March Madness

Sunny & beautiful by day, cold at night! It must be spring... and race season!

~The Iditarod winner crossed the finish line in Nome this morning, setting a new record.

~Saturday, March 19th is the Oosik Classic Ski Race! Last year 250 people descended upon Talkeetna to ski the 50k and 25k runs then celebrate like crazy. This year is predicted to be no different. The groomers have been working hard on that trail all winter.

~The next round of WFRs will be here on the 19th! There are still a few spaces left on that session - call the AMS office to register.

Here is the current availability for our 2011 programs:

Wilderness First Responder Courses
WFR 3-day Recert
March 19-21: 3 spaces available
March 26-28: (Full - waiting list available)

Denali - Upper West Rib
May 21 - June 10: 1 space available

Denali - West Buttress Expeditions
April 25 - May 15: 2 spaces available
May 2 - 22: 3 spaces available
May 16 - June 5: (FULL)
May 22 - June 11: 2 spaces available
May 23 - June 12: (FULL)
May 30 - June 19: (FULL)
June 6 - 26: (FULL)
June 13 - July 3: (FULL)
June 20 - July 12: (FULL)

June 27 - July 17: 2 spaces available

Foraker - Sultana Expedition
April 27 - May 13: (FULL)

Advanced Mountaineering Course
May 6 - 17: 2 spaces available

Denali Prep Course/Kahiltna Dome
June 5-14: available

12 Day Mountaineering Courses

May 8-19: available
June 12-23: available
July 20-31: available
August 14-25: available
September 1-12: available

6 Day Mountaineering Courses
May 26-31: available
June 17-22: available
July 8-13: available
August 1-6: available
September 4-9: available

Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Workshops
April 9-10: 3 spaces available
July 16-17: available
August 20-21: available

7 Day Wilderness Backpacking Courses

June 30-July 6: available
July 23-29: available
August 12-19: available

4 Day Wilderness Backpacking Courses

July 8-11: available
August 1-4: available

Denali Photography Workshop, 6 days
August 22-27: available

Aconcagua Expeditions
Nov./December TBA, 2011
January TBA, 2012
February TBA, 2012

Custom Expeditions
A limited number of dates are still available for Denali for 2011, contact AMS for details.
Custom Climbs
Many other custom options are available - all over the Alaska Range!
Custom Courses
Many custom dates and locations available for 2011.

Just have a day or two? or three? Check out our Glacier Treks!

Here is the full schedule for more options.
Call or email AMS if you have any questions!
907-733-1016
info@climbalaska.org
Our office is on Spring Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9 am - 6 pm Alaska Time.
In mid-April we'll be on our Summer Schedule: open 7 days each week, 8 am to 6 pm.

~blogger Julia

Happy March! Ice & Rock Events in AK!

It's feeling really "springy" here!

Coming up soon:
Alaska Ice Fest - March 5-7, Anchorage & Hunter Creek, AK
HOWL Rock Climbing Competition - March 6, Homer, AK
Oosik Classic Ski Race - March 20, Talkeetna, AK


2010 AMS Current Availability Report:

Wilderness First Responder Course
March 6-14: FULL

WFR Re-certification
March 20-22: FULL
March 27-29: 4 spaces available

Denali, West Buttress
April 27-May 17: 2 spaces available
May 3- 23: 1 space available
May 10-30: FULL (waitlist)
May 17-June 6: FULL (waitlist)
May 24-June 13: FULL (waitlist)
May 31-June 20: FULL (waitlist)
June 2- June 22: 2 spaces available
June 7-June 27: FULL
June 14-July 4: FULL
June 21-July 11: FULL (waitlist)
July 4- July 24: 4 spaces available

12 day Mountaineering Courses
April 18 -29: 3 spaces available
May 14-25: 5 spaces available
June 11-22: 6 spaces available
July 12-23: 8 spaces available
August 9-20: 8 spaces available
September 6-17: 9 spaces available

6 day Mountaineering Courses
April 16-21: 7 spaces available
June 4-9: 7 spaces available
July 5-10: 9 spaces available
August 2-7: 8 spaces available
September 13-18: 9 spaces available

Advanced Mountaineering Courses
May 2-13: FULL
June 23-July4: 4 spaces available

Kahiltna Dome/ Denali Prep Course
June 3-12: 5 spaces available

Call our office if you're wondering about a program that is not listed here.
We're now scheduling Glacier Treks and other Custom Programs!
Lots of fun to be had!
Cheers,
~Julia

Mid January

After a sunny weekend, we got a great dump of snow this morning! We're getting a beautiful sunset, but the Alaska Range is still obscured by clouds. It seems warm for us at this time of year, with 20 degrees as the constant temperature.

The Italian soloist made it up to Base Camp on Saturday, rumor has it he's thinking twice about his plan to dig snow caves for the whole expedition and is wishing he brought a tent. Never underestimate this mountain! (or overestimate yourself)
In other climbing news, the Anchorage Daily news had this feature story about climbing the West Buttress:
http://www.adn.com/3549/story/1096697.html

We had some availability changes over the weekend. Here is the latest -
2010 Denali, West Buttress Expedition Availability:
April 27- May 17: 2 places Available
May 3- 23: FULL
May 10-30: FULL (waitlist)
May 17-June 6: FULL (waitlist)
May 24-June 13: FULL (waitlist)
May 31-June 20: FULL (waitlist)
June 2 -June 22: 4 places Available
June 7-June 27: FULL (waitlist)
June 14-July 4: FULL (waitlist)
June 21-July 11: FULL (waitlist)

Denali, West Rib, 2010 Availability:
May 29-June 18: 3 spaces. Contact AMS for details, this is the famed "full" West Rib!
Custom Dates Available

Denali, Upper West Rib, 2010 Availability:
June 5-June 25: 4 spaces
Custom Dates Available

Kahiltna Dome Expedition/Denali Prep Course, 2010 Availability:
June 3-12: 6 spaces
Custom Dates Available

Wilderness First Responder Course, 2010
March 6-14: 7 spaces available

WFR Re-certifications, 2010
March 20-22: 8 spaces available
March 27-29: 10 spaces available

Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Workshops, 2010
April 10-11: 5 spaces available
There are also sessions in July and August.

Alaska Range Mountaineering Courses, 6 days, 2010 Availability
April 16-21: 8 spaces
May 7-12: 8 spaces
June 4-9: 8 spaces
The sessions in July, August & September have availability.

Alaska Range Mountaineering Courses, 12 days, 2010 Availability
April 18-29: 6 spaces
May 14-25: 7 spaces
June 11-22: 7 spaces
The sessions in July, August & September have availability.

Things change quickly! Applications show up every day. If you are uncertain of your schedule but you are interested in participating, stay in touch with us: info@climbalaska.org or 907-733-1016. Leave us a message if we don't answer, we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Hope you all enjoyed a day off. Kudos if you put in some volunteer time.
Cheers,
~Julia

Happy New Year!

We hope 2009 is treating you well!

Talkeetna weather has gone from a cold spell to a heat wave. We had temps down to -30 F. here in town to ring in the new year, now we are getting rain! Not very conducive to climbing, or anything else for that matter. Snow is predicted by tonight and NOAA tells us to expect sub zero temps to return in February and March.

We're looking forward to climbing season, no matter what the weather brings now. Expedition members are busy training for their Alaska Range adventures. We're busy in the office getting things ready for a great season. Winter office hours are 10 am to 4 pm, Monday - Friday, Alaska Time and sometimes we're here for extended hours.

The season is creeping up on us - time to sign up for Spring courses! Wilderness First Responder and Recertification workshops are still available in March, as are Mountaineering Courses in April. We still have one spot on the April West Buttress Expedition - that will go quickly! Interested in Mt. Hunter or Foraker?? Let us know ASAP!

We got a call from Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking this morning, retailers of mountaineering gear in Anchorage, about some special deals they are offering on boots - check it out! They are super helpful in making sure you get a proper fit.

"Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking is currently having a sale on La Sportiva Spantik boots for the upcoming Alaska Range season. Normally priced at $650/pair, we knocked them down to $550/pair for a limited time. Normally we would advertise on our website but due to malware problems with the server, we are unable to update at this time.
We also still stock the La Sportiva Olympus Mons as well as the Nuptse.
This spring we will also be carrying the Scarpa Phantom 8000 which would also be a great Denali boot.
We still offer a 10% discount for any non-sale items (for AMS participants)."

Thanks!
Clint

Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking
2633 Spenard Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99503
phone (907) 272-1811
fax (907) 274-6362
www.alaskamountaineering.com
email: amh@ak.net


Welcome 2009! Bring it on!

~ Cheers, Julia

Snow Falling In Talkeetna

We have low visibility and about 3" of fresh snow on the ground here in Talkeetna. Temps are very pleasant at 20 degrees above zero. Groomers have been keeping the local cross-country ski trails in great shape. A couple of people who are signed up for a Mountaineering Course made a road trip from Fairbanks to visit and check out the AMS facilities. Thanks for stopping by Dusty & Nick!

It seems quiet in town, but the climbing community has some activity with the first climbers of the year. Japanese photographer Norio Matsumoto is up in the range on his annual expedition for solitude and photography. Today an Italian climber is around town, preparing for a solo winter attempt on Denali; apparently delayed by the weather and enjoying the "Talkeetna Hang".

These are the kind of moments Norio waits for:
















Here is what's happening at AMS Headquarters. There have been shifts on the waitlists for the West Buttress, please check in with us on a regular basis to see how things look if you are waiting for a spot to open up. We do occasionally receive unexpected cancellations.

2010 Denali, West Buttress Expedition Availability:
April 27- May 17: 2 places Available
May 3- 23: FULL
May 10-30: FULL (waitlist)
May 17-June 6: FULL (waitlist)
May 24-June 13: FULL (waitlist)
May 31-June 20: FULL (waitlist)
June 2 -June 22: 4 places Available
June 7-June 27: FULL (waitlist)
June 14-July 4: FULL (waitlist)
June 21-July 11: FULL (waitlist)

Denali, West Rib, 2010 Availability:
May 29-June 18: 3 spaces. Contact AMS for details!
Custom Dates Available

Denali, Upper West Rib, 2010 Availability:
June 5-June 25: 4 spaces
Custom Dates Available

Kahiltna Dome Expedition/Denali Prep Course, 2010 Availability:
June 3-12: 6 spaces
Custom Dates Available

Wilderness First Responder Course, 2010
March 6-14: 8 spaces available

WFR Re-certifications, 2010
March 20-22: 9 spaces available
March 27-29: 11 spaces available

Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Workshops, 2010
April 10-11: 5 spaces available
There are also sessions in July and August.

Alaska Range Mountaineering Courses, 6 days, 2010 Availability
April 16-21: 8 spaces
May 7-12: 8 spaces
June 4-9: 8 spaces
The sessions in July, August & September have availability.

Alaska Range Mountaineering Courses, 12 days, 2010 Availability
April 18-29: 6 spaces
May 14-25: 7 spaces
June 11-22: 7 spaces
The sessions in July, August & September have availability.

Things change quickly! Applications show up every day. If you are uncertain of your schedule but you are interested in participating, stay in touch with us: info@climbalaska.org or 907-733-1016. Leave us a message if we don't answer, we'll be back in the office on Monday.

Cheers,
~Julia