Guided Alaska Mountaineering

Big mountains across the last frontier

Alaska is packed with adventure mountaineering minus the crowds and rarely a guidebook description. I'm offering everything that is rarely climbed, from steep mountains in the Western Chugach that require technical climbing to multi-day trips to the Alaskan Arctic. Contact me if you're interested and we'll discuss the options. 

Mountaineering Options

Western Chugach Mountains. The mountains in Chugach State Park between Anchorage, Girdwood and Eagle River are big, pointy and have awesome mountaineering challenges. I'd suggest any peak that has a technical component, meaning that a rope may be necessary. Also fun are traverses from one trailhead to another, or loops combining a number of summits. Some suggestions:

  • Bold Peak 7,522'
  • Mount Yukla 7,535'
  • Polar Bear Peak 6,613'
  • Bashful Peak 8,005'

Neacola Mountains, Aleutian Range. These are my favorite mountain Alaska. Traverses from one airstrip to another is a great summer option. 

Brooks Range. Let's climb some peaks in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. See my post from our 2009 climb of Mount Chamberlin and float out to Kaktovik. Here are some other suggestions.

  • Tugak Peak 8,500'
  • Isto Peak 8,975'
  • Michelson Peak 8,855'
  • Mount Chamberlin 9,020'
  • Mount Doonerak 7,457' (Gates of the Arctic National Park)

Chigmit Mountains. Endless volcano options. See post from our ascent of Mount Iliamna. Some suggestions:

  • Iliamna Vocano 10,016
  • Mount Redoubt 11,197'
  • Katmai Volcanoes/Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes

Kenai Mountains. Beautiful mountains close to Anchorage. Suggestions:

  • Byron Peak  4th class ridge climbing
  • Mount Ascension 5,710'. Bike the Lost Lake trail with a summit climb along the way. You must be fit!

Skill Level

  • Intermediate to advanced mountaineering skills
  • Endurance for a big day(s) in the mountains

Season

June - September

Includes

  • Guide (3:1 max for non-technical, 2:1 max for technical)
  • Technical climbing gear (rope & rack)
  • Cooking gear for overnights
  • Navigation, first aid and repair kits
  • Emergency communication

Does Not Include

  • Travel to Anchorage & trailhead
  • Food
  • Personal gear. See Mountaineering Gear List.
  • Available for rent: backpack, tent, ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet

Cost

  • 1 customer: $400 per day
  • 2 customers: $275 per person per day
  • 3+ customers: $200 per person per day
  • Plus plus transportation and food expenses. 

Note: A 50% deposit is required to reserve the date. Payment in full required one month before start of trip. See booking details. 

On the Raven Glacier at 5 AM after an alpine start from Girdwood in the Western Chugach Mountains. 

 

Heading back to high camp after summiting Mount Chamberlin (9,020') the highest mountain in the Alaskan arctic. 

 

On the summit of Mount Bona in the Saint Elias Mountains.  

 

James Kesterson high on Iliamna Volcano (10,016') in the Chigmit Mountains of the Aleutian Range.