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The experience of climbing Ama Dablam, considered by many to be the most beautiful mountain on the planet, is as visually spectacular as it is physically challenging. From the trek through the lush Khumbu Valley all the way to the icy summit, climbers travel through distinct ecological zones.

After traveling from Kathmandu, the trek begins in Namche Bazaar. Over the course of 2 days, the team works their way through tea houses and beautiful meadows capped by stunning peaks as they travel up the Khumbu Valley towards Ama Dablam’s Base Camp.

Once the climbers reach base camp, the climbing demands…

This year on Everest is unique for Alpenglow Expeditions and we’re leading four different teams up the tallest mountain in the world. Each team has a different goal, and ultimately a different style in their approach. For clarity moving forward we’ve named these team as follows:

Alpenglow’s Sherpa Team and a few of our guides prior to the puja ceremony at Advanced Base Camp.

The Rapid Ascent team on their way to base camp

Rapid Ascent Team
The Rapid Ascent team consists of 5 members, Caroline, Rob, Jim, Christina, and Kara. These strong climbers are…

“Just another roadside view across the Tibetan Plateau. Mellow. @ladzinski on the drone with @erichroepke@estebantopomena @roam en route to Everest.”

When @coryrichards in on your team, you can count on seeing some gorgeous photos and videos of the expedition!

Thousands of pounds of duffle bags packed and ready to go!

On Saturday, the Alpenglow #Everest2019 team loaded thousands of pounds of gear in trucks and began a 300+ mile procession across the Tibetan Plateau towards Everest Base Camp. Over the course of 3 days, they are traveling from Lhasa to Tingri, the last stop before base camp.…

Carla Perez is the first South American woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen. Worldwide, in the entire history of climbing Everest, only seven women have ever accomplished this feat. Carla is currently en route to Everest, traveling from Quito, Ecuador all the way to Everest Base Camp in Tibet. She and Chad Peele will be guiding our main team, Everest Rapid Ascent, this spring. We caught up with her for an interview and she gave us the scoop on her upcoming adventures.

The last light of the day on the top of the world, Mount Everest

Q:…

En route to Wahoo Gullies in the Bishop zone. Buttermilk road ends and the trek continues along the dirt road until you hit the snow.

On Tuesday, the Department of Water Resources measured the Sierra Nevada snowpack at 161% of average, the fourth best reading in 40 years. This is good news as it relates to California’s water supply, but before that snowpack melts out, we plan to ski it!

Skiing in April and May is our reward for enduring winter’s heavy storms. When…

Dave Nettle’s signature grin

Professional mountain guides are integral to educating mountain travelers and safely leading adventures into the mountain ranges of the world. We sat down with veteran ski guide Dave Nettle to ask him a few questions about the value in hiring a professional mountain guide in the context of backcountry skiing. 

-What are the benefits of hiring a mountain guide for backcountry skiing or riding?

When anyone goes into the backcountry the first considerations are usually, “where do I go and where are the best and safest conditions?” A guide dials in these…

Happy Everest Season! Adrian Ballinger and our teams are wrapping up logistics before they leave for Tibet in less than two weeks. We asked Adrian all about his final preparations. We wanted to know what’s exciting and what’s nerve-wracking this season.

Q: Adrian, what do the last couple of weeks before Everest entail for you?

A: Mostly the last few weeks are just logistical stress! We’re trying to make all the moving parts come together and that’s everything from Chinese visas and permits, to all the equipment and food we need…

A family that plays together, stays together. At least that’s the way it is for this group of four. David and his three kids are in Ecuador setting their sights on Cotopaxi during this family expedition.

Summit of Rucu Pinchincha with Tikka the dog!

They began like we always do at Alpenglow, with a climb of Rucu Pinchincha rising high above Quito. Lead guide Jaime Avila reported that they all moved super fast, ascending to the 15,696′ summit in 2:10. Even the dogs in Ecuador are pretty darn acclimatized, Jaime’s dog Tikka joined in on the climb and…

The beautiful Mojanda volcanic lakes in the foothills of Fuya Fuya

On Tuesday our Ecuador Climbing School arrived in Ortavalo to begin their expedition. This season’s team is led by Ignacio Espinosa, more affectionately known by our team as “Nacho.” A local Ecuadorian, Nacho is an IFMGA guide and has been guiding in the Ecuadorian Andes and the Cordillera Blanca range of the Peruvian Andes for the last 15 years. When he isn’t out in the mountains, Nacho plays in a local punk band.

Topping out Fuya Fuya, our first acclimatization…

We caught up with local Squaw legend, Glen Poulsen, to ask him about his favorite spots to ski guide in Lake Tahoe.

Glen leading a group in Nat Geo Bowl last spring. The couloir he took the group through can only be skied during big snow seasons.

Q: Hey Glen, what is your background? What drew you towards ski guiding?

Glen: My parents were ski pioneers in the area, backcountry skiing in Squaw Valley in the 1930s. I have been a skier based in Squaw Valley since the age of 2. I was competing from age 4…

Photo: Logan Talbott. Morning alpenglow in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru. Halfway up the mighty fluted face of Alpamayo.

Q: What’s it like to climb in the Cordillera Blanca? Describe the variety of terrain and range of skill level of the climbs.

Logan: Imagine walking along a small footpath winding through a huge green valley, with crystal clear water flowing down the middle and wildflowers here and there. Above you and surrounding you are immense, towering snow-capped peaks that rise almost 10,000 feet above. This is the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. The stunning scenery is among the most…

Pro-skier & ski-mountaineer Caroline Gleich joins Alpenglow Expeditions for a day of backcountry skiing in Squaw Valley’s renowned “Nat Geo Bowl.” Join us!

$235
Book online by clicking here or please call the office to reserve your spot: 1-877-873-5376

Level: Advanced (experienced backcountry skiers/riders only)

About Caroline Gleich: Caroline Gleich is a professional ski mountaineer and adventurer based in Salt Lake City, UT. When she’s not on snow, she loves trail running, alpine climbing, ridge scrambling, biking and dreaming about her next human-powered adventure. In October, Caroline successfully climbed and skied Cho Oyu. You may have…