AMS Backpack and Packraft Trip, Phelps 8/4

Denali National park backpacking via floatplane 

AMS guides Jeremiah Phelps, Forrest Young-Taft and a team of brothers and friends from the lower 48 are celebrating multiple birthdays (100 years between them all) by flying via floatplane to Backside Lake for some world class backpacking. The students are looking forward to venturing deep into the wilderness that holds high wildlife viewing potential. They move camp daily while tundra hiking with views of the Tokositna and Ruth glaciers, along with the big snowy mountains including Denali. The crew is hoping to score some fishing opportunities on some clear side channels as they travel by packraft along the 55 glaciated river miles back to Talkeetna townsite.

The takeout is located on the riverbanks of Talkeetna, which mean "where the 3 rivers meet". This crew will go from the glaciated source of the river directly back to town. What an awesome adventure!

Backside Lake landing zone. photo by Amanda Erickson

Whales Tail Ridgline, world class backpacking. Photo A. Erickson

Large packs and views of Denali when it is revealed; Photo A.Erickson

Packrafting glaciated rivers back to Talkeetna townsite. Photo A. Erickson

AMS Glacier Trek 7/26, Kayes

AMS guide Jake Kayes along with Adi and Michael just left for Matanuska Glacier for a 2-day trek. They were excited to be on their way.  Adi and Michael are looking forward to learning roped glacier travel, self-arrest, proper use of an ice axe and setting up ice anchors.  They also hope to do some ice climbing.

Gear check is done

 Packing the backpack

 AMS Guide Jake Kayes, Adi, Michael

AMS 6 Day Mountaineering Course 7/9 Returns

AMS instructors Chelsea Bomba, Emma Lyddan, Fallon Connolly and students returned from the Pika Glacier.  This team learned about the weather delay first thing.  Weather delayed them from flying for a few days, they had classes here and at the Matanuska Glacier.  They were well prepared to fly to the Pika and practice their new skills.

Sorting gear

Our last table of snacks for climbing season

12 Day Mountaineering Course 7/1, Kayes Returns

The 12-day Mountaineering Course led by Jake Kayes, Chris Welch, Allen Dahl returned to Talkeetna.  They had a great time in the Pika.  They were treated to all sorts of weather, sunny, rain and snow.

They are busy sorting and hanging gear.  Eating snacks and enjoying the nice summer day.

Gear on the lines

 Gear to be sorted

6 Day Mountaineering Course 7/9, Bomba

AMS Instructors Chelsea Bomba, Emma Lyddan, Fallon Connolly and students just flew to the Pika Glacier. The team is happy to be flying today, they plan to practice the skills they learned at the Matanuska Glacier yesterday.

Travel

Ice screws for the V thread

Testing V thread for weight

Instructors Emma and Fallon loading van

Students organizing gear

Six Day Mountaineering Course, July 9-14, Bomba

The team excited for the course

AMS instructor Chelsea Bomba teaching classes at AMS Headquarters

The Six-day Mountaineering Course just departed for the Matanuska Glacier.  They have been waiting for the weather to clear so they could fly into the range.  They plan to spend the day learning new skills and will return to Talkeetna tonight.  Hopefully, the weather will be flyable tomorow.

AMS Denali Teams AMS/Mt Professionals and EAZY have returned

June 18 Denali West Buttress AMS; Mt Professionals Expedition led by AMS guides Con Severis, Ryan Waters, and Sammie Ellsworth and Team EAZY led by Josh Hoeschen and Simon Frez-Albrecht are back at AMS headquarters.  

They are enjoying salsa, chips, fresh fruit orange juice and water.  After a short rest  they will be busy sorting gear.

Snacks

Sorting gear

Drying gear

AMS Mountain Update, 7/6

12 day Mountaineering 7/1-7/12 course on the Pika lead by Jake Kayes, Chrs Welch and Allen Dahl are rock climbing today.  The students are learning new skills and are enjoying the sun!

An AMS student from previous course rock climbing.

June 18 Denali West Buttress AMS; Mt Professionals Expedition led by AMS guides Con Severis, Ryan Waters, and Sammie Ellsworth are heading down to basecamp.  We expect to see them in Talkeetna in a few days.

AMS team descending the 16 ridge.

EAZY Expedition led by Josh Hoeschen and Simon Frez-Albrecht reported that the winds had calmed so they are going for the summit.  It will be a long day and we look forward to hearing from them later. 

Teams climbing up to Denali pass.

AMS Denali West Buttress 6/15, Patch Returns

AMS guides Scott Patch, Chelsea Bomba, Emma Lyddan and team returned to Talkeetna today!  They are happy to be back in the warm sunny weather.

They are enjoying snacks as they sort gear. 

This team worked hard but high winds kept them from the summit!

Snacks before unloading the van

Happy to be back

Sorting Gear

Guides Scott and Chelsea

AMS Mountain Updates 7/5

Another beautiful summer day in Talkeetna.  There are high winds high on Denali. All Teams are doing well!

EAZY Expedition led by Josh Hoeschen and Simon Frez-Albrecht is stayed in camp today.  They are hopeful that the wind will subside and they can try for the summit soon.

June 18 Denali West Buttress AMS; Mt Professionals Expedition led by AMS guides Con Severis, Ryan Waters, and Sammie Ellsworth made a summit attempt yesterday, they turned back due to the high winds. They are resting at high camp and hope to make a summit attempt tomorrow.

A windy Denali pass as seen from 17 camp.

June 15 Denali West Buttress led by AMS guides Scott Patch, Chelsea Bomba, Emma Lyddan is are descending to base camp. We expect to see them tomorrow morning depending on the weather.

Team traveling up Heartbreak hill under the clouds.

12 day Mountaineering 7/1-7/12course on the Pika lead by Jake Kayes is doing well. They have reported lots of snow. That hasn't stopped them. They have practiced snow skills, and have moved camp. 

Mountaineering course camp on the Pika.