Back from Red Rocks

AMS guides Blaine Smith and Colby Coombs just got back from a week of rock climbing at Red Rocks, NV. Alaskans love the desert when there's snow on the ground back home.

It's odd to have Grade V's and a huge city within easy reach.

Sad Week in Talkeetna

Word spreads like wildfire in the climbing community, this week Talkeetna got a double whammy of bad news.

This morning we learned of the death of Joe Puryear, husband of Michelle O'Neill. Joe and Michelle were married here in Talkeetna and have many close friends here, all over Alaska and all over the world. Michelle is with Joe's family, close friends are there to help them through this difficult time. We will keep you posted when memorial arrangements have been made.

We also lost Chhewang Nima Sherpa, who was a National Park Service volunteer with the Mountaineering Rangers here on Denali and a friendly face here in Talkeetna.
Our thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of these two gentle individuals.

Here are some links with the latest news and some more info about each of them:
http://ktna.org/2010/10/27/mountaineer-puryear-dies-in-tibet/
http://climbnepal.blogspot.com/
http://www.planetmountain.com/english/News/shownews1.lasso?l=2&keyid=37684
http://www.sherpamagic.com/

Namaste
~Julia

First Snow of the Winter in Talkeetna!

Sure, it's sticky and wet, but it sure is beautiful!
The sun is peeking through, making it even better. The AMS four-legged mascots are digging it, and it gets the two-leggeds thinking about waxing their skis (and changing over their tires).

Here is the current availability for 2011:

Aconcagua Expeditions
January 10 - 28: (FULL)
February 10 - 28: one spot available

Foraker - Sultana Expedition
April 27 - May 13: (FULL)

Denali - Upper West Rib
May 21 - June 10: 3 spots

Denali - West Buttress Expeditions
April 25 - May 15: 5 spots
May 2 - 22: 6 spots
May 9 - 29: 5 spots
May 16 - June 5: 5 spots
May 23 - June 12: 2 spots
May 30 - June 19: 3 spots
June 6 - 26: 5 spots
June 13 - July 3: 6 spots
June 20 - July 12: 2 spots
June 27 - July 17: 5 spots

Mountain Guides Course
April 15 - 26: 4 spots

Advanced Mountaineering Course
May 6 - 17: 6 spots

Denali Prep Course/Kahiltna Dome
June 5-14: 6 spots

Mountaineering Courses
Several Dates: all have availability

Wilderness Backpacking Courses
Several Dates: all have availability

Denali Photo Workshop
August 22-27: available

Wilderness First Responder Courses
WFR 70-Hour Course
March 5-13: 13 spots
WFR 3-day Recert
March 19-21: 18 spots
March 26-28: 18 spots

Custom Expeditions
A limited number of dates are still available for Denali, contact AMS for details.
Many other custom options are available - all over the Alaska Range!

Here is the full schedule for more options.
Call or email AMS if you have any questions!
We're in the office Monday-Friday, 10 am - 5 pm Alaska Time.
907-733-1016
info@climbalaska.org
~Blogger Julia

AMS Gear Sale This Wednesday, October 20th

Tons of new and used gear for sale. Doors open at 11 am, close at 6-7 pm. Location: AMS Mountain Shop on F street.

Update for Big Climbs 2011

The expeditions on lesser-climbed routes for the coming season are filling quickly. Now is a good time to plan your expedition and commit to that training schedule!
There is still some space on the Upper West Rib expedition. Great for those who want to climb Denali but want more of a challenge than the West Buttress. Lots of space on West Buttress Expeditions, for now.
We still have availability for Custom Climbs on Moose's Tooth, 11,300, Mt. Dickey, Barrille, Mt. Russell, etc., etc.
This is a great time to plan your Spring Climb!

Here is the current availability for 2011:

Aconcagua Expeditions
January 10 - 28: (FULL)
February 10 - 28: one spot available

Foraker - Sultana Expedition
April 27 - May 13: one spot available

Denali - Upper West Rib
May 21 - June 10: 3 spots

Denali - West Buttress Expeditions
April 25 - May 15: 6 spots
May 2 - 22: 6 spots
May 9 - 29: 5 spots
May 16 - June 5: 6 spots
May 23 - June 12: 4 spots
May 30 - June 19: 5 spots
June 6 - 26: 6 spots
June 13 - July 3: 6 spots
June 20 - July 12: 2 spots
June 27 - July 17: 6 spots

Mountain Guides Course
April 15 - 26: 4 spots

Advanced Mountaineering Course
May 6 - 17: 6 spots

Denali Prep Course/Kahiltna Dome
June 5-14: 6 spots

Mountaineering Courses
Several Dates: all have availability

Wilderness Backpacking Courses
Several Dates: all have availability

Wilderness First Responder Courses
WFR 70-Hour Course
March 5-13: available
WFR 3-day Recert
March 19-21: available
March 26-28: available

Custom Expeditions
A limited number of dates are still available for Denali, contact AMS for details.
Many other custom options are available - all over the Alaska Range!

Here is the full schedule for more options.
Call or email AMS if you have any questions!
We're in the office Monday-Friday, 10 am - 5 pm Alaska Time.
907-733-1016
info@climbalaska.org
~Blogger Julia

Avalanche Safety Training

The Alaska Avalanche School has just announced its winter schedule:
www.alaskaavalanche.com
For anyone planning to play in the snow this winter - we recommend their programs.
Play safe!
~Blogger Julia

Availability Updates for Early October

Here is the current availability for 2011:

Aconcagua Expeditions
January 10 - 28: (FULL)
February 10 - 28: one spot available (pending)

Foraker - Sultana Expedition
April 27 - May 13: two spots available (both are pending)

Denali - Upper West Rib
May 21 - June 10: 3 spots

Denali - West Buttress Expeditions
April 25 - May 15: 6 spots
May 2 - 22: 6 spots
May 9 - 29: 5 spots
May 16 - June 5: 6 spots
May 23 - June 12: 4 spots
May 30 - June 19: 5 spots
June 6 - 26: 6 spots
June 13 - July 3: 6 spots
June 20 - July 12: 2 spots
June 27 - July 17: 6 spots

Mountain Guides Course
April 15 - 26: 5 spots

Advanced Mountaineering Course
May 6 - 17: 6 spots

Denali Prep Course/Kahiltna Dome
June 5-14: 6 spots

Mountaineering Courses
Several Dates: all have availability

Wilderness Backpacking Courses
Several Dates: all have availability

Wilderness First Responder Courses
WFR 70-Hour Course
March 5-13: available
WFR 3-day Recert
March 19-21: available
March 26-28: available

Custom Expeditions
A limited number of dates are still available for Denali, contact AMS for details.
Many other custom options are available - all over the Alaska Range!

Here is the full schedule for more options.
Call or email AMS if you have any questions!
We're in the office Monday-Friday, 10 am - 5 pm Alaska Time.
907-733-1016
info@climbalaska.org
~Blogger Julia

Carving Some Turns!

Yesterday Colby took some die-hard eager-skiers up to Hatcher Pass for a ski up on Lane Glacier. They carved some turns on the snow hidden behind all the boulders.Kyle & Tom are the most eager father and son ski team... they make a point of skiing every month of the year!The weather held up, with a dusting of fresh snow up high.

Today is Voting Day for our local elections. A great day to get out!!!~Blogger Julia