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Stories

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.

Climbers on a suspension bridge on the Tahoe Via Ferrata during the summer

2025 Local’s Day on the Tahoe Via

Our tour will take place on the Tahoe Via Ferrata on Sunday September 28, 2025. This is a chance for Lake Tahoe locals to climb the Tahoe Via Ferrata with professional Alpenglow Expeditions rock climbing guides.
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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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Learn Backcountry Skiing, Splitboarding, and avalanche refresher education in Lake Tahoe with professional ski guides.

Wall Street Journal: The Tiny Western Town That’s Quietly Become the Coolest Place to Ski

Once a frontier town for loggers and cowboys, Truckee, near Lake Tahoe, has quickly grown into a hub of winter adventure—not to mention hip coffee shops and new restaurants.
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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.
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The summit of Cotopaxi volcano shrouded in clouds and mist during a guided Cotopaxi Expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions.

Cotopaxi 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 Late Summer into Fall Is the Best Time to Climb in Tahoe

Climb Tahoe this fall—Via Ferrata, Donner Summit, and Lover’s Leap with expert guides and great conditions.
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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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Climbing overlooking Donner Lake

Climbing Season is here: Why Donner Summit is the Best Place to Learn With Us

Learn to climb this season at Donner Summit with world-class guides. Cool granite, stunning views, and beginner-friendly routes make late summer and fall the perfect time to start
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Moving through Sylvester's Slot on the Tahoe Via Ferrata

Pushing Limits on the Tahoe Via Ferrata

Discover the Tahoe Via Ferrata—Tahoe’s most rewarding climbing experience. Push past your limits, enjoy stunning granite views, and climb with zero prior experience alongside expert guides.
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Skiers ascend a glacier through crevassed terrain under dark, cloudy skies.

One Itinerary, Two Styles: Climb or Ski Ecuador’s Big Volcanoes

With Alpenglow Expeditions, you can do either—on the same 16-day itinerary. The Ecuador Climbing School and the Ring of Fire Ski Expedition both summit Cayambe (18,996’ / 5,790m), Chimborazo (20,564’ / 6,268m), and either Cotopaxi or Antisana, depending on mountain conditions.
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Trails That Changed Me: Why I Keep Coming Back to the Backcountry

Experience backpacking in Yosemite through a guide’s story—how the backcountry inspires, teaches skills, and creates unforgettable moments.
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The Vertical Gateway: How the Tahoe Via Ferrata Is Changing the Way Families and First-Timers Experience Real Rock

What if your first real outdoor climb wasn’t a sketchy scramble or a ropes course at summer camp—but a guided vertical adventure up a massive granite face, hundreds of feet above the ground, with views stretching across Lake Tahoe?
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Skiing Through Prehistory: Why the Ring of Fire Feels Primordial

There’s something surreal about skiing on an active volcano. Steam rising from vents, snow underfoot, and dense jungle at the trailhead. It feels otherworldly. But there’s a reason these places feel so ancient: they are.
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