Merry Christmas

It has warmed up to 13F but it is quite windy and clouds are moving in...we are all hoping for more snow. We will be closed Christmas Day but will reopen on Wednesday at 9:00 AM.
Peace.

The view south from the end of Main Street on the afternoon of Christmas Eve.

The view inside the Fairview Inn; don't know why the tree is upside down...someone said it was mistletoe.

Happy Solstice

Photo by Bradford Washburn

Tonight is the longest night of the year, and tomorrow, Friday is the shortest day. We celebrate with solstice parties and bonfires. Each day thereafter is seconds, then minutes, longer with day light. Quickly the light comes back and before you know it so do the climbers!


Here is our current availability on expeditions.

Denali, Upper West Rib - 21 Days, $7900, 4 climbers: 2 guides
May 3 - 23, 3 spaces available
 June 7 - June 27,    FULL 

Denali, West Buttress

May 6 - May 26     4 spaces available, guide TBA, special ratio: 4 climbers: 2 guides $7900, 21 days

All below climbs will have 6 climbers: 2-3 guides, $6800, 21 days
May 10 - May 30     2 spaces available, guided by Larry Holmgren
May 13 - June 2      5 spaces available, guided by Todd Tumolo
May 20 - June 9      4 spaces available, guided by Nate Opp
May 25 - June 14    6 spaces available, guided by Nick D'Alessio
May 27 - June 16    4 spaces available, guided by Mark Postle
June 3 - June 23      FULL, guided by Todd Passey (wait list available)

June 10 - June 30    FULL, guided by Mike Hamill (wait list available)
June 14 - July 4       4 spaces available, guided by Mike Janes
June 17 - July 7       5 spaces available. guided by Josh Hoeschen
June 23 - July 13     6 spaces available, guided by Joey McBrayer
June 27 - July 17     FULL, guided by Rob Gowler (wait list available)

Foraker, Sultana Ridge, Guided by Melis Coady
May 17 - June 2,   1 space available  
17 Days, $6800, 4 climbers: 2 guides

Caribou and Climbing

Rosie and Trixie get a treat of caribou ribs courtesy of Laura. These caribou were hunted off the Denali Highway a few weeks ago. Trixie (on left) who is slightly more wolf than Rosie...waits patiently for her ribs.

 

Expedition Availability

We've added another West Rib Expedition to our lineup!

Denali, Upper West Rib - 21 Days, $7900, 4 climbers: 2 guides
May 3 - 23, 3 spaces availableJune 7 - June 27,    FULL 

Denali, West Buttress
 
May 6 - May 26     4 spaces available, guide TBA, special ratio: 4 climbers: 2 guides $7900, 21 days

All below climbs will have 6 climbers: 2-3 guides, $6800, 21 days
May 10 - May 30     2 spaces available, guided by Larry Holmgren
May 13 - June 2      4 spaces available, guided by Todd Tumolo
May 20 - June 9      4 spaces available, guided by Nate Opp
May 25 - June 14    6 spaces available, guided by Nick D'Alessio
May 27 - June 16    4 spaces available, guided by Mark Postle
June 3 - June 23      1 space available, guided by Todd Passey
June 10 - June 30    FULL, guided by Mike Hamill (wait list available)
June 14 - July 4       5 spaces available, guided by Mike Janes
June 17 - July 7       5 spaces available. guided by Josh Hoeschen
June 23 - July 13     6 spaces available, guided by Joey McBrayer
June 27 - July 17     FULL, guided by Rob Gowler (wait list available)

Foraker, Sultana Ridge, Guided by Melis Coady
May 17 - June 2,   1 space available  
17 Days, $6800, 4 climbers: 2 guides

Expedition Availability

It is a beautiful white snowy day here in Talkeetna.  We are busy in the office with phone calls, emails and paperwork for 2013 climbing expeditions.  Now is the time to book your Alaska Expedition for the adventure of a lifetime!

Denali, West Buttress
May 6 - May 26     4 spaces available, guide TBA, special ratio: 4 climbers: 2 guides $7900, 21 days


All below climbs running with 6 climbers: 2-3 guides, $6800, 21 days
May 10 - May 30     2 spaces available, guided by Larry Holmgren
May 13 - June 2       4 spaces available, guided by Todd Tumolo
May 20 - June 9       4 spaces available, guided by Nate Opp
May 25 - June 14     6 spaces available, guided by Nick D'Alessio
May 27 - June 16     4 spaces available, guided by Mark Postle
June 3 - June 23       1 space available, guided by Todd Passey
June 10 - June 30     FULL, guided by Mike Hamill (wait list available)
June 14 - July 4        5 spaces available, guided by Mike Janes
June 17 - July 7        5 spaces available. guided by Josh Hoeschen
June 23 - July 13      6 spaces available, guided by Joey McBrayer
June 27 - July 17      3 spaces available, guided by Rob Gowler


Denali, Upper West Rib
June 7 - June 27,    FULL 
21 Days, $7900, 4 climbers: 2 guides

Foraker, Sultana Ridge, Guided by Melis Coady
May 17 - June 2,   1 space available  
17 Days, $6800, 4 climbers: 2 guides

Nearing the Summit of Denali 20,320'

If you are not ready for a Denali Expedition,  keep in mind that we offer 6 day, 12 day and 15 day Mountaineering Courses, as well as Advanced Mountaineering and a Mountain Guide Course.  There are spaces available in all of them.  So come play in the Alaska Range.

Six Day Mountaineering, $2150

May 14 - 19

June 18 - 23

July 21 - 26

August 18 - 23

September 2 - 7

Twelve Day Mountaineering, $2950 April 22 - May 3 May 7 - 18 June 4 - 15 July 9 - 20 August 3 - 14 September 1 - 12 Fifteen Day Mountaineering, $3300  July 9 - 23.  12 Day Mountaineering with 3 day hike out. Denali Prep, 10 days, $3100 June 2 - 11 Mountain Guides Course, 12 days, $3500 April 17 - 28 Advanced Mountaineering, 12 days, $3500                                           May 1 - 12

All courses are maximum of 9 students, 3 instructors.

Peak Ascent on AMS' 12 Day Mountaineering  Course, Eldridge Glacier

 

New Course and Expedition for 2013!

We will be offering a 4-person Denali Expedition in early May and due to increased interest we have decided to add our Mountain Guides Course in late April.

 Denali West Buttress Expedition

May 6 - 26, 21 days - $7900.00

4 climbers: 2 guides

If you like a smaller group experience and want to be ahead of the crowd, the this might be the expedition for you. Glacier conditions should be excellent and you could have the summit to yourselves.

Mountain Guides Course

April 17 - 28 2013 12 days - $3500.00

6 students: 2 instructors

The Mountain Guide course is designed for individuals who wish to pursue a career in guiding or teaching at AMS or for another mountain guiding organization committed to high standards.  This 12-day course provides an excellent opportunity to learn how to guide clients on Alaskan expeditions and how to teach a mountaineering progression to students.  The course accomplishes this goal in a challenging and remote glaciated environment.  Alaska’s mountains are uncompromising and they present unique demands to the mountaineer. This course provides a platform to launch a career in big mountain guiding.

The advanced nature of this course requires that students have a minimum of 3 years roped climbing experience, know how to belay, build anchors, rappel and be comfortable in exposed locations.  Participants are required to have some experience winter camping.  Participants should be familiar with avalanche mechanics and rescue procedures.  Downhill skiing experience is also recommended.  Though not required, anyone seriously interested in pursuing a career in guiding or outdoor education should also be certified in Wilderness First Responder.

Contact our office for more information. Our winter hours are 9:00 to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Wilderness First Responder Courses

Due to the flooding in Talkeetna this past September our classroom spaces were severely damaged. We will be unable to have the space up and running for the spring Wilderness Medical courses and are sorry we must cancel our sponsorship of the courses. 

However, the courses will still continue to be offered!

We are aware how important these courses are and now there are two excellent instructors offering WFR courses in March and April of 2013. We highly suggest that you contact one of the following instructors for more information and to enroll in their WFR program. In the past the courses have always filled so it is great to have more spaces available.

WFR: March 8-17, $695
WFR Recert: March 22 - 24, $295
Course Location: Talkeetna, AK

http://alaskawildmed.blogspot.com

Taught by Melis Coady, Instructor/Sponsor - Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS (WMI)
meliscoady@gmail.com
phone: 907-733-3313
P.O. Box 1123
Talkeetna AK 99676

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WFR: March 23 -31, $625
WFR Recert: April 5 - 7, $275
WFR Recert: April 8 - 10. $275
Course Location: Contact Instructor

Taught by Deb Ajango, Instructor/Sponsor - Wilderness Medical Association (WMA)
 debajango@att.net
phone: 907-696-3490
32789 Cumulus Road
Eagle River AK 99577