Rock Climbing Grade Comparison Chart
American Alpine Institute
...books identify climbs below V0 as VB. Sherman’s system was created as a counter to John Gill’s earlier B-scale, which… Read More
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label/Route Profiles
Programs
Climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park
…Peak. The most famous scrambling route in the park is undoubtedly Longs Peak’s Keyhole Route. Click the link to see more information about hiking Longs Peak. Please note that AAI…
Year-Round
2 days and up
Guided Alpine Climbing in the Alaska Range
…moderate to intermediate glacier climbs, as well as to climbers looking to advance their level of skill by trying to climb progressively more serious routes in a spectacular setting. Climber…
May - July
7-22 Days (Recommended minimum of 10 days due to potential weather.)
Guided Alpine Climbing in the Sierra
Whether you want technical skills practice, a 14,000 foot summit, or a classic alpine route, the Eastern Sierra offers it all. By booking private guided climbing, our guides meet you…
Year-round
1+ Days
Longs Peak Hiking & Climbing
…Route, many others choose to join a guided ascent of the route in order to reduce the risks. American Alpine Institute offers a 2-day guided ascent of the route. While a…
Year-round
2 days
Guided Rock Climbing in Red Rock – Las Vegas, Nevada
…climbs, Red Rock boasts an unusually large number of very long, high-quality routes of moderate technical difficulty. Many fine climbs of grade III or IV in length lie in the…
September - April
Half-day and up
Guided Alpine Climbing in the French Alps/Chamonix
The French Alps in the area near Chamonix encompass the highest concentration of quality alpine routes in the world. There are classics here at every technical level, and at each…
April - September
Varies based on Objective
Guided Alpine Climbing in the Swiss Alps
…happy to discuss route selections and combinations with you. If you don’t already have routes in mind, we can help you design an itinerary of any length. You can join…
July - September
4 to 10 days
Guided Ice Climbing & Winter Ascents in Rocky Mountain National Park
…boasts some of the most dramatic terrain in the lower 48. Climbing routes such as Alexander’s Chimney (III, WI4 M4) or Kiener’s Route on Longs Peak (IV, 5.4 Mod. Snow)…
January – March
Varies
Guided Alpine Climbing in the Cascades
The classic alpine routes of the North Cascades offer tremendous variety and contrast. Some consist wholly of ridge and face climbing on rock, while others are entirely on snow and…
May - September
Varies
Aconcagua Expedition – Upper Guanacos Traverse
…expedition is required. The Upper Guanacos route enables you to climb up one route and descent the Route Normal, making a full traverse of the mountain by entering in the…
November - February
19 days
Guided Alpine Rock Climbing in the North Cascades
…variety and challenges they present on the way to the top; climbers must apply varied technical skills, excellent route finding, and good judgement. The technical resources and margin of safety…
May - September
1 day and up
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
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
Search Results (34)
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
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
Getting equipped for waterfall ice climbing, a highly equipment-intensive activity, used to be easy. You just had to buy some… Read More
Decades of Stewardship: American Alpine Institute’s Commitment to Replacing Aging Bolts
American Alpine Institute
...about developing skills, building community, and caring for the wild places where we climb. That philosophy has guided AAI’s approach… Read More
Selecting a Rope for Alpine Climbing
American Alpine Institute
Question: From the March 2006 edition of AAI’s E-newsletter I am looking at ropes for alpine glacier and couloir routes… 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
...Mountain Weather Mountain Weather by Jeff Renner Practical Mountain Weather: A Guide for Hikers, Climbers and Skiers by John Papineau… Read More
Expedition Sled Rigging
American Alpine Institute
AAI Program Coordinator and Denali guide Pulling sleds on an expedition is very much a love-hate relationship – one… 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
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