No Images? Click here Fall 2018 NewsletterSummer in the Cascades 2019Rainier trips may be nearly full, but those in the know have set their sights on Mt. Baker. Known as the great "Snow King" of the North Cascades, Baker is a worthy and equally beautiful objective. Mt. Baker gives one a near identical experience to Rainier but with arguable even more spectacular summit views. For 2019 we were able to cut the pack weight to 45 lbs. (climbers are no longer asked to carry tents, stove and fuel). While some departures are full many prime dates are still open for booking to the great “snow king”. Learn more about Mt. Baker in Peter Potterfield’s Rainier vs. Baker article or visit our website to view current openings. Baker vs. Rainier Article and current openings Everest 2019 Summit Climb and TrekLooks like it will be another robust Everest season on top of the world as we are starting preparations for our Everest team next April. Ben Jones, Jangbu Sherpa and Eric Murphy are scheduled to guide this seasons attempt on the highest mountain on Earth. Learn about Everest and our celebrated history at: Everest 2019 Trekking into Base Camp: As always, we offer a trek to Base Camp, a magical experience in its own right with a rare chance to spend a night at base camp. This is a unique opportunity for trekkers to not only reach their goal of Everest Base Camp but overnight at the Alpine Ascents camp. Legendary Everest and 7 summits guide, Vernon Tejas, will be leading our trekkers in, with stories, facts and the necessary expertise to get you to 17,300 feet. Buddhist monasteries, Sherpa communities and the mighty Himalayas line our path to BC. No technical skills needed for the trek just excellent fitness and willingness to learn and enjoy! Denali – The Great OneThe West Buttress of Denali is a true American classic and just about as big of an undertaking as we offer. This three week expedition places great demands on the strength and fortitude of our climbers with promise of great reward for those who rise to the challenge. Teams are filling up a bit quicker than in the past so please let us know if you are interested in joining. As always we are happy to review your climbing resume as we aim to ensure all team members are as prepared as possible. You can find dates, prerequisites and lead guides at: Bosnia – Montenegro – AlbaniaAlpine Ascents Director of Programs, Gordon Janow, recently returned from the Balkans and well, simply put, a picture is worth a thousand words. The guides were fantastic and highly skilled and the landscape was absolutely stunning. Now is the right time to visit this region where tourism is just starting to take off! While not a scheduled offering, Gordon and our local Bosnian outfitter would be thrilled to put a trip together for you such as:
Please contact Gordon at gjanow@alpineascents.com to discuss a custom trip. Training with Alpine AthleticsLooking for a trainer for the upcoming season? Lisa recently returned from K2 after building her way up through bigger and bigger climbs over the years. Whether your goal is to climb Mount Baker or Mount Everest, Lisa can assist with your development and help to:
Reach Lisa via her website at: https://www.alpineathletics.net/pnwservices Find other trainers and training suggestions on our specific trip training pages. Gear Store Recommended Item“The Gear Shop is excited about the new The North Face Summit L6 Down Belay Parka. It’s warm enough for Mount Rainier, Kilimanjaro, the volcanoes of Mexico, and even Ecuador’s Chimborazo – yet light enough to disappear into a pack. The L6 boasts a helmet-compatible hood, plus targeted waterproof panels and a two-way zipper for ease-of-use with a harness or at belay stations. Don’t forget to enter your discount code “CLIMB” for 10% off you order!” Find us on line at: Off the Beaten Path Treks and ClimbLadakh, India Climbing Rainier or Baker, trekking to Everest Base Camp, and visiting Machu Picchu are all iconic and popular for a great reason; they are fantastic time tested journeys. So why do some seek out the remote and little known and how do we decide between the popular (and their obvious physical and intellectual rewards) and sojourns far from the madding crowds? For those of us who enjoy both, the key is picking the adventure that meets your particular interest. Figuring out what you are hoping to gain from a journey comes before picking the location. Those interested in remote areas for hiking/climbing have a different inclination those who enjoy immersing themselves in villages or local populations. Here is a short list of our less traveled climbs and treks that may be prove to be an “iconic” experience for you. Vern on the LooseThere are still opportunities to climb with the legendary Vern Tejas this summer, with openings on his upcoming trips to Elbrus, and Trek to Everest Base Camp with an additional climb of Island Peak and Lobuche afterward. For those with the prerequisite experience, you can even join him on the highest mountain in America! you can read about his adventures in his new book, Seventy Summits. Patagonia Trek with Jose Luis PeralvoAfter a sold out inaugural trip we are thrilled to announce that Jose Luis will be leading our Patagonia Trek again this spring. By day, trek to some of the world’s most stunning landscapes and enjoy fine lodging and dining in the evenings. Details; slide show and sign up and at: Guides TrainingContinuing education for our guide staff is a vital part of the Alpine Ascents commitment to running quality programs. Each guide has an annual training requirement and most guides far exceed that requirement. We host internal guide trainings run by our senior guide staff to refine and hone specific guiding techniques as well as practice rescue scenarios. Guides also seek outside education from leading industry professionals such as the AMGA, Rigging for Rescue, and the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education to ensure that they stay current with the latest in safe guiding, avalanche forecasting, and mountaineering rescue leadership skills. In addition to field training, our guides attend bi-annual guide seminars with workshops on topics such as risk management, field medical protocols, and inclusivity training. We strive to provide more comprehensive training than any other outfitter and feel the results of this investment are clear each day our guides work in the field. (J. Spitzer, Guide Manager) New Climber Sign In Coming SoonBe on the lookout for our new web-based climber sign in. In the near future, climbers will have access to a personal portal which holds all trip information in one place. You’ll be able to update your personal information and sign up for trips without filling out an entirely new application for each trip. We are looking forward to launching this new database system in the coming weeks, and further personalizing your experience with Alpine Ascents. Summer International CalendarMay - June Denali Sep - Oct Cho-Oyu |