Stories: International
Mountain adventures create the best stories, and we want to share some of ours with you. Dive into Alpenglow Stories to stay up to date on expeditions in the field, read blogs, and get tips and tricks from guides.
Beyond the Summits: Immersive Andean Culture on the Ecuador Climbing School
Climbing Ecuador’s towering volcanoes isn’t just about the summits. The Ecuador Climbing School offers an immersive experience that goes beyond the physical challenge of ascending peaks like Cayambe, Cotopaxi, and Chimborazo. From visiting vibrant indigenous markets to tasting traditional highland cuisine, the expedition introduces climbers to the rich culture of the Andean highlands.
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Podcast Series: 7 Summits Episode 10–Everest with Adrian Ballinger & Mike Hamill Interview
Discover key facts about Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world at 29,031 feet. Learn about its growth due to tectonic activity, extreme jetstream winds, and the evolving history of summits and fatalities through January 2024.
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Field Mag: Guide Adrian Ballinger on How Expedition Travel Changed the World
Alpenglow Expeditions’ founder shares archival photos and stories about near-death experiences on Everest, basecamp snacks, and the evolution of alpine guiding.
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Travel Weekly – Report: Nepal hikes the cost to climb Mount Everest
The permit fees from climbers are an important revenue source for Nepal. The steep price increase marks the first time in about a decade that Nepal raised the cost to climb Everest.
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Outside Magazine: Nepal Is Raising the Permit Fee to Climb Mount Everest
The price of a permit to climb the world’s highest peak will rise 36 percent later this year. Guides believe that climbers will still flock to the mountain.
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Episode 19: The Business of a Professional Mountain Athlete
Sam and Adrian discuss Adrian’s trajectory as a sponsored athlete, from when he got his first support from La Sportiva in a free pair of shoes, to now where he’s supported by multiple large brands such as Black Diamond, La Sportiva, and others. Adrian shares a bit about what his job duties entail, and how he’s structured his support, with a clothing brand typically anchoring his support.
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Episode 16: How to Move Faster On Big Mountain Expeditions
Sam and Adrian follow up on their conversation started in Episode 15. After discussion high altitude climbing and acclimatization, the two dive into a conversation about pre-acclimatization using hypoxic tents, and the program that Alpenglow Expeditions has established in Rapid Ascent. The program utilizes pre-acclimatization alongside advanced trip logistics to reduce the total expedition time by 25-50%.
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Episode 15: Are You Ready to Climb to a Higher Altitude?
After discussing the three Piolets d’Or winners, and 60 finalists, Sam and Adrian jump into the complicated topic of high altitude climbing. The two share stories of their early experiences with altitude and talk about the basics of acclimatization and what a typical schedule might look at. Finally, they dive into the “aids” that are used for altitude climbing, from Diamox and Dexamethasone to Oxygen. A future episode will discuss the topic of Pre-Acclimatization using hypoxic tents, and what the Rapid Ascent system that Adrian has pioneered looks like.
Read the storyEpisode 14: So You Want To Be a Mountain Guide?
Adrian and Sam chat about what it means to be a mountain guide. From introducing the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA) to discussing the decades of guides who came before the AMGA path was the standard, this episode is a great starting point for those curious about the training and business side of the guiding industry.
Read the storyEpisode 13 with David Morton: A Life Beyond Everest
In Episode 13, Adrian and Sam sit down with David Morton. Dave is a freelance climbing and expedition guide, photographer/videographer, filmmaker, speaker-presenter, and founder of The Juniper Fund. In this episode, Dave talks about his life as a mountain guide on the worlds tallest peaks, including 10 Mt Everest Expeditions. He also shares information on his foundation, The Juniper Fund, which supports and empowers families and communities impacted by the loss of Himalayan high-altitude workers. Join us for our conversation with Dave.
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