David Gottlieb

    David Gottlieb

    Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

    David joined Alpine Ascents in 2016 and comes to guiding with a lifetime of mountaineering experience. He worked for eighteen seasons as a climbing ranger on Mount Rainier and has climbed the mountain countless times. He has hundreds of hours of rescue training as well as many years of hands on rescue experience. His climbing eventually brought him to the Himalayas to pursue his dreams of climbing remote mountains, culminating in four ascents of previously unclimbed 22,000 ft peaks. He is an able communicator with a wealth of knowledge and skills to share. David was raised in the Cascades of North Central Washington where he still resides today, enjoying a rural lifestyle with his lovely wife. When not guiding, David enjoys books, traveling, motorcycles and getting out to climb every chance he gets.

    5-year

    Take 5 with the Guide

    If you could only take one album on an expedition?
    A Love Supreme – John Coltrane

    Most beloved book?
    The Treasure of the Sierra Madre – B. Traven

    Favorite movie?
    Underground – Emir Kusturica

    Dream climbing partner for your dream climb?
    Mark Westman (secret objective in the Himalaya) 

    In another life, I’d…
    live in Big Sur California in the 1950s

    Guide For:

    Aconcagua
    Denali

    Significant Ascents

    Denali, Alaska (6 expeditions)
    Aconcagua, Argentina
    Mount Rainier, Washington
    Mount Baker, Washington
    Mount Shuksan, Washington
    Glacier Peak, Washington
    Mount Dickey, Alaska
    Mount Dan Beard, Alaska
    Peak 11,300, Alaska
    Manaslu
    Kang Nachugo, Nepal
    Jobo Ringjang, Nepal
    Takargo Ri, Nepal
    Pangbuk Ri, Nepal
    Kyajo Ri, Nepal

    Certifications

    Wilderness First Responder
    Avalanche Level 2
    Leave No Trace Trainer
    Rigging for Rescue
    Ropes that Rescue

    Awards and Recognition
    Mug Stumps Award 2010/2013
    Shipton Tilman Award 2010
    Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Award 2012/2013
    McNeill-Nott Award 2009/2012/2013
    Department of the Interior Valor Award 2010
    American Red Cross Wilderness Hero Award 2005 (King County, WA)

    If you want a first rate unparalleled experience, you will go with Alpine Ascents. I am biased of course, but I have had friends go to the same mountain with different services only to find themselves going back with Alpine Ascents because it just can’t be done any better

    More Testimonials

    Denali BLOG

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      by Brooke Warren Denali “The High One” is the third highest of the seven summits, right behind Everest and Aconcagua, at 20,310 feet. It is an “ultra-prominent” peak with soaring vertical relief of 18,000 feet, greater even than Mount Everest (a mere 12,000′ of vertical relief) when measured from its 2,000-foot lowlands to its lofty […]

    • dear alpine ascents: insulating ice axe handles?

      Dear Alpine Ascents: Insulating Ice Axe Handles?

      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 […]

    • Selecting Snowshoes For Expeditions

      Selecting Snowshoes for Expeditions

      If you are preparing to embark on a Denali Prep course or a Denali expedition with Alpine Ascents, you are also about to enter into the wonderful world of snowshoe travel. There are several reasons for our unilateral use of snowshoes over skis on these trips. First, the learning curve for snowshoeing is far less […]

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