The 12 Day Mountaineering Course has lucked out with beautiful weather and bluebird skies for a week now. This has given them the opportunity to move around, explore and work on their new skills. Today some clouds rolled in and the overcast sky gave them a welcome reprieve from the long hours of bright, snow glare. They are setting up camp on the Pika Glacier now.
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| What a great team, including a mother-daughter duo, active duty military, tech professionals, ER physician, and a medical student |
This group had a great launch today, with great weather. They very efficiently checked gear and received rentals, packed their field lunches for the course, and ascend the fixed lines prior to heading to the Talkeetna airport this afternoon. They loaded up into Talkeetna Air taxi ski planes and flew into the Alaska Range where they will live on the glacier for the next 6 days. We look forward to hearing all about their great mountain adventure when they return on May 3rd.
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| The Team working on fixed-line ascension practice at AMS HQ |
The April 20th, 12-Day Mountaineering Course team is doing well and learning a lot. They are fine-tuning their glacier travel and crevasse rescue skills and the other day they moved camp to the North. The students are doing a great job out there and are learning a lot - today they plan to have students lead rope teams on a long day as they travel to and explore the adjoining Lacuna Glacier.
They continue to have fantastic weather!
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| The Ramparts, photo: Jake Kayes |
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| Denali's South Face, as seen from Kahiltna Basecamp - photo: AMS collection |
Due to transfers, last-minute injuries, and other unexpected events, we have a few places open on some of our Denali, West Buttress Expeditions in May 2022.
Expedition price includes; a small team size: max of 6 climbers with 3 AMS Mountain Guides, NPS climber fees, 2 nights pre-climb Talkeetna lodging, ground transport between Anchorage and Talkeetna, and a lot more.
Find more information check out our website, and contact us anytime!
Our application materials are on our website or email us and we will send them to you.
$11,500.00 per person, 22 days
Maximum team size: 6 climbers, 3 guides
Current Availability:
May 9 – 30: 1 place available
May 16 – June 6: 2 places available
May 19 - June 9: 1 place available
May 30 – June 20: 1 place available
All other dates are FULL
The Ski Mountaineering Course returned yesterday and whoa, they had a good time. The weather and camaraderie were top-notch.
Here are a few dreamy photos from Instructor Jake Kayes:
Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming back a long-time AMS climber, again this spring. He and his fantastic team are off to the Eldridge Glacier to make the most of the next 8 days. we look forward to hearing about all of their adventures upon their return.
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| Nate, Mark, and Keagan can still stand on the crust! |
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| This is not a photo of this year's team, but of a previous AMS ski mountaineering team in the same area! |
The weather has been fantastic for this team. They have been making the most of this wonderful weather and good ski conditions. They have already covered avalanche drills, built fortified kitchens in the snow, skied corn snow conditions, and saw a wolverine yesterday!
This very jolly 12-Day Mountaineering Course team flew in on schedule yesterday!
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| All smiles prior to heading to the airport! |
They are bound to have a great time and are planning to cover many miles in the Alaska Range and move camp many times after covering the basics at their first camp.
The climbing conditions are perfect in the Alaska Range right now, and the weather is sunny and beautiful.
Due to last-minute injuries and other unexpected events, we have a few places open on some of our Denali, West Buttress Expeditions in May 2022.
Expedition price includes; a small team size: max of 6 climbers with 3 AMS Mountain Guides, NPS climber fees, 2 nights pre- climb Talkeetna lodging, ground transport between Anchorage and Talkeetna, and more.
Find more information check out our website, and contact us anytime! Our application materials are on our website or email us and we will send them to you.
$11,500.00 per person, 22 days
Maximum team size: 6 climbers, 3 guides
Current Availability:
May 9 – 30: 1 place available
May 16 – June 6: 2 places available
May 19 - June 9: 1 place available
May 23 – June 13: 1 place available
May 30 – June 20: 1 place available
All other Dates are FULL
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| Denali's West Buttress, upper mountain: the views! |
Today was a beautiful sunny day in Talkeetna and the perfect day for the Ski Mountaineering Course to begin. They are currently setting up their camp and settling in with a hot dinner in the Alaska Range.
This team of seven is going to have a great time skiing and climbing for the next 7 days.
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| The Ski Mountaineering Team packed up at AMS and was ready to roll to the Talkeetna airport |
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| Gear check this morning at AMS |
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| Avalanche Beacon check prior to departing AMS - yes, we still have a lot of snow at AMS! |
2027 Denali / McKinley, West Buttress Expeditions including an All Women's Team that is only offered on alternate years! Denali / McKi...
