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Programs

Military personnel training near Table Mountain
WA, CA, AK, NV and CO Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Private & Custom Trips, Government, Military, & Veterans
Technical
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Physical
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Military and Government Mountain Training

Military, law enforcement and other government agents are often required to work in “high-end” mountain terrain to achieve their tactical objectives. These settings may require technical rock climbing, glacier mountaineering,…

Year-Round
1-24 days
Bellingham and Mt. Baker, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
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5
Physical
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Technical Rope Rescue Comprehensive

When accidents happen in the mountains, knowing how to respond efficiently and safely can make all the difference. Imagine a lead climber taking a fall several pitches up, or an…

Year-round
15 days (14 days of instruction with one rest day)
Students set up an advanced hauling system with a tripod on an American Alpine Institute rope rescue program
WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
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Physical
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Technical Rope Rescue Level II – Technician

The American Alpine Institute Rope Rescue Level II: Technician Course builds on the Operations Level foundation, advancing participants to complex hauling systems, high-line techniques, dynamic rope applications, and rescue team…

Year-round
5 days
Washington, Alaska, and other domestic and international destinations Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Group Summit Climbs, Expeditions
Technical
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5
Physical
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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
Resident llama at Refugio Laguna Tuni
Cordillera Real, Bolivia Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
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5
Physical
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Bolivia – Huayna Potosi Skills Expedition

The Huayna Potosi Skills Expedition is a 10-day climbing program that includes skills instruction and review that is presented at both introductory and more advanced levels. The introductory level includes…

June - September
17 days or 10 days without acclimatization trek
20
Cordillera Real, Bolivia Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
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5
Physical
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Bolivia – Illimani Expedition

Illimani base camp. Andrew Wexler. This is a 5-day expedition to climb the highest peak in Bolivia’s Cordillera Real. Team members first make the ascents (and enjoy the benefits of…

May - September
22 days or 5 days without prep programs
Skier in Hokkaido
Hokkaido, Japan Special Offer
Type
Private & Custom Trips
Technical
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5
Physical
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5

Hokkaido Guided Backcountry Skiing

Legend has it that the forests of Hokkaido, Japan are haunted. They are supposed to be haunted by mystical spirits called Kodama that disguise themselves as trees. It’s easy to…

December - March
Varies
Ridge of Island Peak
Khumbu Region, Nepal Special Offer
Type
Treks, Tours, & Backpacking
Technical
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5
Physical
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Nepal – Khumbu Trek & Island Peak

This climbing and trekking program explores several of the largest mountain valley systems in the Khumbu Himal and includes optional ascents of 20,306-foot Island Peak (Imja Tse). We also visit…

April - May; October - November
24 days
Students study a map to determine their next steps on their trip in the mountains
Bellingham, WA Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
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5
Physical
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Professionalism for the Outdoor Educator

Many people jump through the hoops. They get a few certifications, they build their outdoor resume and then they try to make the transition. They try to transition from the…

Year-Round
5 Days
AAI climbers in the Ruth Gorge
Alaska Range, Alaska Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses, Expeditions
Technical
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Physical
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Alaska Range Mountaineering

AAI Guide Hali Scroggins high on Radio Control Tower in the Alaska Range. Kevin McGarity. This action packed ten-day program, provides a complete training in the foundational skills of alpine…

April - June
11 days
Washington, Nevada, Utah, and California, British Columbia Special Offer
Type
Instructional Courses
Technical
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Physical
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Learn to Lead – Trad Rock Climbing Leadership

Our Learn to Lead – Introduction to Traditional Rock Leadership Course gives you the skills and confidence to lead your own single-pitch trad climbs. You’ll practice gear placement, anchor building,…

Year Round
4 days
Ascending the icefall between Camps 2 and 3
Ellsworth Mountains, Antarctica Special Offer
Type
Expeditions
Technical
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Physical
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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

Program Activities

Alpine Climbing & Mountaineering image

Alpine Climbing & Mountaineering

Search Results (20)
This is mountain climbing in its most classic form – over rock, snow, alpine ice, and glaciers, in pursuit of major summits.
Rock Climbing image

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.
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Ice Climbing

Search Results (1)
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 image

High Altitude Climbing & Seven Summits

Search Results (16)
Climbing the highest mountains in the world is a special discipline of mountaineering, with unique challenges and rewards.
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Backcountry Skiing & Boarding

Search Results (4)
Guided skiing in world-famous backcountry, and skills instruction for skiers, split-boarders, and ski mountaineers
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Avalanche Training

Search Results (5)
Avalanche safety training is a must for anyone who ventures into the backcountry in winter, and we offer the gold standard in avalanche education.
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Hiking And Backpacking

Search Results (11)
Living and moving in the mountains is a reward in itself, and provides the fundamental skills that underlie all mountaineering.
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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.
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Outdoor Educator & Guide Training

Search Results (11)
Technical and non-technical leadership courses from the AMGA's longest-accredited guide service
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Technical Rescue & Medical

Search Results (7)
Industry standard technical rescue and wilderness medicine instruction

Program Types

Instructional Courses icon

Instructional Courses

Search Results (30)
Intensive mountain skills instruction and summit climbs
Group Summit Climbs icon

Group Summit Climbs

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Introductory summit climbs with some skills instruction
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Expeditions

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Longer trips in remote locations to ascend major peaks, including the Seven Summits
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Private & Custom Trips

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Custom adventures for individuals or groups – with the best-trained guides in the industry
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Treks, Tours, & Backpacking

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Full-service, non-technical adventures for all outdoor enthusiasts
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Government, Military, & Veterans

Search Results (2)
Training for government personnel and vocational programs for veterans using VA benefits
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Youth Climbing Programs

Search Results (3)
Our youth programs inspire young adventurers to explore the outdoors, build confidence, and develop climbing and leadership skills in a fun and supportive environment.
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Mountain Center & Events

Search Results (1)
Short classroom and outdoor courses, films, lectures, and other low-cost programming for the local outdoor community

Articles

Blog Posts

Guide Like Liz Scholarship Winners – 2015

American Alpine Institute
July 20, 2015

Get to Know Your Guide: An interview with Viren Perumal

American Alpine Institute
May 30, 2008

Get to Know Your Guide: An interview with Richard Riquelme

American Alpine Institute
March 7, 2008

Get to Know Your Guide: An interview with Justin Wood

American Alpine Institute
April 25, 2008

Guide Like Liz Scholarship Winner: Jillian Strobel

American Alpine Institute
July 8, 2019

Get to Know Your Guide: An interview with Joseph Anderson

American Alpine Institute
April 5, 2008

Remembering our Friend and Colleague Liz Daley

American Alpine Institute
October 1, 2014

Get to Know Your Guide: An interview with Jason Martin

American Alpine Institute
March 21, 2008

Get to Know Your Guide: An interview with Erik Johnson

American Alpine Institute
March 14, 2008

Leave No Trace: Respect Wildlife

American Alpine Institute
June 22, 2021