WFR's, Courses and Expeditions are Filling. Don't Delay, Call Today!

If you need to take a full Wilderness First Responder Course...we have only one spot left. If you need to renew, hurry, as few spaces remain.

Here is the current availability for Expeditions, Courses and Workshops in 2011:

Aconcagua Expeditions
January 10 - 28: (FULL)
February 10 - 28: (FULL)

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

Denali - Upper West Rib
May 21 - June 10: 2 spaces available

Denali - West Buttress Expeditions
April 25 - May 15
May 2 - 22
May 9 - 29
May 16 - June 5: (FULL)
May 23 - June 12: (FULL)
May 30 - June 19: (FULL)
June 6 - 26
June 13 - July 3
June 20 - July 12: (FULL)

June 27 - July 17

Advanced Mountaineering Course
May 6 - 17

Denali Prep Course/Kahiltna Dome
June 5-14

12 Day Mountaineering Courses

6 Day Mountaineering Courses

7 Day Wilderness Backpacking Courses
4 Day Wilderness Backpacking Courses

Denali Photo Workshop
August 22-27

Wilderness First Responder Courses
WFR 70-Hour Course
March 5-13, One Space Left!
WFR 3-day Recert
March 19-21
March 26-28

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

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
We're in the office Monday-Friday, 10 am - 5 pm Alaska Time.

Let is snow!
~blogger Laura

CWVC Kilimajaro Update

AMS Guide Colby Coombs phoned in last night.  It was their morning and they had begun their summit day attempt.  This is the steepest and by far the most demanding part of this climb.  They were feeling strong and Master Chief Will Wilson was leading the pack for their start out of camp.  It was planned to be a very, very long day as it is for each and every climber of Kilimanjaro.

Colby said "Here we are just looking out over Africa.  There is a thin cloud layer below us and it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day to be on Kilimanjaro."

Upon return from this long day, they will stay at high camp another night and then begin their descent.

All Best,
Caitlin

AMS upgrades washing station.

A lot goes into making an expedition successful. At AMS we like to improve on the areas in our control. Hygiene is imperative as lack of it is the number one cause of illness for the entire group on any expedition. One of our winter projects this year was to install a commercial dishwasher. We have a 3 basin sink in order to wash, rinse, and disinfect all our cook gear. The new dishwasher has a rinse cycle of 180 degrees F which insures everything coming out of the field is as clean as possible for the next expedition. AMS is committed to always improving in order to be at the top of our game.

Kilimajaro Rongai Route Photo

Here is a photo of our CWVC team's route, they are following the red line, click on photo to view as a larger image!

Kilimanjaro Update

AMS Guide Colby Coombs called in last night (their morning) as he and the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge Team were on their way to high camp.  It will be a long day of about 6 hours on the trail.

He said that yesterday they all made it in good time to camp 3 and he called it an easy day to get there.  In the mountains its nice to have some short easy days that nearly feel like a rest day while you are still making upward progress.

We are super proud of this team and are anxiously awaiting the next report.

We will keep you posted!

All Best,
Caitlin

With rain hammering on the van, the wind blowing waterfalls back uphill and a couple of flashes of lightening, we were not keen to get going this morning. But after half an hour of swithering we finally got out and got going. It rained for half an hour more but it was then mostly dry for the rest of the day and the wind was not so bad most of the time. Donald and I went up to Church Door Buttress with Al, Bob, Rich and Bram - Donald, Rich and Bram climbed Crypt Route while Al, Bob and I climbed Flake Route.

It cooled down during the day but the snow was still wet and mushy. When it freezes it will make some fantastic ice. Donald emerged from Crypt Route as we got to The Arch and the final chimney which was well iced and good fun. It was a proper Scottish day with rain then freezing conditions, spindrift, squalls, soft snow, good ice, frozen ropes and good company. Fantastic!

Expedition and Course Availability

It is a cold and clear day in Talkeetna today but the Alaska Range got a dump of snow in the last couple of days...getting it all ready for the climbing season!

Denali, West Buttress

May 6 - May 26     4 spaces available, guide TBA, special ratio: 4 climbers: 2 guides $7900, 21 days

All below climbs will have 6 climbers: 2-3 guides, $6800, 21 days
May 10 - May 30    2 spaces available, guided by Larry Holmgren
May 13 - June 2      4 spaces available, guided by Todd Tumolo
May 20 - June 9      3 spaces available, guided by Nate Opp
May 25 - June 14    3 spaces available, guided by Nick D'Alessio
May 27 - June 16    2 spaces available, guided by Mark Postle
June 3 - June 23      FULL, guided by Todd Passey (wait list available)
June 10 - June 30    FULL, guided by Mike Hamill (wait list available)
June 14 - July 4       4 spaces available, guided by Mike Janes
June 17 - July 7       3 spaces available. guided by Josh Hoeschen
June 23 - July 13     6 spaces available, guided by Joey McBrayer
June 27 - July 17     FULL, guided by Rob Gowler (wait list available)

Denali, Upper West Rib - 21 Days, $7900, 4 climbers: 2 guides 
May 3 - 23, 3 spaces available 
June 7 - June 27,    FULL 

Foraker, Sultana Ridge, Guided by Melis Coady
May 17 - June 2,   FULL  
17 Days, $6800, 4 climbers: 2 guides

MOUNTAINEERING COURSES

Denali Prep Course
9 students, 2-3 instructors, $3100
June 2 -11

Twelve Day Mountaineering
 9 students, 2-3 instructors, $2950

April 22 - May 3, 8 spaces left
May 7 -18, 6 spaces left
June 4 - 15, 8 spaces left
July 9 - 20, 9 spaces left
August 3 -14, 6 spaces left
September 1-12, 9 spaces left

Fifteen Day Mountaineering
  ~A new course that combines flying into and hiking out of the Alaska Range!
 9 students, 2-3 instructors, $3300
July 9 - 23, 8 spaces left
 
Six Day Mountaineering
9 students, 2-3 instructors, $2150
April 28 - May 3
May 14 - 19
June 18 -23
July 21 -26
August 18 -23
September 2 -7

Advanced Mountaineering  ~We only take six students on this course and it does fill up!
 6 students, 2 instructors, $3500
May 1 - 12

Mountain Guides Course ~ A great step to help launch your guiding career.

We offer this course only every few years and this is the year!
Up to 6 students: 2 instructors, $3500