Alaska Range Alpine Climbing Trips
Come experience some of America's best alpine climbing in the wilds of Denali National Park. We are offering two incredible trips this year under the shadow of Denali, North America's tallest peak (20,320')
Rock and Snow Climbing in Little Switzerland: June 2008
Little Switzerland is a gorgeous little glacial cirque located southwest of Mt Foraker in Denali National Park. The area sits on the edge of the vast Kahiltna glacier and offers an outstanding opportunity to climb multi-pitch rock and snow routes in an stellar alpine mountain setting underneath Mt Foraker and Denali.
This expedition is comprised of a series of rock climbs and is designed for the mountaineer interested in advancing their alpine rock skills, while taking on the new challenges of traveling on a glacier. After setting up camp and getting organized ,we plan to take advantage of the numerous peaks in the range. Climbs may be on such peaks as 'The Troll', 'The Throne', 'The Munchkin', 'Royal Tower' or 'Crown Jewel'. This expedition also has the advantage of maintaining a base camp a short distance from our objectives. Approach time to the climbs can range from only 10 minutes to 1 hour.
Rock and Ice Climbing in the Ruth Gorge: May 2008
Experienced rock and ice climbers can find incredible challenges in the Ruth Gorge. Also within the National Park, the Gorge offers longer and often more challenging objectives than Little Switzerland. Ruth Gorge climbs such as 'Ham and Eggs', the "Moose's Tooth' or the 'Japanese Couloir' are tops on most alpinists hit lists; Our guides can take you there!
This option would cater to more seasoned ice and alpine climbers. If you have some experience on water ice climbing and glaciated terrain, this may be the trip of your dreams! How about 18 pitches of WI 2-4 ice up a beautiful, natural passageway on the Moose's Tooth? Maybe 'Ham and Eggs' is for you!
Give us a call today!
YOU WILL BE CLIMBING WITH UIAGM and AMGA CERTIFIED ALPINE GUIDES ONLY
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and meet in Anchorage in the evening
Day 2: Depart in the early afternoon with Denali Overland, for a three-hour van ride onto the small town of Talkeetna. We will stay the night in one of the many charming hostel-style accomodations in Talkeetna- maybe even sample the famous West Rib cheeseburgers
Day 3: Fly onto the glacier with Talkeetna Air Taxi. This is a spectacular experience in itself! Depending on where we are headed, to Little Switzerland or the Ruth, this flight takes about a half hour. This day's departure is extremely weather dependent, but when the weather is good, we will fly. These guys are the best pilots in AK
Day 4-8: Getting organized and oriented onto glacier living. Depending on the group's experience, time here will be spent learning or refreshing crevasse rescue procedures and brushing up on climbing skills. Once we are established, we will attempt our climbing objectives, as we evaluate the conditions.
Day 9: Depart the glacier and back to Talkeetna. Depending on time, we may travel to Anchorage that evening or choose to stay the night in Talkeetna.
Day 10: Travel Day
trip Fees:
Cost per person:
*price will depend on the objectives and exact location of the trip; Nearly all expenses are included.
$4,500-5,100 (1:1 client to guide ratio)
$3,000-3,500 (2:1 client to guide ratio)
Program Cost Inclusions
- UIAGM or AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
- Airfare to and from the glacier with Talkeetna Air Taxi
- Travel to and from Anchorage with Denali Overland
- 5 guided and instructional days
- Group climbing gear and meals on glacier
Program Cost Exclusions
- Airfare to and from Anchorage
- Meals and accommodations in towns
Why go with us?
- IFMGA certified guide. Our guides have completed courses in rock, alpine, and ski mountaineering guiding. Because we are trained to an international standard we utilize the safest and most current guiding techniques. Because of our high level of training we our some of only a handful of Americans who can legally guide in Europe.
- -Low client to guide ratios. We climb and ski at ratios lower than most guide services to minimize risk and increase chances of successful climbs and ski tours.
- -Skiing day in Zermatt. Most companies arrive in Zermatt and leave for the Haute Route tour the following day. Our skiing day in Zermatt will allow our bodies some time to acclimate to the European mountain air and will help insure that everyone is up to the skiing demands of the Haute Route tour.
- -You will know who your guide will be on the tour. We can tell you who you will be skiing with when you sign up for the trip.
