AMS/Patagonia Frontiers/NCC Alaska Returned

Guides Nancy Pfeiffer, Fredrik Norrsell and Gerard Ganey  and Patagonia Frontiers youth group returned to Talkeetna today!    The team has been in the field for 24 days,  they were on a Mountain/Hiking/Rafting expedition.  The trip ended on the Chulitna River.  This group has seen some amazing views and wildlife.  We are sure they will have great stories about the adventure and can't wait to see their photos.

The team had snacks and discovered that even though they were out of the field they still had lots of work to do.   They all pitched in to unload, unpack and clean gear.

Out of the van

Group Photo before unloading gear

Gear waiting to be cleaned and sorted

Cleaning gear

Hanging gear to dry.

15-Day Mountaineering Course: D'Alessio RETURNS!

AMS climbers Keith, Soren, and Jon relax for a quick break on a long trip through the Dutch Gap. Photo Credit: Nick D.

AMS crew departing Little Swiss area onto tundra. Photo Credit: Nick D.

View from Big Arapiles in the Little Swiss area, Alaska. Photo Credit: Nick D.

AMS camps by Granite Glacier/Creek on their hike out from Pika Glacier. Photo Credit: Nick D.

AMS Climber gets some craggin' in Little Swiss- a special treat in Alaska! Photo Credit: Nick D.

15 Day Mountaineering Course- D'Alessio

AMS guide Nick called in today with a lot of enthusiasm for the beauty of the places they are traveling through, how well the team is doing, and awe at the fact that every time they get out of the tents to travel, the rain stops. They have moved out of rocky, moraine terrain into the tundra of Wildhorse Pass. The team is currently moving towards the Dutch Hills and eventually out Peters Hill Road for a pick up back to Talkeetna. What a trip, with one 18 hour travel day already, way to go everyone!

12 and 15 day Mountaineering Course: D'Alessio

Lead Instructor Nick D'Allessio phoned in today. Three students are still in the field completeing the 15 day course hike out portion with guides Nick and Jake, all feeling strong and motivated.

They moved again last night at 2 am, with rain while they were sleeping then clearing as they moved. Nick reported it is a beautiful day today near Granite Glacier. 

Four happy students flew out last night with guide Travis as planned for their portion of the 12-day mountaineering course. They had a great experience out there with AMS!

Photos to come of the course....

AMS previous students learning pulley systems.

AMS previous 12 day course. This course also did some rock climbing out on the Pika glacier.

12 and 15 day Moutnaineering Course: D'Allessio

Lead Instructor Nick D'Allessio phone in today.  The 12 and 15 Mountaineering combined Course is doing great.  They have a super strong and motivated team.

All is well, they climbed a peak early this morning, have done skills classes and are now ready to move camp.  They are thankful for some stable weather as they are having a mixed pattern of wet/ windy/ sunny/ rainy and snow thus far.

The plan to move camp at 2 AM in the morning to take advantage of the colder temperatures and clearer weather pattern for easier travel on the snow covered glacier that they are living and working on.

Combat Wounded Veterans Challenge Team Returns

The 2014 Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge Team led by Guides Dustin Eroh, Beth Cleary, Bace Poplawski have returned from their Denali National Park 10 day hike - climb - bushwack -packraft Traverse Expedtion. 

The team is happy with their accomplishments and feel they are ready for their next step the Aconcagua Challenge.  This is an awesome team and their teamwork and strong work ethic showed even back in Talkeetna at the AMS HQ.

We are looking forward to hearing all about their experience in the next few days. We are very proud to be working with such a great team of people.

Denali, West Buttress, 6/22: Hoeschen RETURNS!

The remainder of the June 24 Denali team led by Josh Hoeschen have returned from the field. 

Talkeetna Air Taxi was able to pick the team up this afternoon.  They got out of the van and got right to work sorting gear.  The team enjoyed the watermelon, orange juice and other snacks that we had ready and waiting for them.

We are so glad to see them back safely in Talkeetna! These climbers are AMS' final Denali climber's  to return.  Their arrival marks the final chapter of our 2014 Denali season.


CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR 2014 CLIMBERS, WE HAD A GREAT TIME!

Denali, West Buttress: 5/24: Hoeschen: Still on their way to Talkeetna...

The June 24 Team led by Josh Hoeshen partly returned yesterday, three of their team flew out of the mountains yesterday morning and then the clouds came into basecamp, making it un-flyable.  Despite many efforts by Talkeetna Air Taxi and many satellite phone calls from them in the filed, the Air taxi was un-able to reach their location safely.

The Air Taxi is flying into the Mountains again this morning to try again to pick the remaining six of the team up. 

FINGERS CROSSED!!!

CWVC: Combat Wounded Veterans Challenge

 AMS working with CWVC  have just completed the mountaineering portion of their trip up Mt. Pendleton and are gearing up for the river portion of Cantwell creek to the Jack river. They are all exhausted, but so stoked to be out on this trip! They are preparing for an Aconcagua Challenge for this 2015 winter. 

Denali West Buttress Expedition Gowler 6/25 has RETURNED!

AMS lead guides Rob Gowler has returned with their crew after a valid effort on the Great One known as Denali. They are all happy to be back in the world of burgers and showers. There will be minor adjustments including not wearing heavy boots, not walking roped, and drinking water from the tap. Here are a few photos, with more to come. 

Good job everyone, Denali awaits for next year!

AMS Rob Gowler photo of the fixed lines on Denali.

Saying "see you later" to Denali for the season.