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.
Submission by Andy Souder in the gear department. Double boots are a great step-up from single boots for high-altitude expeditions. They aren’t sufficient for all environments though. Places like Denali and Vinson are often too cold even for double boots! You have two routes depending on your budget, goals, and fit needs: A “triple/8000m/all-in-one” boot…
Submission by Trevor Husted The memory is vivid, it started with a hollow thump that turned into a heavy roar. The sound dissipated as quickly as it started and when our group of backcountry splitboarders arrived at the ridge we looked over to the next slope and saw that the whole slope of snow had…
Here are the top 5 questions our guides get asked, and their answers. Submission by our Alps Director, Jonathon Spitzer. How challenging is the Matterhorn to climb? The Matterhorn is a technical alpine climbing objective that requires previous technical climbing experience. Climbers need to be comfortable climbing up to 5.7 in mountain boots and 50…
Here are the top 4 questions our guides are asked, and their answers. Submission by AAI guide Juliana Garcia. What is it like to climb so close to the equator? Ecuador is the only country on the equator that has glaciers over 20,000 feet, though it is hard to imagine what that might feel like….
With our first Mexico Volcanoes trip of the winter season fast approaching, we sat down with guide Hannah McGowan for her words of wisdom when it comes to this iconic climbing trip. Mexico Volcanoes: Top 5 Questions What’s the food like? Simply put, the food on this expedition is awesome! We eat at a variety…
by Elias Zane-Holt Weather! What a dynamic and ethereal thing. As I sat down to share my thoughts with you all, I had two key epiphanies. First, I think we tend to underestimate the impact of weather on our daily lives. Weather is constantly affecting our mood, and swaying our critical choice making each day–…
by Bobby Cosker Things to consider when packing for bigger objectives. Martha Stewart once said, “life is too complicated not to be orderly.” The same couldn’t be truer when discussing the topic of what to consider when packing your backpack for alpine climbing in the bigger mountains. Being thoughtful and orderly in how and what…
By David Shuer After seeing Tahoma (Rainier) from your flight into SeaTac, or reading Into Thin Air, or living in the Pacific Northwest looking up at the volcanoes that dot the skyline, you’ve got the bug and want to climb some glaciers. The options are endless in the PNW; ranging from small pocket glaciers and…
By Andy Souder Hydration reservoirs are all the rage in the hiking world. They provide convenience and consistent hydration, rather than having to take breaks and remove your pack, hunt for your water bottle, etc. you can simply grab the hose and sip. While they are amazing for warmer climes and lower elevations, they can…
by Gordon Janow, Director of Programs Ah, sports and literature…. for the most part – it tis a “Ne’er the twain shall meet “!. Of course some sports books have transcended the “I did this” ( such as Jim Bouton’s Ball Four and George Plimpton’s Paper Lion) but for the most part it, I never…
