Category: Blog

by Eric Murphy  Our ongoing and very successful ($37,000 +) Kilimanjaro Covid-19 Hunger Relief Fundraiser has just completed the 2nd food distributions for all 310 crew and staff. Members from our Tanzanian partner company Big Expeditions handled all aspects of whole purchase and transport of over 12,000 lbs of rice, corn and sugar. Arusha crew […]

Hey Alpine, I’m headed up to Denali this May (!!!!) and I heard that climbers insulate their ice axes? Interesting… What’s the rationale and how do I do it? Thanks in advance and see you in Talkeetna! Sincerely, Seeking Toasty Mitts Hi Toast Mitts, Thanks for reaching out and stoked you’re headed up to the […]

Nanda Devi, Indian Garhwal Himalaya by Gordon Janow When I heard that writer and climber Ed Douglas was publishing a book on the Himalaya, I wondered what more could possibly be written?   Any account by Douglas was clearly a must-read, but I couldn’t help but anticipate a rehashing of well-worn tomes such as John […]

It’s T-minus 88 days until our first Alaska mountaineering course flies onto the Kahiltna Glacier.  Have you figured out your insulated mitten situation yet?  If your digits run cold or want a glove that you can take on Denali, consider OR Alti Mitts.  They are built for 8,000-meter peaks and Arctic expeditions.  If Denali isn’t […]

Dear Alpine Ascents, I’m gearing up for an 8-Day Alaska Course and I see that you require double-wall four season tents. I found a single wall four-season tent that is supposed to be bomber (saw photos of it being used in the Himalaya) and it would save me 5 pounds. What gives?  Sincerely, Trying to […]

by Paul Koubek  As one of the western guides fortunate to work with the Alpine Ascents Kilimanjaro Program, when I was asked to write a blog post about any topic I wanted, the first thing that came to mind for me about my experience on Kilimanjaro was: the people! Every Alpine Ascents climb of Kilimanjaro […]

We have not been able to operate Kilimanjaro expeditions since February 2020, and during that time our friends over in Tanzania have not been far from our mind. COVID-19 has decimated the Kilimanjaro tourism industry and the income that the local people rely on to house and feed their families. In a typical year, travel […]

The signs are all there. Flakes are accumulating in the Cascades, the sun sets on Seattle at 4:18 PM, and egg nog lattes have made their inglorious return to Starbucks. Winter is coming! To kick off this most excellent of seasons, our first 8-Day Denali Prep Course is slated to snowshoe off into the very […]

by Brooke Warren  While we learn to understand the physical demands of each climb, it is important address the mental aspects as well.  Here are some things you can do to quell any fear or trepidation you may have about embarking towards a summit. Six Ways to Manage your Anxiety (when climbing a mountain): Train […]

by Jonathon Spitzer  Backcountry skiing and splitboarding encompasses a broad spectrum of ski endeavors, from off-piste riding out of a resort to ski day touring to overnight ski expeditions. I adjust my kit based on the type of skiing I’m doing, the same way you would when doing a day of top rope climbing versus […]