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.
The following is the first in a series of “how-to” videos on the major knots and hitches we use in the mountains. Stay tuned for more videos on knots like the figure-8, double-fisherman, ring bend- and hitches like the muenter & prussik! Most often used when clipping into the middle of a section of rope,…
When packing for a climbing trip or expedition, choosing a cooking system can be one of the most complicated aspects of planning. As we explored in Backcountry stoves 101, there are many options for kinds of stove to bring – but how do you decide which style is best for a given trip? Ultimately, the…
Welcome to our new, recurring series- Camp Chef! In this series of posts, we will discuss cooking in the backcountry and highlight some of our favorite recipes to use in a variety of situations. We will focus on simple, easy, and nutritious recipes that have proven delicious in the mountain environment, and offer related tips…
Welcome to our new, recurring series- Camp Chef! In this series of posts, we will discuss cooking in the backcountry and highlight some of our favorite recipes to use in a variety of situations. We will focus on simple, easy, and nutritious recipes that have proven delicious in the mountain environment, and offer related tips…
Backcountry stove technology has come a long way in the last few years. While stoves are now lighter, more compact, and more efficient than ever, the multitude of choices a climber has when picking a stove to use for mountaineering can be daunting. Our resident gear junkie Matt has broken down the basic types of…
Staying Afloat in Mountain Snow For long-distance hiking or any significant climb in the mountains, trekking poles provide critical support and stability. We are often asked about the fact that we require snow baskets on trekking poles in any location where there will be travel in the snowy terrain. Just like deep winter snow will…
Periodically we will talk about a piece of equipment that we feel is a crucial addition to any mountaineering kit. These are pieces which have proven themselves invaluable in the field based on real use, often honed over our years of experience living and working in the alpine environment. Traditionally, climbers have have had…
A common question we have from our course participants before they arrive for their trips is how to rig up an expedition sled to their pack. This technique is super useful for any of our Alaska programs – and is especially crucial on Denali. Matt Miller discusses this process below.
Periodically, we will talk about a piece of gear that we wouldn’t go without! These are pieces of gear we feel are invaluable after years of experience living, learning, and working in the alpine environment. Glaciers in the summertime can be a brutal place. For every 1000 feet of altitude gained, UV radiation increases by…
Climbers prepare for an 8-day winter mountaineering trip on Mount Rainier Pack Like a Pro, Not Like an Advertisement Place a large cup on a table. Fill it with stones. Then, fill the empty spaces with pea gravel. Next, pour sand into it. Only after that last step can the cup be considered full- this…
