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.
By Andy Souder Getting a good night’s sleep can be the make-or-break factor on summit day. Being well-rested and full of energy will make sure you’re set up for success. The most common people don’t sleep well is they run cold or are not used to sleeping on snow. Fortunately, the guides of Alpine Ascents…
By Trevor Husted Ah yes, the changing of the seasons…which happens, well, every season. To help you embrace new adventure beginnings, we are back with another blog post to help you get geared up for the sunny summer days ahead. It may have been just yesterday (literally) when you were skiing or splitboarding full throttle,…
By Anna Gibson I was fortunate to spend my childhood in northwestern Wyoming, with the Tetons just out my front door. Those mountains are the real-deal—truly an epic playground for a mountain runner and a backcountry skier like me. Yet the Teepee, Schoolroom, and Skillet Glaciers of the Tetons are dwarfs compared to the glaciers…
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…
There have historically been fewer women than men in mountain sports, but that statistic has been changing as more women establish first ascents, inspire others by summiting challenging peaks and find cohorts of other women climbers. At Alpine Ascents we are fortunate to have more than 25 female guides and offer dozens of women’s programs….
Hey Alpine, I keep hearing that the route to the summit of Tahoma (Mount Rainier) changes over the course of the season. I have a pretty good idea of what you mean, but…would you mind explaining it? Asking for a friend. Sincerely, Route Me *** Hi Route Me, Your friend brings up a great question!…
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 Kate Keith-Simms Hey Alpine, I’ve done everything to be a strong budding mountaineer- I’ve joined summit climbs, built some bomber anchors on the 10 day- now I want to get out there on my own. But where are all the climbing partners? I’ve been holding up “Will provide a capella tunes for a belay”…
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…
By Kate Keith-Simms Plants provide invaluable insight not only to the spaces they inhabit, but also to those who live upon the land. Since time immemorial, Native American communities have foraged, hunted, and thrived on the resources the land offers. This is a short pick of a few plants of Washington used by specific Native…
