping in the mountains. Participants gain the skills and confidence to…
May - September
2 days
Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue
…and French crampon techniques, ice axe positions, self-arrest, anchor placement, glacier travel procedures, crevasse rescue, and route finding. With its dramatic icefields and heavily glaciated terrain, Mt. Baker provides both…
May - September
3 Days
Guided Rock Climbing at Index, WA
…presented by the numerous high quality routes. The Upper and Lower Index Town Walls offer the highest concentration of routes and can become crowded due to Index’s close proximity to…
April - October
Varies
Mt. Elbrus Expedition
Elbrus is the highest mountain in Europe and one of the Seven Summits, reaching well over 18,000 feet in Russia on the divide between Europe and Asia. While the mountain…
May, July and August
11 to 14 days
Mt. Saint Helens Skills and Climb
Climbing Mount St. Helens is a very unique opportunity considering its historical 1980 eruption. The flanks of this Southern Cascade Volcano offer fantastic beginner level ascents while climbing past volcanic…
March - September
Varies
Mt. Vinson Expedition
Vinson Massif is Antarctica’s highest mountain, reaching 16,050 feet (4,892m) in the heart of the Ellsworth Mountains. Located 700 nautical miles from the South Pole, the mountain was first climbed…
November - January
16 days
Patagonia Trekking and Climbing – Fitzroy and Cerro Torre Area
The Andes that rise in southern Argentina just east of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field are considered by many well-travelled trekkers and climbers to be the most beautiful mountains in…
November - February
13 days
Peru – Huascaran Expedition
Nevado Huascaran is the highest peak in Peru and one of the world’s most imposing summits. It offers a challenging ascent requiring strong intermediate level alpine skills, and an unusual…
June - July
14 days
Tocllaraju Skills Expedition
Peru’s Cordillera Blanca is one of the most rugged and heavily glaciated ranges in the Andes. Famous for its dry, sun-baked, fluted snow slopes, the range is home to Peru’s…
May - August
12 days (Part 1) or 20 days (Parts 1 & 2)
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
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
Search Results (34)
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
Search Results (10)
Full-service, non-technical adventures for all outdoor enthusiasts
Government, Military, & Veterans
Search Results (2)
Training for government personnel and vocational programs for veterans using VA benefits
Articles
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
Decades of Stewardship: American Alpine Institute’s Commitment to Replacing Aging Bolts
American Alpine Institute
...of climbing stewardship. Unlike first ascents or new route development, rebolting rarely earns recognition. The work often involves long days… Read More
Selecting a Rope for Alpine Climbing
American Alpine Institute
...some glaciated routes in the North Cascades. If I am planning to move together with my partners on the route… Read More
Climbing Efficiently with Large Groups
American Alpine Institute
...four. However, the Underhill Route, like most other alpine rock routes, has lots of fourth class and low fifth class,… Read More
Mountain Weather: When to Go for the Summit
American Alpine Institute
...anyway that awareness of weather must be combined with solid navigation skills, knowledge of self-rescue, and well-founded decision-making abilities to… Read More
Expedition Sled Rigging
American Alpine Institute
...a bit and use the principles contained herein to guide your experiments. Gear needed (diagram and labels in photo… Read More
American Alpine Institute History
American Alpine Institute
...in 1980 and the company is one of the only companies to offer the Polish Direct Route on the mountain.… Read More
Rock Climbing with Kids
American Alpine Institute
...Gym Perhaps the best way to introduce a child to climbing is through a rock gym. There are often two… Read More
How Difficult is Climbing Denali’s West Buttress?
American Alpine Institute
...route, there are some sections of the route that require physical conditioning outside of walking on moderate slopes with heavy… Read More
