2018 Mountaineering Season
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Alaska Mountaineering School (AMS) promotes excellence in responsible mountaineering and wilderness travel though education and guiding. Our core principles are safety, Leave No Trace, leadership, teamwork, skills, and enjoyment. AMS' course progression and hands-on approach teaches confidence based on knowledge. We support a strong foundation that results in a lifetime of enjoyment of the..
2018 Mountaineering Season
3w ago
We've added a new July, 6-Day Mountaineering Course for women.
Mountaineering has traditionally been a predominantly male space. But dig a little and you'll find stories of women such as, Dora Keen, Betty Ivano Menard, Ada Blackjack, Barbara Washburn, Arlene Blum, Sophia Danenberg, Lhakpa Sherpa, and so many more who have been accomplishing impressive feats throughout the decades. Yet, women can face small, but accumulating nudges that make them less confident in their ability to thrive in challenging mountain environments. We know that all-women cour ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
1M ago
Denali's West Buttress, photo by Mountaineering Ranger, Chris Erickson
Guided Denali, West Buttress Expeditions:
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.
$12,100.00 per person, 22 days
Maximum team size: 6 climbers, 3 guides
May 9 – May 30: places available
May 1 ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
3M ago
Alaska Range Painting by Leighan Falley, "Yenta Glacier Olives"
Guided Denali, West Buttress Expeditions - 2024
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.
$12,100.00 per person, 22 days
Maximum team size: 6 climbers, 3 guides
May 9 – May 30: places available
May 13 –June 3: Full
May 16 – June 6: 2 places available
May 23 – June 1 ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
3M ago
We love to have our guides drop into the AMS headquarters, especially in winter- when things are pretty quiet and lonely for the office folks. Jed Workman guided for us for 8 years. We are thrilled that he stopped in to say Hi, and was keen to show off his yurt snow-raking skills!   ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
3M ago
Alaska Range Painting by Leighan Falley, "Yenta Glacier Olives"
Guided Denali, West Buttress Expeditions - 2024
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.
$12,100.00 per person, 22 days
Maximum team size: 6 climbers, 3 guides
May 9 – May 30: places available
May 13 –June 3: 2 places available
May 16 – June 6: 2 places available
May 23 ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
5M ago
Denali in all her grandeur... showing off her best side, the West Buttress.
AMS cares first and foremost about your safety. We believe the most prepared expeditions are the most likely to reach the summit and return safely. Prepared expeditions are outfitted with carefully checked equipment of the finest quality, thoughtfully prepared meals with the highest nutritional yield and professional mountain guides who qualify for the unique demands of the job. Equally important is the level of preparedness of the expedition members who choose to climb with us.
For the safety an ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
6M ago
AMS is thrilled to be offering this opportunity for the first time in 2024. This will be a small team of only six female climbers with three female guides.
This is a rare and excellent opportunity for women to work together for 22 days with the common goal of climbing to the top of North America with a supportive affinity group.
■ Route, West Buttress
■ Advanced (Alaska Grade II)
■ 20,310’ / 6,190m
■ 22 days
■ 6 climbers: 3 guides
■ $12,100 per climber
Please carefully read our Denali, West Buttress Expedition Details found on our website. This all-female team will follow our st ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
6M ago
July on the Pika Glacier (from AMS photo archives)
Our very last group of the season has been hard at work, learning camping skills in a glaciated environment, snow protection and rigging, movement, and belaying. They will be on their way back to town tomorrow ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
8M ago
Weather may delay a course heading into the range- but it doesn't delay instruction!
The second group of our last Custom MTC course of the season spent an extra day in town before heading onto the Pika/Little Switzerland. They all made great use of their time practicing fixed-line ascensions, going over knots and discussing mechanical advantage. Luckily the morning was clear for flying and they headed off!
  ..read more
2018 Mountaineering Season
8M ago
Flying into the Alaska Range (photo: A. Erickson)
The last course of our 2023 season has begun! Instructors Colby Coombs, Josh Hoeschen and Michelle Leonard seized an opening in the weather and flew out to the Pika glacier this morning with 7 students. This "A" team was eager to head out and experience the Alaska Range and work on mountaineering skills ..read more