Todd Burleson

Todd Burleson

President and Founder

Director and founder of Alpine Ascents International, Todd has achieved unparalleled success as a business leader and in the mountain guiding industry; as one of the world’s leading mountaineers. Todd spent most of his childhood in Alaska where his prowess and love for mountaineering was developed. In his twenty years of guiding, he has led 8 expeditions to Mt. Everest, and has guided successful expeditions on every continent including all of the Seven Summits numerous times. In addition to being a long time instructor Todd has lead expeditions worldwide including climbs in Mongolia, Alaska and on Rainier, including a number of first ascents in the arctic region of Greenland. Todd joins many of our expeditions in a support role, overseeing logistics, climber development and ensuring a good time is had by all. He currently lives in Alaska where he is raising yaks, fishing, flying and forever climbing great peaks around the world.  In 1998 Todd was awarded the American Alpine Club’s prestigious David J. Sowles award for his rescue efforts on Mt. Everest in 1996. Todd also takes an active role in developing environmental policies for mountaineering, setting standards for the mountain guiding industry, working with the National Park Service and overseeing the Alpine Ascents Sherpa Education Fund.

30-year

 

Significant Ascents

  • Everest (2 guided)
  • Island Peak (2 guided)
  • Mera Peak (2 guided)
  • Aconcagua (2 guided)
  • Greenland Peaks (3 guided)
  • Ama Dablam (1 guided)
  • Elbrus (5 guided)
  • Carstensz Pryramid (1 guided)
  • Peaks of Bolivia (1 guided)
  • Denali (3 guided)
  • Vinson (5 guided)
  • Mt. Baker (3 personal, 10 guided)
  • Rainier (5 guided)
  • Cotopaxi (2 guided)
  • Orizaba (1 guided)
  • Iztaccihuatl (1 guided)
  • Mongolia (2 guided)
  • Kilimanjaro (6 guided)

Certifications

  • Wilderness First Responder and CPR certified
  • Leave No Trace Trainer

ALPINE ASCENTS BLOG

  • Cascades Conditions Report 5/13/2026

    Greetings Fellow Climbers, The Cascades climbing season is now fully underway, and overall climbing conditions across Washington remain quite good for mid-May. Over the past two weeks, our teams have been active on Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and throughout the Cascades, with guides reporting generally favorable travel conditions, strong route coverage on the upper mountains, […]

  • Cascades Conditions report 5/6/2026

    Rainer is in Full Swing! This past week has been a gorgeous one here in the PNW with ample sunny skies across the region. Our guides have been calling in great conditions from all around the state, with lots of people climbing and skiing off the tops of the peak in the Cascades.  As a […]

  • The Cascade Climbing Season Kicks Off this week!

    Here we go! We’ve begun the summer season and our teams are already in the field. Our first Mount Rainier climb reached the summit on April 28, and our first mountaineering course on Mount Baker also successfully summited yesterday. It’s a strong start to the season. While there has been considerable discussion around a low […]

Partners & Accreditations

Alpine Ascents International is an authorized mountain guide service of Denali National Park and Preserve and Mount Rainier National Park.
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