Welcome to the Alpine Ascents blog—where we share stories, knowledge, and inspiration from the mountains. From expedition updates and climbing conditions to training advice, gear tips, destination highlights, and stories from our guides and climbers, this is a place to stay connected to the world of mountaineering. Whether you’re preparing for your first climb, planning your next big expedition, or simply dreaming about the mountains, we hope you’ll find useful information, new ideas, and plenty of inspiration for the adventures ahead.
Spring volcano season is right around the corner and having well-fitted, comfortable boots is essential for long days on the skin track and epic descents. We teamed up with the legendary boot whisperer, Megan Jackson, of Backcountry Essentials in Bellingham to outline the basics of boot fit. In the video below, she discusses physical…
By Dani Osman Getting your mountaineering kit dialed in can be a complicated, strenuous process – So many options! So many opinions! – and rarely is the process more stressful than when it comes to boots. As literally and figuratively the base of the whole operation, getting your boots right can make or break your…
By Trevor Husted What to do with your gear when the time has come to accept the changing of the seasons? Whether you like it or not, the seasons change. With the fading daylight and dropping temperatures, the seasonal gear quiver is transformed. Some gear will get stashed in the corner of the garage (farewell…
by Lyra Pierotti, Alpine Ascents Senior Guide Outdoor equipment has certainly evolved from the days of external frame backpacks and wool knickers, but the goal is the same: Minimize the stuff you’re carrying and you can go further, higher, climb harder, ski more fluidly, enjoy the movement—so long as you have everything you need. As…
Hey Alpine, I just took the plunge and signed up for a Mexico Volcanoes expedition this winter! Psyched to climb some high peaks with my man Stuart Robertson and refuel with all the tacos I can eat. To get ready for the trip, I’ve been looking at GPS watches. It seems like all the guides…
Hey Alpine, My glacier glasses get so foggy when I’m hiking up the Muir snowfield that it’s like my eyeballs are in a sauna. How can I beat the steam and get my visibility back? Help! Sincerely, Blinded by the Exertion *** Hi Blinded, We’ve all been there! Heavy breathing and eyewear are not a match…
By Trevor Husted As part of our Guide Skills Development Series, this next post focuses on the essential items to include in your first aid kit if you are guiding an alpine climb. Have you taken an opportunity to look into your med kit lately? Perhaps question why something is even in there or maybe…
Hey Alpine, Not gonna lie, I’m brand new to mountaineering and not super savvy when it comes to gear. Between fill power, fill weight, and all the different baffle types, trying to shop for a down jacket for my upcoming Rainier climb has left me totally confused. Help! Sincerely, Desperately Seeking Down Hi Down Seeker,…
Hey Alpine, I’m headed out to Washington in mid-September for a 6-day course (stoked) and I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about backcountry quilts. Apparently all the cool-kid alpinists are using them. Can I bring one on my course? Sincerely, Steve House in Training Hi Steve House in Training, Thanks for reaching out…
Misconceptions about climbing gear can leave you wandering in the woods. In this article, we’ll look at the top-10 most common gear-related misconceptions for those newer to mountaineering, and offer some quick comments in answer. This piece was originally published in 2017, but it’s proved so helpful that we pulled it from the archives and…
