Tag: pro tips

Top-10 Gear Misconceptions

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Misconceptions about climbing gear can leave you wandering in the woods. In this article, we’ll look at the top-10 most common gear-related misconceptions for those newer to mountaineering, and offer some quick comments in answer. This piece was originally published in 2017, but it’s proved so helpful that we pulled it from the archives and […]

Gear Tips: Midlayers

Chopicalqui Glacier And Rope Teams

By Marc Simonpietri You probably have more midlayers in your closet than you realize. That still-fitting fleece jacket from summer camp? It could work. A light, puffy jacket that never seems warm enough for actual cold weather? That could work too. Truth be told, midlayers are a very adaptable layer that can come in many […]

Backpacks for Mountaineering and Other Activities

Backpacks for Mountaineering and Other Activities

Hiking deep into the North Cascades. Photo by Marc Simonpietri.   Long gone are the days of heavy canvas and external frame packs with more tie-down points outside than space on the inside. While these packs were used for decades on on early ascents around the world, backpack technology has progressed at a steady clip. […]

The Decision:  When is a triple boot preferable to a double boot/overboot combo?

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Climbers nearing the summit of Vinson Massif In the world of high altitude mountaineering, your feet are an extremely valuable asset. Part of caring for this asset means selecting the boot design that will serve you best. Companies have gone to great lengths to create a variety of boot technologies and options to maximize comfort […]

Mountaineering vs. Backpacking: Small but substantial gear differences

Mountaineering Vs. Backpacking: Small But Substantial Gear Differences

Mountaineering vs. Backpacking: Small but substantial gear differences Sometimes the differences are obvious, and sometimes they are more subtle. And sometimes they only make a small difference, will others can make or break a summit attempt. Many mountaineers start their outdoor lives as hikers and backpackers, and this article is going to go through seven […]

Climbing Harnesses 101

Climbing Harnesses 101

What’s the difference between a rock climbing harness and a mountaineering harness? Why might one be better than the other? Below we’re going to dig into the primary differences, and why for anything but technical rock climbing, you should choose a mountaineering harness for your next objective. There are three primary differences between your average […]

Expedition Mindset: When “Showing Up” Means More than Physically Arriving

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The anticipation and physical preparation have been exhausting. The iron has been pumped. You have been ripping up stair sets for breakfast. Every precious ounce of your kit is honed. But have you stretched your expedition mindset? An expedition is much more than the physical climb of a single mountain. For several weeks you will […]

KNOTS AND HITCHES: THE WATER KNOT

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The following is the fifth in a series of “how-to” videos on the major knots and hitches used in the mountains. Stay tuned for more videos on knots like the bowline and ring bend, and hitches like the Klemheist and Prusik! The water knot is a simple knot used to tie two ends of webbing […]

CAMP CHEF: SUPER RAMEN

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  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 […]

Windshells 101

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Imagine climbing 5,000 vertical feet in a day during mid-summer covered in bubble wrap. Sounds hot and sweaty, right? That is essentially what it’s like trying to hike in a waterproof shell – loads of condensation and excessive heat retention. Thus, the need for a truly breathable active layer. Wind resistant, water resistant, and breathable, […]

ALPINE ASCENTS BLOG

  • Backcountry Tour Planning Webinar & Trip Planning Tools

    When conditions are prime for winter backcountry adventure, it’s easy to get caught up in the stoke and overlook essential pre-trip preparation in a rush to get on the skin track. In this webinar, guide and backcountry powder chaser, Elias Zane Holt, lays out how to plan a successful and safe trip into the mountains, […]

  • Ski Boot Fit Basics

    Spring volcano season is right around the corner and having well-fitted, comfortable boots is essential for long days on the skin track and epic descents.    We teamed up with the legendary boot whisperer, Megan Jackson, of Backcountry Essentials in Bellingham to outline the basics of boot fit.  In the video below, she discusses physical […]

  • Tahoma (Rainier) Webinar

    Towering resolutely over the Seattle skyline, cloaked in miles of glacial ice, Taquoma (əqʷuʔməʔ”) or “Mother of the Waters”, captures the imagination of all who gaze upon her massive flanks. On February 28th, senior guides Lyra Pierotti and Jonathon Spitzer, hosted a webinar about this iconic climb.   They covered trip logistics, a detailed overview of […]

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