Stories: Rapid Ascent
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 43: Mt. Elbrus – Vodka and Altitude
Episode 3 of the Seven Summits Series takes us to the tallest point in Europe, Mount Elbrus. With first ascents on each of the two summits both occurring in the 1800’s, Elbrus’ history is both lengthy and, at times, entertaining.
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American Becomes First to Ski Down Everest’s Most Challenging Route
On October 15, 2025, Jim Morrison made history by becoming the first to ski down Mt. Everest’s hardest line.
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Episode 41: Aconcagua, The Roof of the Americas
The Duffel Shuffle podcast is kicking off a 7-Episode series, covering all things seven summits. Adrian and Sam start with Aconcagua, the tallest mountain outside of the Himalaya, and the tallest peak in South America. Aconcagua, which was first climbed in 1897, sees approximately, 3,000-4,000 attempts annually, with a success rate of roughly 30-40%.
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When Everything Feels Crazy, Go Climb a Volcano
It feels like the volume of life keeps turning up. News headlines, work demands, social media, and the constant ping of notifications all compete for attention. The result? A mind that feels full but rarely fulfilled.
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Lhakpa Ri: Your First Step Into the Himalaya
For anyone who’s thought about climbing Everest someday, the north side of Tibet holds a lot of curiosity. The road to base camp, the feel of the mountain, the exposure to altitude — it’s all part of the Everest experience. But there’s another peak, standing right next door, that gives you that same exposure without the full Everest commitment: Lhakpa Ri.
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Why Our Aconcagua Rapid Ascent Costs More
If you’ve been looking at Aconcagua expeditions lately, you’ve probably noticed prices across the board are higher than they used to be. Ours included. For 2025/2026, our Rapid Ascent of Aconcagua is priced at $16,450. Here’s a transparent look at why — and what you get for that investment.
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Climbing Everest with Us: What Sets Our Expeditions Apart
Our Everest approach is built on decades of experience guiding in the Himalaya and on a commitment to making every step safer, healthier, and more rewarding. Here’s how we do it differently.
Read the storyCotopaxi Rapid Ascent™ – High Altitude in Just Five Days
Thanks to our Rapid Ascent™ system, climbers can attempt Cotopaxi in just five days—making it possible to step into big-mountain terrain without taking weeks away from home.
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Why It Matters to Have an IFMGA-Certified Guide on Aconcagua
Climbing Aconcagua—at 6,962 meters (22,841 feet)—isn’t just about physical strength. It’s about making the right calls in a high-consequence environment where weather, terrain, and altitude can change the game in a matter of hours. The guide you choose directly impacts your safety, your efficiency, and your experience.
That’s where an IFMGA-certified guide makes all the difference.
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Everest North Side 2025: A Season of Patience, Precision, and Perfect Timing
This spring, our Alpenglow Expeditions team returned to the North Side of Mount Everest with a small crew and a big plan. After months of preparation, pre-acclimatization, and weather watching, our Everest expedition 2025 culminated in an incredibly rare summit day—blue skies, no wind, and a quiet mountain.
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