Through working at West Highland College I get to share my 24 years of mountain leading experience with potential new leaders. I am directing a Summer Mountain Leader training course for six degree level students this week. It's an intense course with six days of training and 60 hours contact time. We cover all aspects of leading groups in British mountains such as leadership styles and skills, navigation, group management in hazardous terrain, water hazards, emergency rope work and improvised mountain rescue.

These students studying Adventure Tourism Management are the leaders, guides and coaches of the future. When I was their age I thought I knew everything about leading groups in the hills! I was wrong and I have learned (and continue to learn) a huge amount since. Sharing my mountain guiding experience from many places in the world will hopefully help steer these guys into a career as mountain leaders with a solid starting point.

Calling all Upper West Rib climbers!

We have 2 spaces available on our Denali West Rib expedition. Please note that our dates for this expedition have recently shifted by four days. The new dates are June 3-23, 2014.

The West Rib is an incredible aesthetic climb and ascends a direct line on the upper south face of Denali.




Grade III, the Upper West Rib is technically harder than the popular West Buttress route. The route has a lot of mixed terrain and exposure and requires significant fortitude and stamina.

Confessions of a Reality-Show Survival Guide

This winter marks AMS' second season providing Field Safety Operations and Remote Camp Logistics for the popular BBC/National Geographic Series "Life Below Zero". Traveling to remote locations throughout Alaska, often above the arctic circle, the film crew follows the lives of bush Alaskans living a subsistence lifestyle, off the grid. We have enjoyed working this talented crew and the show's producers. 

Senior AMS guide and staffing manager Rob Gowler recently got interviewed by the magazine "Popular Mechanics" about what it is like working behind the scenes for reality TV shows.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/survival/stories/confessions-of-a-reality-show-survival-guide-16014560

Expedition Availability

It is a beautiful day in Talkeetna. We have clear skies and sunshine! A great change from the last few weeks.

Work continues on the flood damage to the daylight basement of the AMS Mountain Store but it is coming along nicely and we look forward to our renovation.  Here at the main AMS office we are all recovered from the water in our crawlspace and we have some new residents...two cockatiels and a turtle, (flood refugees) they are chattering and splashing in the background.

We are busy working on the 2013 season. It is time to book your 2013 Expedition with AMS, another great climbing season is ahead.

Aconcagua

January 13-31   4 spaces available, Guided by Tom Torkleson

19 Days, $5500, 6 climbers: 2 guides

Denali, West Buttress

May 10 - May 30     2 spaces available, Guided by Larry Holmgren
May 13 - June 2       5 spaces available
May 20 - June 9       5 spaces available
May 25 - June 14     6 spaces available

May 27 - June 16     6 spaces available, Guided by Mark Postle

June 3 - June 23       4 spaces available, Guided by Todd Passey
June 10 - June 30     2 spaces available, Guided by Mike Hamill
June 14 - July 4        6 spaces available
June 17 - July 7        5 spaces available
June 23 - July 13      6 spaces available
June 27 - July 17      3 spaces available, Guided by Rob Gowler

21 Days, $6800, 6 climbers: 2-3 guides

Denali, Upper West Rib

June 7 - June 27   3 spaces available
21 Days, $7900, 4 climbers: 2 guides

Forker, Sultana Ridge

May 17 - June 2 1 space available   
17 Days, $6800, 4 climbers: 2guides

The Webcam does not lie...it's beautiful out today!

Expedition Availability

"From my initial email which I sent from Everest Base Camp after my expedition was cancelled.  I was very impressed.  Everyone was very helpful and efficient.  The guides were very knowledgeable and I'll definitely be back.  Thank you for such a fun trip", Lucy 2014 



AMS does have spaces for private expedtions for 2015 as well.  Launch dates for small teams (4 for fewer climbers) are available between May 26 and June 8th.

Larger groups should contact AMS directly and we can work it out!

Denali, West Buttress,21 days, $7400, 6 climbers:  2-3 guides.   

April 27 – May 17,   5 places available, lead guide: Nate Opp

May 4 - May 24,         6 places available, lead guide: Larry Holmgren

May 8 - May 28,         5 places available, lead guide: Dustin English

May 11 - May 31,     3 places available, lead guide: Todd Passey

May 15 - June 4,       3 places available, lead guide: Noah Ronczkowski

May 18 - June 7,         4 places available, lead guide:  Dan Corn

May 25 –June 14,       6 places available, lead guide: Todd Tumolo
May 26 - June 19,     FULL: Bruce's custom climb, lead guide: TBA

May 29 - June 18,        4 places available, lead guide: Alex Stroud

June 1 - June 21,        6 places available, lead guide: Mark Postle

June 9 - June 29,          3 places available, lead guide: Josh Hoeschen

June 12 - July 2,        0 places available, FULL: lead guide: Mike Hamill

June 15 - July 7,           6 places available, lead guide: Beth Cleary

June 23 - July 13,         6 places available, lead guide: TBA

June 24 – July 14,        6 places available, lead guide: Melis Coady

June 25 - July 15,       3 places available, lead guide: Rob Gowler

Denali, Upper West Rib, 21 days, $8400, 4 climbers: 2 guides

June 3-23, 4 spots available

Foraker, Sultana Ridge, 21 days, $ 8400, 4 climbers: 2 guides

May 6 - 26, 4 spots available

Case Study in Hope

This is a great article about Holly Crabtree, a combat wounded veteran on an AMS rafting trip down the Susitna River this summer.  We've been working with the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge group for several summers are honored and  privileged to do so. I think we learn as much from them as they do from us.


http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/oct/07/namaino1-navy-corpsman-who-was-shot-in-the-head-is-ar-524610/

Holly and Vic Thibeault (Yeti) on the river.

Avalanche Safety Training

The Alaska Avalanche School has just announced its winter schedule:
www.alaskaavalanche.com
For anyone planning to play in the snow this winter - we recommend their programs.
Play safe!
~Blogger Julia