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.

Comparing Acclimatization Approaches in the Andes, Himalaya, and Pamirs: How Alpenglow Expeditions Tailors Its Programs for Success
When it comes to climbing high-altitude peaks around the world, how you acclimatize can make or break an expedition. The Andes, Himalaya, and Pamir ranges each present unique challenges based on altitude, terrain, and logistics — and acclimatizing properly to these environments requires an approach that fits the mountain, not a one-size-fits-all plan.
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Reaching New Heights: How You Can Climb Cho Oyu with the Right Preparation
On Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest peak, climbers must battle frigid temperatures, unpredictable weather, and the physiological effects of high-altitude living. Success in this environment requires not just physical preparedness but also mental resilience, specialized gear, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.
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Climbing Peak Lenin: Navigating the Challenges of the Pamirs with Alpenglow’s Rapid Ascent™
The Pamir Mountains—often called the “Roof of the World”—are one of the most remote and extreme mountain ranges on the planet. Their unpredictable weather, high altitude, and isolation make them a serious test for any climber. Our Peak Lenin Rapid Ascent™ is designed to overcome these challenges, using a combination of pre-acclimatization, expert logistics, and a highly efficient approach to maximize safety and success.
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Love in the Mountains: The Connections We Find at Altitude
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic candlelit dinners or bouquets of roses. At Alpenglow Expeditions, we’ve seen firsthand how the mountains have a unique way of connecting people—romantically, platonically, and everything in between. There’s something about stepping into the high alpine, with thin air and endless horizons, that brings people together in ways everyday life rarely does.
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Why Peak Lenin is the Perfect 7,000-Meter Peak for Aspiring High-Altitude Climbers
Climb Peak Lenin for the perfect introduction to 7,000-meter peaks. Peak Lenin is an ideal training ground for climbers aiming for 8,000-meter summits.
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Explorers Web: Rope Fixers Summit Cho Oyu
Rope-fixing teams have successfully reached the summit of Cho Oyu, opening the route for upcoming climbers. This achievement marks a key milestone for expeditions on the sixth-highest mountain in the world.
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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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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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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.
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