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.
Alpine Ascents International hosted Steve House, founder of Uphill Athlete and author of the training bible for mountaineers and trail runners, Training for the Uphill Athlete, for a free webinar on February 20th. Steve covered the training approach that he used in his own career as a professional climber which he now uses to help…
Submission by Avalon Qian. “Tag responsibly, keep the West wild.” I pause mid-mindless-instagram scroll. This is not the first time I have seen this sentiment in an instagram post or an article about leaving no trace: “Tag responsibly.” “Keep the West wild.” What does this tag mean? I understand the fear that wild places may…
Submission from Uphill Athlete Mountain climbing is an aerobic sport. During a climb that can last hours or days, the energy required to keep moving comes from the aerobic metabolic system. This means that your body consumes oxygen at a rate that matches the supply to your working muscles. Climbers rarely engage in sprints or…
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…
Climbing big mountains requires incredible endurance. You don’t necessarily have to move fast, but you have to keep moving for hours, days–sometimes even weeks. Training to have an excellent aerobic base is critical, not just for that continued movement ability, but also for your body’s ability to recover, day after day. On January 30th, Senior…
By Lyra Pierotti, CSCS and Alpine Ascents Senior Guide Ok, now that we have an idea of how we all operate as individual athletes from the previous blog post Strength Training for Mountaineering: What does your physiology have to do with it? let’s outline a framework for you to drive your own strength training, adapt…
by Lyra Pierotti, CSCS and Alpine Ascents Senior Guide Climbing big mountains requires incredible endurance. You don’t necessarily have to move fast, but you have to keep moving for hours, days–sometimes even weeks. Training to have an excellent aerobic base is critical, not just for that continued movement ability, but also for your body’s ability…
by Maria Faires, RD The strength-to-weight ratio is an important key performance indicator for mountain climbing athletes. Have you ever tried to hike up a steep trail with a heavy backpack? The more you carry, the harder the effort. Weight matters. A mountaineer’s performance will be enhanced by being as close to their ideal body…
Nanda Devi, Indian Garhwal Himalaya by Gordon Janow When I heard that writer and climber Ed Douglas was publishing a book on the Himalaya, I wondered what more could possibly be written? Any account by Douglas was clearly a must-read, but I couldn’t help but anticipate a rehashing of well-worn tomes such as John…
by Brooke Warren While we learn to understand the physical demands of each climb, it is important address the mental aspects as well. Here are some things you can do to quell any fear or trepidation you may have about embarking towards a summit. Six Ways to Manage your Anxiety (when climbing a mountain): Train…
