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.
Obscure Classics in the High Sierra
One of my favorite mountain adventures is hunting the “obscure classic”: climbs that are just as good as the best in the range, but for whatever reason never got popular. Maybe they were put up recently and haven’t gained significant attention yet; maybe they’re a little out of the way and require a long approach; some routes used to have loose rock that’s been cleaned up after a few ascents, but nonetheless haven’t shaken the sub-par reputation. Sometimes, there’s no obvious reason for their obscurity – through some weird coincidence of guidebook selection and groupthink, a stone cold classic somehow slips through the fingers, avoiding classic status and living in obscurity.
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LABOR DAY SALE: 20% OFF WINTER COURSES
No frills, just deals. Between August 26 and September 2, 2024, use the code LABORDAY20 to save on: AIARE 1 (this includes AIARE 1 Hybrid, 3-Day AIARE, and Women’s AIARE 1)
AIARE Rescue
Lift-Accessed AIARE Rescue
BC 1.0 (North and South Lake)
Palisades Backcountry Tours
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A Brief History of Aconcagua
Aconcagua, standing at 22,831’/6,959m, is the highest peak in the Americas and one of the Seven Summits. Its history is rich and multifaceted, beginning with the indigenous cultures that inhabited the region long before modern mountaineers arrived. Today, it’s a popular peak forintermediate climbers to break into 7,000m, and an excellent step on the way to preparing for Mt. Everest.
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Join the Team: California Program Manager position available
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Indoor vs. Outdoor Climbing: What are the differences?
Indoor and outdoor rock climbing have several key differences, each offering unique challenges and experiences. If you’re an indoor climber looking to make the jump outside, consider hiring a guide and enrolling in one of our outdoor rock courses:
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Interview with Christian Llivicura, IFMGA-certified Mountain Guide
Christian Llivicura, 24, is originally from Cuenca, Ecuador and now lives in Quito. He began guiding in 2018 and joined Alpenglow Expeditions in 2019. Christian received his IFMGA/ASEGUIM certification in June 2024.
Alpenglow Staff Robert Kyte connected with Christian to talk about his journey toward certification.
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Updates from the Field: Alpamayo 2024
Alpamayo is truly the mountaineer’s mountain. It’s big, it’s remote, it’s technical, and it is aesthetically stunning. A massive white, fluted pyramid makes up the main portion of climbing on the peak, and the views of the Cordillera Blanca from High Camp are unmatched. Our team is currently set to go for a staggered summit push, with some team members going up tonight (July 8th) and others tomorrow (July 9th).
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Skiing Peak Lenin: Updates from the Field
It is commonly accepted that Peak Lenin is the most popular 7,000-meter peak, and for good reason: it’s beautiful, it’s tall, it’s accessible, and it’s not highly technical. Nonetheless, our Peak Lenin Rapid Ascent expedition the perfect training for bigger peaks in the 8,000m range, such as Cho Oyu and Mt. Everest.
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Peru Climbing School June 2024 Recap
Ready to take your climbing to the next level? Join us for the Peru Climbing School, where we immerse ourselves in the beautiful Cordillera Blanca to learn basic climbing and expedition skills while tackling two big peaks, Yanapaccha and Pisco.
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From Climbing Schools to the Seven Summits: Why Aconcagua is the Next Step for Intermediate Climbers
Aconcagua, standing at 22,837 feet, is an excellent progression for climbers who have completed one or more of Alpenglow’s climbing schools in Ecuador, Peru, or Mexico. Here’s why the Aconcagua Rapid Ascent Expedition makes sense:
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