It's Bachelor Weekend!

Talkeetna kicks off WinterFest tonight, starting with the Motorized Parade of Lights, the Taste of Talkeetna, and all sorts of other stuff. Peter Mulvey is playing a concert out at Whole Wheat Radio starting at 8pm (you can listen online!). The Su-Valley Hockey team has two home games this weekend!

Saturday is packed with events!!
It starts with the Oly and Lena ski race - which is a hoot!! Teams of an "Oly" and a "Lena" (or at least dressed the part) have to tell an "Oly and Lena" joke then relay around the 5k groomed trail. Good joke tellers get extra points!

The Talkeetna Bachelors Society will greet the passengers arriving on the Northbound train at noon, hoping for single ladies. Those single ladies are invited to participate in the Wilderness Woman Competition, with great prizes for the top 5 finishers - which will be awarded at the world-famous Bachelor Auction & Ball! That begins at 7pm, with the crowd-pleasing band Rick Shaw and the Transporters jamming funky dance tunes from 11 pm until it's time to go eat Breakfast at the Roadhouse! The Roadhouse opens at Midnight on this special night for those hungry revelers. Of course, there will be another band at the Fairview into the wee hours and the merriment will be all over town, with too many activities to list here.
The Bachelor Auction & Ball raises money for charity! If you can't make it, you can learn more & donate to the cause on their website.

Check out these websites: Bachelors, Chamber, Roadhouse, Denali Arts Council, hey, and while you're surfing, check out the AMS website. Thinking about going climbing this spring? Or maybe taking a Mountaineering Course next summer? Check out our programs, our complete 2010 schedule, then send us an email or give us a call if you're interested. Let us know if we should save you a spot, things are filling rather quickly this year. You don't want to miss out!


2010 AMS Availability Report:

Denali, West Buttress, 2010 Availability:
April 27-May 17: 3 spaces
May 3- 23: FULL
May 10-30: FULL (waitlist)
May 17-June 6: FULL (waitlist)
May 24-June 13: FULL
May 31-June 20: FULL
June 7-June 27: FULL
June 14-July 4: 1 space
June 21-July 11: 1 space
Custom Dates Filling Fast!
All Dates Filling Fast!

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: 12 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: 7 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: 9 spaces
June 4-9: 9 spaces
There are sessions in July, August & September.

Alaska Range Mountaineering Courses, 12 days, 2010 Availability
April 18-29: 7 spaces
May 14-25: 8 spaces
June 11-22: 8 spaces
There are sessions in July, August & September.

Things change quickly! If you are uncertain of your schedule but you are interested, stay in touch with us: info@climbalaska.org or 907-733-1016. Leave us a message if we don't answer, we've been out shoveling snow quite a bit lately.

Happy December!
~Julia

Friday Update - Complete Details

Greetings! Another Expedition Full!

Denali, West Buttress, 2010 Availability:
April 27-May 17: 5 spaces
May 3- 23: FULL
May 10-30: FULL (waitlist)
May 17-June 6: FULL (waitlist)
May 24-June 13: FULL
May 31-June 20: 1 space*
June 7-June 27: 1 space - pending
June 14-July 4: 1 space
June 21-July 11: 1 space
Custom Dates Filling Fast!
All Dates Filling Fast!
*Special small group, 4 climbers, 2 guides,$6900 per person

Aconcagua, Normal Route, 2010 Availability:
February 8-26, 2010: 6 spaces
Argentina is calling you!

Kahiltna Dome Expedition/Denali Prep Course, 2010 Availability:
June 3-12: 7 spaces
Custom Dates Available

Denali, West Rib, 2010 Availability:
May 29-June 18: 4 spaces. Contact AMS for details!
Custom Dates Available

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

Other 2010 offerings:
Mountaineering Courses - all dates have availability
Wilderness Hikes & Treks - all dates have availability
Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Workshops - all dates have availability
Wilderness First Responder Courses & Re-certifications - all dates have availability, but the 9-day WFR Course is filling quickly!
Click here for the 2010 Schedule and prices.

Many Custom options are still available. Thinking about Ham & Eggs? The Trolls? Give us a call or send us an email. We're in the office from 10 am to 5pm Monday - Friday, this time of year.

We're enjoying the snow here!
Cheers,
~Julia


The Trolls

Changes to Update

Greetings from dark and chilly Talkeetna! The thermometer has hovered around Zero F all day. Another fantastic sunset!











3:30 p.m.













4:30 p.m.



There were some small changes today - here is the official standing:

Denali, West Buttress, 2010 Availability:
April 27-May 17: 5 spaces
May 3- 23: 1 space
May 10-30: FULL (waitlist)
May 17-June 6: FULL (waitlist)
May 24-June 13: FULL
May 31-June 20: 1 space*
June 7-June 27: 1 space - pending
June 14-July 4: 1 space
June 21-July 11: 1 space
Custom Dates Filling Fast!
All Dates Filling Fast!
*Special small group, 4 climbers, 2 guides,$6900 per person

Enjoy!
~Julia

Quick Update Before the Weekend

Hello All,
Just wanted to post a quick update for the weekend.

Denali, West Buttress, 2010 Availability:
April 27-May 17: 5 spaces
May 3- 23: 1 space - pending
May 10-30: FULL (waitlist)
May 17-June 6: FULL (waitlist)
May 24-June 13: FULL
May 31-June 20: 2 spaces*
June 7-June 27: 1 space - pending
June 14-July 4: 1 space
June 21-July 11: 1 space
Custom Dates Filling Fast!
All Dates Filling Fast!
*Special small group, 4 climbers, 2 guides,$6900 per person

We're getting action on Wilderness First Responder Courses, too! If you have a group of people who need to take the WFR or WFR Recertification/Challenge, please contact us soon to insure your spots for March.

Check in with us on Monday for details if your favorite date is full or nearly full.
Have a great weekend!
~Julia

2009 Operation Denali: National Geographic's Best Adventure

Marc Hoffmeister, team leader of Operation Denali, was recently awarded Adventurer of the Year. This expedition had unique challenges with 4 of the 6 team members severely injured from the Iraq war. For example, Jon Kuniholm, who lost his arm to an IED, carried two extra prosthetic arms in case one broke. Matt Nyman, who lost his leg in a helicopter crash, hauled extra prosthetic legs in his sled. These guys prepared by taking an AMS mountaineering course in 2008 and made an inspiring video everyone should watch. Be warned, there are some graphic parts.

AMS took the responsibility of this expedition to heart and assigned senior Denali guide, Kirby Senden, plus two assistants, Todd Tumolo and Matt Montavon. Denali is hard for everyone; no one has ever said, "It was easy." And the mountain doesn't make concessions, period. That makes the success of this expedition that much more meaningful. Their story will be covered in National Geographic's Adventure magazine's Dec/Jan print edition and I urge you to vote for it in the Reader's Choice award.

Marc was also honored with the Alaska Governor's Veterans Advocacy Award, awarded to him on Wednesday, Veterans' Day.

Colby Coombs

Schedule Availiblity Update

There has been lots happening here at AMS HQ

Don't forget the Oosik Ski Race this Saturday March 20th in Talkeetna. The Ski Trails are in excellent condition.

We wish you well!

2010 AMS Current Availability Report:

Wilderness First Responder Course
March 6-14: FULL

WFR Re-certification
March 20-22: FULL
March 27-29: FULL

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

12 day Mountaineering Courses
April 18 -29: 2 spaces available
May 14-25: 7 spaces available
June 11-22: 3 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: 6 spaces available
June 4-9: 6 spaces available
July 5-10: 9 spaces available
August 2-7: 7 spaces available
September 13-18: 9 spaces available

Advanced Mountaineering Courses
May 2-13: 1 space available
June 23-July4: 4 spaces available

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

As always, you can find tons of information about us and all the forms you need on our website: www.climbalaska.org

Cheers,
Caitlin

Feb 15 Updates

AMS Climber on Peak 11,300' Ruth Glacier Alaska Range, AMS custom climb.

Julia is away for a few weeks so our dear old friend and the past AMS Admissions manager, Frannie and I are steering the ship at the AMS HQ.

The sun keeps shinning here in Talkeetna and the temperature is creeping up, it was 35 F today. Spring is coming slowly but surely.

The skiing is excellent and the groomers are working hard on the nordic ski trails on the frozen lakes, rivers, and through the birch and spruce forest. Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 20th and come on up to Talkeetna's 25 & 50 K Oosik Nordic Classical Ski Race, super fun for all!

The AMS office is accepting applications and confirming custom climbs for this spring, there will be lots of fun in the Alaska Range this year.

Feel free to contact us if you want to sign up or get a quote for a custom climb.

2010 AMS Current Availability Report:

Wilderness First Responder Course
March 6-14: FULL

WFR Re-certification
March 20-22: 5 spaces available
March 27-29: 9 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: 3 spaces available
June 7-June 27: FULL
June 14-July 4: FULL
June 21-July 11: FULL (waitlist)
July 4- July 24: 5 spaces available

Denali, West Rib
May 29-June 18: 3 spaces available

Denali, Upper West Rib
June 5-June 25: 4 spaces available

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

6 day Mountaineering Courses
All dates have space availability, April - September

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

Kahiltna Dome/ Denali Prep Course
June 3-12: 6 spaces available

Custom Programs: space is currently available

Please contact us if you have any questions about our programs, we look forward to being with you in the Alaska Range.

Our office is on Winter Hours, Monday-Friday: 10 am to 5 pm, Alaska Standard Time (4 hours earlier than Eastern Standard Time).

Office phone: 907-733-1016
Office Fax: 907-733-1362,
Email: info@climbalaska.org


Cheers,
Caitlin

Moonlight Skiing

It is a Wolf Moon, how do locals celebrate? Some stay up late and howl, Denali Nordic Ski club is celebrating by skiing 25K tonight. They are practicing for the Oosik Ski Race, which is scheduled for March 20, here in (near) Talkeetna, it's 25 & 50K.

We're howling about enrollments here, the Wilderness First Responder 70-hour Course is nearly full! If you have been procrastinating, get that registration form to us ASAP! We usually have a waiting list, and occasionally some last-minute cancellations.

There is still some room on the WFR Challenge/Recertification sessions, but this is no reason to procrastinate; send in your registration form today! They usually fill quickly, in a burst of speed. We'll keep the waiting list going for you who do decide to put it off. Do you need to be certified for work? Your employer may even help you pay for it.

It's not too late to sign up for March or April Programs:
8 day Mountaineering Course, March 13-20 ("Spring Break Special" contact AMS for details)
Glacier Travel & Crevasse Rescue Workshop, April 10 & 11
6 day Mountaineering Course, April 16-21
12 day Mountaineering Course, April 18-29
Denali West Buttress, April 27-May 17

Here is the full run-down...
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)

July 4-July 24: 4 places Available

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: 5 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: 6 spaces available
There are also sessions in July and August.

Alaska Range Mountaineering Courses, 6 days, 2010 Availability
April 16-21: 7 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: 6 spaces
June 11-22: 7 spaces
The sessions in July, August & September have availability.

Alaska Range Advanced Mountaineering Courses, 12 days, 2010 Availability
May 2-13: 3 spaces
June 23-July 4: 4 spaces

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.

Have a good weekend!
~Julia

P.S. Spammers, don't bother leaving comments, we are watching you.