Why Climb Everest With Alpine Ascents?

Experience
Alpine Ascents International is generally considered America’s premier Everest Guide Service. Our combination of veteran of guides and Sherpa with summit experience, quantity of oxygen, and years of logistical expertise is simply unmatched. We are particularly proud of our extraordinary success during the past seven years (121 climbers summited) and we strive for similar accomplishments in 2009. This season we look to have our same leaders as in past years, including Vernon Tejas, Lakpa Rita Sherpa and Dave Morton who are not only renowned mountaineers, but are also recognized for their ability to assist qualified climbers to the summit. Alpine Ascents currently holds the guided ascent record for Mount Everest.

Reputation
Our reputation for leading successful climbs on Mt. Everest is unsurpassed. Of the approximately 3,000 people to stand atop Everest, 160 of them have been with an Alpine Ascents expedition. During our ‘92 expedition twelve people summitted and in ‘93 eight people stood with us on top of the world. Our 1994 expedition was marked by ten successful summiters, with Peter Athans attaining the summit for his fourth time, a record for Western climbers. The 1996 season was marred by storms and our team was at the forefront of numerous rescues and assisted many climbers from other expeditions who were in serious danger. Lead guides Todd Burleson and Peter Athans climbed to a height of 26,000ft to rescue climbers, for which they were both awarded the American Alpine Club’s prestigious Sowles Award. Our team made a valiant second attempt at the summit, but harsh winds prevented a safe summit bid. During 1997 - 1999 our guides were involved in high altitude research; our team worked in conjunction with the Boston Museum of Science in the installation of GPS equipment designed to measure the increasing height of Everest. Our 2000 Everest expedition was certainly one of our finest teams and was led by Vernon Tejas and Willi Prittie who continued our unsurpassed safety record. 2002 speaks for itself with a total of 17 team members reaching the summit. 2003 met with similar success with 14 members reaching the summit. In 2004, 17 climbers reached the summit including 100% of the guided climbers who left base camp. In 2005, during one of the most difficult poor weather years to date, 15 climbers reached the summit. In 2006 13 climbers reached the top on May 20 and our 2007 team saw 21 climbers reach the top. In our seventh straight summit year with 121 climbers in the past 7 years, our 2008 team saw our biggest success to date with 24 team members reaching the summit. We encourage you to compare our success and guide staff to any other guide service.

Climbing Oxygen, Weather Reports and Medical
Alpine Ascents spares no expense at providing large quantities of the highest quality Oxygen systems. In addition to the medical facilities at Everest Base Camp, all of our guides are Certified Wilderness First Responders. We obtain daily weather reports, which are instrumental in choosing a summit date.

Experience required for expedition members
We are looking for experienced climbers, for whom Everest is the next logical step in their climbing careers. Our team will be in top physical condition and ready to meet the extreme challenges Everest presents. If at all possible, we request that potential Everest climbers participate in one of our other domestic or international climbs so they can be evaluated by one of our guides. If this is not possible, we would like you to join us for a few days and climb in the US. It is important that a team member be able to work well with people and be willing to commit to a group effort which will last for several weeks. You will be exposed to a completely different culture during the expedition and as a member it is your responsibility to treat the people and their environment with respect. This ability is as important as your climbing skills.

Base Camp Support Trek
We also offer a support trek to Everest Base Camp for team member’s family and friends. This allows family and friends the opportunity to participate in a world-class climb. Please call for information.

Cybercasts
Alpine Ascents remains on the cutting edge of multimedia cybercast technology. For over the the past ten years, we have webcast many of our expeditions on the World Wide Web from remote mountains around the world. Our Mt. Everest expeditions have been the highlight of these webcasts every year. Family, friends, and thousands from the general public can follow the team on their trek from Kathmandu to Base Camp. Once there, we establish a complete communications tent where we track the team’s progress up the mountain and on to the summit. We also provide access to email and communication for team members.

Brief History
2008 - 24 Climbers to the summit (including 10 Sherpa team members) Guides: Dave Morton, Vern Tejas, Lakpa Rita Sherpa, Melissa Arnot.
2007 - 21 Climbers to the summit (including 10 Sherpa team members) Guides: Dave Morton, Vern Tejas, Lakpa Rita Sherpa, Amy Bullard.
2006 13 Climbers to the summit (including 5 Sherpa team members) Guides: Vern Tejas, Lakpa Rita Sherpa, Dave Morton.
2005 15 Climbers to the summit (including 7 Sherpa team members). Guides: Willi Prittie, Vernon Tejas, Lakpa Rita Sherpa Dave Morton and Jose Luis Peralvo.
2004 17 Climbers to the summit (including 8 Sherpa team members). Guides: Vernon Tejas, Jim Williams, Lakpa Rita Sherpa and Dave Morton.
2003 14 Climbers to the summit (including 5 Sherpa team members). Guides: Willi Prittie, Vernon Tejas, Luis Benitez and Lakpa Rita Sherpa... 50th Anniversary of the first ascent.
2002 17 Climbers to the summit (including 8 Sherpa team members). Lead guides: Willi Prittie, Vernon Tejas, Mike Roberts and Jose Luis Peralvo.
2000 Vernon Tejas, Lakpa Rita Sherpa, and Willi Prittie to South Summit (28,700ft) with team.
1999 Pete Athans summited for the 6th time (most by any Westerner).
1990-1998 Helped 39 climbers to the summit of Everest. Todd Burleson and Pete Athans receive Sowles award for Selfless Rescue (1996). Worked with Bradford Washburn in setting up laser altitude measurement systems on summit.
1990 Alpine Ascents International was established as one of the first Everest Guide services.