Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Alpine Ascents International
The good tidings of the mountains have the power to transform us. To experience the technicolor hues of an alpine sunrise or to gaze into the blue depths of a crevasse is to walk away humbled and awestruck at the beauty of our public lands. For too long, these life-altering experiences have been out of reach for the many – particularly those of color who have historically had less access to the outdoors, whether it be from a lack of green spaces in urban neighborhoods to feeling unwelcome in typical outdoor recreation areas.
From our founding, environmental protection has been fundamental to our mission and the intersectionality of environmentalism and social justice can no longer be overlooked. A diverse and inclusive outdoors inspires respect for the wilderness and the unity to protect it. Cherishing and persevering our alpine environment for the enjoyment of all starts with welcoming everyone to our rope team and breaking down the barriers to access.
Inclusivity at Alpine Ascents International
At Alpine Ascents International, each of us contributes to fostering a culture of inclusion and acceptance that runs from our corporate office in Seattle to the rope team on the summit of Tahoma.
Goals
Continue to actively recruit and retain mountain guide and administrative staff from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.
Expand affinity programming to LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.
Provide opportunities for BIPOC climbers to gain mentorship / technical training for outdoor industry jobs such as mountain guiding.
Craft an attentive land acknowledgement statement for each domestic program and post prominently on the respective climb / course page.
Instruct our guide staff in the importance of land acknowledgement and best practices for delivering a land acknowledgement to our clientele.
Highlight at least one DEI topic in each issue of our internal newsletter.
OUT in the Wild x Alpine Ascents Pride Climb
To celebrate Pride Month, Alpine Ascents is proud to partner with OUT in the Wild for a special 3-Day climb of Mount Baker, originally known as Kulshan, for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. One of the quintessential glaciated peaks of the Cascades, this climb offers an inspiring alpine experience for both aspiring and seasoned mountaineers, along with some of the most spectacular sunsets of any of our programs. This departure coincides with Pride Month and the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, honoring a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and celebrating the visibility, resilience, and strength of the queer community.
A representative from OUT in the Wild will join us on Kulshan to share more about their mission and help foster meaningful connection throughout the climb. Together, we’ll spend three days building skills, moving through glaciated terrain, and creating space for conversation, laughter, challenge, and shared accomplishment in the mountains.
Like OUT in the Wild, we believe that for the outdoor community and industry to be truly diverse and inclusive, representation matters. When more people see themselves in the mountains, more people step into them. This climb is one small but intentional step toward expanding access and celebrating queer athletes in the alpine.
The program will follow the same itinerary and inclusions as our standard 3-Day Baker climb, while centering community and shared experience. We’re especially proud that this departure has been a long-standing request from our guide staff, and we’re thrilled to see the vision realized in partnership with such an aligned organization.
In support of this collaboration, 10% of all climb proceeds will be donated to OUT in the Wild. We hope this climb inspires connection, confidence, and continued presence in the mountains—for this season and beyond.
Gear Check: June 3, 2026 @ 4PM
Climb Dates: June 4 – 6, 2026
Trip Information at this link.
About OUT in the Wild
OUT in the Wild is an LGBTQIA2S+-owned and operated outdoor guide service dedicated to making outdoor experiences more welcoming and accessible for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Through inclusive programming and guided experiences, we help participants develop technical skills, build confidence, and find community in the outdoors—while contributing to a culture where more people feel they belong outside.
Our work focuses on two core areas: Building Skills, through outdoor programs that teach technical climbing skills so participants can explore safely and confidently; and Building Community, which brings people together through queer-centered events that foster connection, support, and a sense of belonging, all in outdoor spaces. Our programming spans the entire West Coast. From Joshua Tree to Bishop, Smith Rock to Index and beyond, we offer programs throughout the year in a variety of topics from beginner to advanced.
Learn more about our programming and see our schedule at www.outinthewild.org
About the Guides
Morgan McGonagle will be leading our PRIDE Climb on Mount Baker this June. Originally from Denver, Morgan grew up exploring the Rocky Mountains and has been chasing mountain adventures ever since. After studying mechanical engineering at Dartmouth College—where she also competed in Division I rugby—she moved to Washington in 2019 and quickly fell in love with the rugged peaks and deep green forests of the North Cascades. In the winter, Morgan works as a ski patroller at Crystal Mountain and teaches avalanche education courses, bringing both technical expertise and a strong commitment to making backcountry travel safer and more accessible. While she loves climbing beautiful peaks and skiing big lines, Morgan is especially passionate about expanding access to avalanche education and winter mountain sports. When she’s not in the mountains, you might find her singing in a band with fellow patrollers, baking sourdough bagels, sewing hats, taking photos of friends, or plunging into very cold water.
I am very excited to guide this Pride Climb because some of my most joyful and empowering days in the mountains have been when I’m surrounded and supported by queer community. I hope to continue fostering this community in the outdoors and empowering others to be fully themselves in the mountains. – Morgan McGonagle
About the OUT in the Wild Representative
Chloe Goyal will be the OUT in the Wild representative on the climb. Since moving to Seattle, WA from London, UK, Chloe (she/her) has devoted her time to providing rock instruction and guiding in the Pacific Northwest. She guides with OUT in the Wild and is invested in making space for underprivileged and underrepresented communities in adventure sports. Chloe is committed to professional development and excellence, and is certified as an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Wilderness First Responder.
She finds joy in all forms of climbing but particularly likes alpine, multi-pitch routes with great snacks and even better company. She is excited to jump into mountaineering and explore glaciated terrain, while centering her queer community. When not guiding or climbing, you can find Chloe teaching First Aid and CPR, tinkering with her bike, dancing with friends, or spending time with her cat, Phoenix.
I can’t wait to join the AAI Pride Climb and explore Koma Kulshan with my queer community. Advancing technical skills from people who live like me is such a joy and I’m excited to learn from Morgan! – Chloe Goyal
Alpine Ascents International and the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge
Alpine Ascents International is proud to sign the pledge and partner with In Solidarity.
By signing the pledge, Alpine Ascents International is committing to:
- Hire and support a diverse workforce and executive leadership.
- Present representative marking and advertising in our media.
- Engage and support broadly representative ambassador and athlete teams.
- Share our experiences with other leading companies.
By committing to The Pledge, we commit to establishing programs and initiatives around diversity and inclusion. In recognition of the greater outdoor community within which we exist, we will help other companies in their own paths to inclusive representation, and make ourselves open to real conversations about the challenges we face together.
We believe the outdoor industry will reach its full potential when it represents everyone who goes outside, and works to reverse the erasure of Indigenous communities who are the original stewards of our land. By committing to The Pledge and advocating for diversity and inclusion within our workplaces, industries, and broader business community, we create an outdoor landscape that includes and empowers everyone.
I had a great time on the expedition. The mountains were beautiful and challenging and the cultural tour was an unexpected extra! The trip plan made sense, giving us a enough time to acclimatize, have a great opportunity to successfully summit the mountains and recover in between.
