Stories: Press
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.
Episode 02: Esteban ‘Topo’ Mena: From Climbing 8,000m Peaks to Relearning to Walk
In Episode 2 of the Duffel Shuffle Podcast, Adrian sit’s down with Ecuadorian Mountain Guide, and Black Diamond athlete, Topo Mena. Topo talks about his start in climbing, his mentor Iván Vallejo, and a recent accident paragliding. After Topo’s accident, he’s been forced to adjust his perspective on life, and the love he has for the mountains.
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Everest North Side: A Climbers’ Guide
After four years of COVID closures, the north side of Everest is finally open this season to foreign expeditions. Among the limited number of teams granted a climbing permit is Alpenglow Expeditions, led by American climber and skier Adrian Ballinger, who couldn’t be happier to be back on what he considers the safest side of Everest by far.
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China reopens Mount Everest access to foreigners
For the first time since the pandemic, China is allowing foreign climbers to access Mount Everest via Tibet. Adrian Ballinger, who has summited Everest eight times, is one of the Western guides who prefers the Tibet route to the top of the world’s tallest mountain (from the north), as opposed to the more well-known Nepal route (from the south). This year, he will lead a group of climbers through his company, Alpenglow Expeditions.
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Episode 01: Emily Harrington – America’s Best Mountain Athlete?
In this episode of The Duffel Shuffle, we’re joined by the remarkable Emily Harrington, renowned rock climber, mountaineer, skier, and all-around mountain athlete. The conversation delves deep into Emily’s mindset, exploring the physical and mental training required to tackle challenges both on and off the mountain. She candidly discusses her refusal to choose just one sport and instead become a weapon in rock climbing, skiing, and mountaineering.
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How to Climb Mt. Everest Sustainably and Ethically
KQED talks to Adrian Ballinger about what draws hundreds of climbers to attempt to summit Mt. Everest every year, how to climb ethically and sustainably as ever more visitors descend on the mountain and what it feels like to be on top of the tallest peak in the world.
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Experts stress importance of preparation in case of an avalanche
“Avalanches are a reality, so carrying avalanche safety equipment and educating yourself on how to use that equipment is a really good idea,” said Talbott.
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5 Things You Can Expect From Your First Avalanche Course
“the [avalanche] course lived up to my expectations, not only teaching me the nitty gritty of how and what to look for to stay safe, but showing me a very different perspective on avalanche safety than I’d had before.
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‘Death zone’ queues feared on Everest as Nepal grants record climbing permits
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What it’s like to climb up and ski down Makalu, the world’s 5th-highest mountain
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