6 Day Mountaineering Course 4/28 - Hoeschen

The April 28- Six-Day Mountaineering Course, led by Josh Hoeschen checked in today. They are doing very well on Glacier One. Glacier one is a local nickname for a wonderful side glacier that feeds into the lower Ruth Gorge.

Today, they climbed FAKE PEAK! They will have some fun photos to share upon their planned return on Monday, May 3.

They are back safely in camp now and are enjoying hot drinks, good company, and of course -  shoveling it snowed on them overnight. They are happy and healthy!

Previous AMS course practicing Crevasse Rescue.

Advanced Mountaineering Course 4/28 - Patch = Checking in

  The April 28- Advanced Mountaineering Course, led by Scott Patch and Keith Sidle checked in today. They are doing very well in the Ruth Gorge.

Today, they had a nice outing to the base of 747 Pass, where they plan to move to in the coming days.

They are back safely in camp now and are enjoying hot drinks, good company, and some shoveling. They are happy and healthy!

Previous AMS course touring in the Ruth Gorge.

12 Day Mountaineering Course April 21 - Roden

 The April 21- 12 Day mountaineering Course, led by Brock Roden, checked in today, and is doing well on the Ruth Glacier.

It has been snowing on them for the past 24 hours, so they had a great time working on navigation during "whiteout" or low visibility situations.

They are back safely in camp now and are planning on their last full day in the mountains tomorrow. They are happy and healthy!

We are looking forward to seeing them back in Talkeetna on Sunday, May 2

Previous AMS course practicing Crevasse Rescue - a standard part of all AMS Alaska Range programs.

TEAMS HAVE RETURNED!

The following teams have returned on schedule today with plenty of smiles and perhaps a little bit of well-earned tiredness.  These teams have had amazing weather and climbing conditions, congratulations to all of them for making the most of their week in the Alaska Range.

Moose’s Tooth - Gardner

Moose’s Tooth - Phelps

Elmendorf EOD Mountain Training - Coombs

Plenty of gear drying out at the AMS HQ

Updates from current AMS climbs and courses in the Alaska Range

All teams are loving this amazing clear weather and snow conditions this week in the Alaska Range.

AMS student in the Ruth Gorge: Photo AMS Archives

Moose’s Tooth - Gardner: currently climbing 11,300’ in the Ruth Amphitheater - they set up a bivy camp 1000’ from the summit yesterday and are expecting to be back down this evening. 

Moose’s Tooth - Phelps: had a great day climbing Ham ‘n Eggs the Col the other day! They are climbing nearby routes and taking advantage of the ideal conditions.

EOD Mountain Training - Coombs: are working hard and loving it. They summited Fake Peak the other day. 

12 Day Mountaineering Course - Roden: are doing great on the Ruth Glacier. They are learning a lot in these ideal conditions and will be moving camp soon to get closer to their climbing objective. 

Mooses Tooth 4/18 - Gardner - Summit Day

 The team reached the summit of Moose's Tooth around noon today! 

Moose's Tooth Summit Selfie: good work Mike, Evan, and Pete
It's major a bonus when you get enough cell service from the tops of your peak to send a real-time photo! 

They now are safe in their camp after their descent and are snug in the sleeping bags after a hot meal and a long day of climbing. 

TEAMS LAUNCHING TODAY: MOOSE'S TOOTH and 673 EOD TRAINING

It officially feels like spring in Talkeetna - no spring flowers, but plenty of bright climbers clothing roaming around!

Today on a beautiful and sunny blue sky day AMS launched two teams to fly into the Alaska Range for a week of adventure - and they sure got the weather window! The forecast is for a sunny week ahead. 

                                            Andrew and Jeremiah off for the Tooth

 Elmendorf 673 EOD Training with Colby Coombs

DENALI 2021 AVAILIBILITY

Due to last-minute cancellations because of the international Travel Ban, we now have openings on some of our Denali, West Buttress teams. 

These teams were previously full - so if you've been screened by AMS already, or if you are wondering if you qualify for the climb of a lifetime, contact us today and we will be back in touch right away.

 Find application materials on our website or email us and we will send them to you. 

 2021 DENALI, WEST BUTTRESS EXPEDITION AVAILABILITY UPDATE: 

May 10 – 31, 2021- 2 climber positions available 

May 13 – June 3, 2021- FULL 

May 17 – June 7, 2021- 1 climber position available

May 20 – June 10, 2021- 2 climber positions available

May 24 – June 14, 2021- FULL 

May 31– June 21, 2021- FULL 

June 3 – 24, 2021- 2 climber positions available 

June 7 – 28, 2021 - FULL 

June 14 – July 5, 2021 - FULL

June 17 – July 8, 2021- FULL

2021 Expedition price, $11,000 USD per person includes professional mountain guides, small team size with 6 climbers and 3 guides, Denali National Park Denali registration and climber fees, Pre-Climb: two nights Talkeetna Lodging, Ground Transport Anchorage to Talkeetna, and so much more.  - Our thorough Denali expedition screening process takes a few days for reviews and one on one personal calls.

Moose's Tooth - Custom Climb

They're off...The weather is looking really good for this custom team to climb in the Alaska Range this week. 

Best of luck and have fun Pete, Mike, and Evan! 

Ready to go and finalizing it all at the AMS gear room.

SKI MOUNTAINEERING IS BACK!

 This joyful crew is back from the mountains. What a great team!!! We look forward to more fun with them in the future. Seven feet of snow and nine days in the Alaska Range is a good way to start the spring.

SKI MOUNTAINEERING COURSE: STILL WAITING OUT THE WEATHER

Our Ski Mountaineering Course is still waiting for the weather for their pick up on the glacier - they are doing fine and are spending another night on the glacier tonight.

The weather is cloudy in Talkeetna and in the Alaska Range, and there have been no flights today. 

Here is a link to the Talkeetna Lodge Webcam, so you can watch the weather, this view is looking toward the Alaska Range from Talkeetna.

We are fully supportive of having the flight be a safe experience, so are happy to know that they are contently waiting for the weather to clear. Today they packed down the runway and are likely getting in some extra turns as well. :-)

Of course, this is not our ski team! However, this is a photo of climbers (at Kahiltna Basecamp) waiting for the weather to clear - they are compacting the snow for the runway so the planes can safely land on the glacier. 

2021 DENALI EXPEDITION - AVAILABILITY UPDATE

Due to last-minute cancellations because of the international Travel Ban, we now have openings on several of our Denali, West Buttress teams. These teams were previously full - so if you've been screened by AMS already, or if you are wondering if you qualify for the climb of a lifetime, apply today and we will be back in touch right away.

 Find application materials on our website or email us and we will send them to you. 

 2021 DENALI, WEST BUTTRESS EXPEDITION AVAILABILITY UPDATE: 

May 10 – 31, 2021- 2 climber positions available 

May 13 – June 3, 2021- FULL 

May 17 – June 7, 2021- 1 climber position available

May 20 – June 10, 2021- 2 climber positions available

May 24 – June 14, 2021- FULL 

May 31– June 21, 2021- FULL 

June 3 – 24, 2021- 2 climber positions available 

June 7 – 28, 2021 - FULL 

June 14 – July 5, 2021 - 1 climber position available

June 17 – July 8, 2021- FULL

2021 Expedition price, $11,000 USD per person includes professional mountain guides, small team size with 6 climbers and 3 guides, Denali National Park Denali registration and climber fees, Pre-Climb: two nights Talkeetna Lodging, Ground Transport Anchorage to Talkeetna, and so much more.  - Our thorough Denali expedition screening process takes a few days for reviews and one on one personal calls. 

AMS climbing on the 16K ridge.

SKI MOUNTAINEERING COURSE - WAITING FOR THE WEATHER

Our Ski Mountaineering Course is waiting for the weather to clear - they are doing well on the glacier and the Talkeetna Air Taxi is monitoring the weather and the led instructor, Jake Kayes is in contact with the pilots and has been giving them weather reports throughout the day.

We are experiencing some clearing here in Talkeetna now, but in the Alaska Range, it is still very cloudy, so the planes can not fly safely and land on the glacier to pick them up.

All of our course and expeditions plan for this exact situation. The team has plenty of extra food, fuel, and warm gear to last for days and days and days.  They will snuggle in for the night and hope for clear weather tomorrow!

This photo is from another AMS program but does represent what the weather is like in there right now.

 - not a day for flying!

Ski Mountaineering Course 2021

 Ski Mountaineering Course loading up at AMS HQ before flying in on April 7th

The AMS Ski Mountaineering Course is skiing powder today in the Alaska Range and we look forward to seeing them tomorrow, (weather permitting)!

They have earned their turns. 

This team had some unusual events to contend with during the 7-day course; notably a night-time low temperature of -26 Fahrenheit and a 5.9 earthquake! 

It has warmed up and they are having a great day skiing and have had an excellent study of avalanche, glacier travel, real-deal winter camping, much more during this course. We look forward to posting their photos for the Alaska Range.

2021 COURSE AVAILABILITY UPDATE

  Positions on courses are being filled daily; please indicate a first a second choice on your application materials and check in with us via email for the most current information.

Of Note: AMS strongly encourages all of our participants to receive the COVID-19 as it is available to you. Being vaccinated for COVID-19 in whole or part will allow you and your teammates more freedoms to socialize and to experience 'normal' mountain life.

Because redundancy in safety systems a good idea, everyone arriving at AMS is required to have a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 3 days of your arrival to AMS to begin your expedition.

Teamwork makes the dream work, setting up camp on the Kahiltna Glacier takes two or more. Photo: AMS / Dustin English / Voormi

2021 MOUNTAINEERING COURSE AVAILABILITY UPDATE:

Mountaineering Courses are filling faster than usual. If you are adventuresome, a team player, and want to further your outdoor skills, join us in the Alaska Range for fun, learning, and training in 2021. 

Ski Mountaineering

April 7- 13: FULL 

Advanced Mountaineering 

April 28-May 7: FULL

12 Day Mountaineering Courses

April 21- May 2:  2 places available 

May 5-15: 2 places available 

June 16-27: 3 places available 

July 2-13: 6 places available 

July 15-26: 5 places available 

6 Day Mountaineering Courses

April 28 - May 3: 1 place available 

May 12-17: 2 places available 

July 7-12: 2 place available 

Denali Prep/ Kahiltna Dome 

June 2-13: FULL (with a waitlist)

Contact AMS with ANY QUESTIONS and more information. 

 Find application materials on our website or email us and we will send them to you. 

DENALI 2021 Expedition Availability

  Positions on Expeditions are shifting rapidly and places are opening and closing suddenly; please indicate a first a second choice on your application materials and check in with us via email for the most current information.

Please Note: AMS strongly encourages all of our participants to receive the COVID-19 as it is available to you. Being vaccinated for COVID-19 in whole or part will allow you and your teammates more freedoms to socialize and to experience 'normal' expedition life.

Because redundancy in safety systems a good idea, everyone arriving at AMS is required to have a negative COVID-19 test, taken within 3 days of your arrival to AMS to begin your expedition.

AMS on Denali's West Buttress, approximately 15,500'

2021 DENALI EXPEDITION AVAILABILITY UPDATE: 

May 10 – 31, 2021- 2 climber positions available 

May 13 – June 3, 2021- FULL 

May 17 – June 7, 2021- FULL potential for 1 climber position available

May 20 – June 10, 2021- 2 climber positions available

May 24 – June 14, 2021- FULL 

May 31– June 21, 2021- FULL 

June 3 – 24, 2021- 1 climber position available potential for 2 additional places available

June 7 – 28, 2021 - FULL 

June 14 – July 5, 2021 - 1 climber position available

June 17 – July 8, 2021- FULL

 2021 Expedition price, $11,000 USD per person includes professional mountain guides, small team size with 6 climbers and 3 guides, Denali National Park Denali registration and climber fees, Pre-Climb: two nights Talkeetna Lodging, Ground Transport Anchorage to Talkeetna, and so much more.  - Our thorough Denali expedition screening process takes a few days for reviews and one on one personal calls. 

 Find application materials on our website or email us and we will send them to you.