Mountaineering Course, 7/15-7/26, 2020: Trip Photos

Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts of Talkeetna Air Taxi's owner Paul landing on the Eldridge Glacier for pick up. 

The 12-day Mountaineering Course had a full value experience on the Eldridge Glacier full of a variety of weather, skills learned, and an all-around good time. Enjoy these amazing and high quality photos taken by AMS guides Eric Roberts and Colby Coombs! 

Local Talkeetnan Bailey M. enjoying her "backyard" of the Alaska Range. Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Peak Ascent, Eldridge Glacier, photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Skills practice, ascending out of a crevasse, photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Heading back to camp after exploring the surrounding peaks. Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Crevasse rescue skill practice: putting those knots to use! Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Skills practice: Ascending out of a crevasse. Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Talkeetna local Elliot H. perfecting the backcountry pancake! Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Knowing how to cook and melt snow for water while snow camping is an essential skill all the students learn. Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Wouldn't be the Alaska Range without some stormy weather. Great mountaineering practice for gear placement and making a bomber camp ahead of time so you can sleep soundly no matter the weather.  Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

The crew having a good time up high. Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Kim practicing arresting a crevasse fall, Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Matt taking in the scenery. Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Self-arrest practice, Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Colby demonstrating how to self-arrest. Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Skill: Snowpack assessment, Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Eric Roberts

Bailey and Matt enjoying the top out of a climb in the Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Colby Coombs

Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Colby Coombs

Eldridge Glacier, Photo by AMS guide Colby Coombs 

Teen Backpacking July 5-11, 2020: Trip Photos!

This team led by Colby Coombs and Tre-C Dumais had a great and challenging time with mixed weather and lots of animal sightings. We are proud of our local teens getting out and challenging themselves! Photos by Colby and Tre-C.

"We knew from the start that this trip would be amazing, yet never pictured or imagined experiencing this much. I had to face a lot of fears as we crossed and conquered huge passes with minimum visibility. I learnt how my friends would look out for me and how I was able to push past my fears. Without these/my trustworthy guides I would not have even attempted some of the slopes we faced. Our group learnt everything from bear calls to great cooking. I can't wait to continue courses with all the new skills I have learnt."

"This was such an amazing experience. I have done nothing like it. We hiked through passes that went straight up and down! It was scary, but I am glad I did it! All the campsites were amazing...One night we camped by a glacier lake. When I woke up that morning and went down to the water edge, the fog was looming over it, it looked like a scene from a movie! It was definitely one of my highlights from the trip." 

Mountaineering Course, 7/15-7/26, 2020: update

Eldridge glacier last year, photo by David Decosta 

AMS lead guide Colby Coombs has sent word that the team is doing great on the Eldridge Glacier. They have gotten some stormy weather, which is great practice for good winter camping skills and classes. They have now moved camp twice, practiced fixed lines, crevasse rescue, ice climbing, and rappelling. Recently the students were able to lead the rope teams, which requires navigation on a crevassed glacier and setting a good pace for the team. The second camp move brought them down-glacier and up a pass with amazing views.

Past photo by AMS guide Taylor Bracher of traveling on the Eldridge Glacier on a clear day

David DeCosta captures the mood of a cloudy and low visibility day on the Eldridge last year

So much to explore...

Learning the ins and outs of building a snow kitchen and cooking on a remote glacier! Photo by David DeCosta 

Map view of the Edridge glacier and surrounding area of Denali National Park. Where the three major rivers meet is Talkeetna. 

Teen Backpacking July 1-7, 2020: Trip Photos

Mountain Goat in the Chugach, photo by AMS guide Fallon Connolly

"It was quite an experience and I have learned a lot about being outside of my regular domain and how to take care of it. This trip helped me get outside with my friends and helped me realize the amazing bounty that Alaska can offer, so I thank you very much for that.  Now I must admit going up a 5000 feet pass didn’t feel too great at the time, but now that I have accomplished it, I’ve realized that pain is only temporary. What a great experience and I have learned so much about myself and Alaska from it."

The team trekking through a snowy pass, Chugach Mountains, photo by Lisle Coombs

Penguin Slide on a snowfield in the Chugach! Photo by Lisle Coombs

"I went on the 7 day teen hike, it was very hard, but also super fun! I learned many things like how to safely cross a river, how to read a map, and teamwork. I'm very happy and grateful I got to go on this once in a lifetime hike!"

Map Reading class, Photo by Lisle Coombs 

Group Photo on the 7 day traverse through rugged off-trail terrain: Starting L:
Breck, Lea, Emily, Sahai, Poppy, Lisle, back row: Allegany 

Close encounter with a wild goat, Chugach mountains, Photo by Lisle Coombs

Photo by Allegany, having a good time on the traverse!

"I am a 14-year-old outdoor enthusiast, I love to hike.  I had an excellent time, I learned so much, and it was a wonderful experience! During the trip I learned all about plants and the wild Alaskan tundra, I also learned all about bear safety, and how to use bear spray. Through the trip, I learned about leadership and how to make the trip accomplishable for others, I also learned all about perseverance, and how if you are not having fun to not complain and make it unfair for others."