Category: Gear

Food Planning for Mountaineering, Part 2: Breakdown

Camp Chef: Breakfast Sandwich

Welcome to Part 2 of our Food Planning for Mountaineering blog series. This post will breakdown the mysteries of building a proper meal plan for backcountry travel. Whether you are headed out on an overnight trip or a week-long expedition, you should be able to pick up some helpful tips and meal ideas as we […]

Gear Selection: How & Where to Focus for a Lighter Load

Gear Selection: How & Where to Focus for a Lighter Load

“How do I lighten my pack weight but still bring enough gear?” This is a very common, very important question. Here, I break down some key tips for dropping your pack weight. Get Rid of Some Niceties Perhaps the truest axiom when talking pack weights is that if you bring less, your pack will weigh […]

Ice Axes: Selecting a Size & Style

Ice Axes: Selecting a Size & Style

An ice axe is a critical piece of mountain equipment. Not only does it need to be suited for the terrain you will be encountering on a given peak, but it also needs to be sized correctly. As with most gear, the array of choices can be overwhelming, so we are going to break down […]

Avalanche Beacon Batteries

Avalanche Beacon Batteries

After a long drive to the trailhead, you’ve tossed your last items into your pack, drained the last drop of coffee, and locked the car. On the skin out of the snow-covered parking lot, you kick out ahead of your buddies for a group beacon check. Yesterday, you toured resort sidecountry, and your beacon was […]

What to Expect: Denali Expeditions

What to Expect: Denali Expeditions

In this series, we break down what to expect at the start of our expeditions. Where will you stay? Are there any tips or tricks to make the trip begin more smoothly? Though a Denali expedition can last 20+ days, the first two days can set the tone for the rest of the journey. While […]

3-Day Rainier Climb: Lunchtime

Aconcagua @TheRealJohnMule Back at Basecamp

So you’ve signed up for our 3-day climb of Mount Rainier, but are wondering what to pack for lunch each day. While we provide delicious, masterfully prepared, real-ingredient meals for breakfast and dinner, you’re right to take extra time to consider your snacks (known as “lunch” in the frontcountry!). Calories are fuel, and are almost […]

Camp Chef: Pesto Couscous

Camp Chef: Pesto Couscous

Welcome to our recurring series- Camp Chef! In this series of posts, we will discuss cooking in the backcountry and highlight some of our favorite recipes to use in a variety of situations. We will focus on simple, easy, and nutritious recipes that have proven delicious in the mountain environment, and offer related tips & […]

Food Planning for Mountaineering, Part I: Strategy

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By Mike Hawkins 10 days x 3,000 calories per day = 150 Clif Bars or 60 PB&J sandwiches Planning and packing food for long trips in the backcountry can be challenging and time consuming – but the last thing you want is to eat energy bars for 6 days straight. Climbers need to consider several […]

Single Wall Tents – Condensation Factories

Emmons With Tent

Most tent manufacturers these days offer a superlight, two pound (or less!) tent. These tents are simple to setup, occupy a very small footprint, and again – weigh in at about or under two pounds. When choosing a tent, it’s easy to focus on those factors and arrive at the conclusion that a single-walled shelter […]

Alpine Start Breakfast

Alpine Start Breakfast

When summit morning arrives, it’s important to move efficiently through packing, preparation, and last but not least – breakfast! Mike Hawkins talks through a few of the foods we like to eat for quick fuel on alpine start mornings. Whether it’s midnight or 3:00am, these options are our go-to fast breakfasts.  

ALPINE ASCENTS BLOG

  • Cascades Conditions Report 7/2/2025

    Hello climbers, We’re excited to report stellar conditions throughout the region as we kick off July. From Mount Baker to Rainier and deep into the North Cascades, our teams have experienced consistent summit success and excellent travel conditions. On Mount Rainier, May brought a 44% summit rate—well above average for that time of year—followed by […]

  • Cascades Conditions Report 6/25/2025

    Hello climbers, Summer is officially in full swing in the Cascades, and conditions have remained stellar throughout the region. We’ve seen consistent summit success across Washington—from Mount Baker to Rainier and beyond—and guides are reporting some of the best early-season conditions in years. In Alaska, we still have one Denali team remaining on the mountain. […]

  • Cascades Conditions Report 6/17/2025

    Hello climbers, We’ve had an incredible stretch of weather in the Cascades over the past 10 days, allowing teams to summit peaks across the region. In the far north, we’re thrilled to report that three of our expeditions have reached the summit of Denali— huge congratulations to all climbers! Two more teams remain on the […]

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