Spring recap, continued…
Mountain Trip Guide Kaylee Walden (@kay.leewalden ) took advantage of a last-minute opportunity to guide heli-skiing in Alaska with @alaskaheliskiing . Our roots are in the big snowy mountains of the Last Frontier, and we’re always excited when one of our ranks decides to head north in search of snow. It looks like she found it!
From our home in the San Juan Mountains of Telluride, Silverton, and Ouray, to the spines and glaciers of Alaska, our ski and splitboard guides are true, dyed-in-the-wool powder-hounds who are always out there looking for the best time on two planks ⛷️ (or one 🏂).
If you haven’t skied with Kaylee yet, what are you waiting for?! Come shred with her in Colorado or Alaska.
#backcountryskiing #deeppowder #alaskaskiing #heliskiing #telluridecolorado
The Ouray Via Ferrata is now open for the season! Climb high on the walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge in Ouray this summer with one of our safe and friendly guides. Trips depart daily, with private and open trips available. All equipment and instruction is included. We’re looking forward to seeing you in the Canyon!
#ourayviaferrata #ouraycolorado #telluridecolorado @ourayviaferrata@ourayicepark@visitourayco
Spring recap, continued:
Suzanna Lourie (@suzanna.lourie ) and John Collis (@westernclimbingguides ) also had a productive trip to Chamonix, climbing routes like the Modica-Noury on Mont Blanc du Tacul and the Perroux-Profit on the Aiguille du Midi (right underneath the summit station bridge!)
Notably, they also climbed the North Face of Les Grands Charmoz, a long and committing route that takes a plumb line up one the dark north faces of the Mont Blanc massif.
Bravo Suzanna and John!!
#mountainguide #alpineclimbing #chamonixmontblanc🇫🇷 #climbthealps #mountaineering
Spring Guide Feature: Ashley Klassen
After a busy winter of splitboard guiding around Telluride and Silverton, Mountain Trip Guide Ashley Klassen (@a.klassyone ) spent her April riding the glaciers and peaks of the Pacific Northwest. Snowboarding Mt. Baker and completing the Forbidden Traverse were some of the highlights. She was joined for part of the journey by Mountain Trip guides Chris Lile (@lile.chris ) and Stephen Inman.
Washington has some of the most remote wilderness in the lower 48, filled with glacier-covered mountains and deep rain forest valleys in between. The Cascades require a determined attitude for the approaches and well-rounded mountain skills to navigate the glaciers guarding the summits.
Shout out to Ashley, Chris, and Stephen! 👊
Spring adventures recap, continued!
Guides Carly Casternovia (@_carly_jane ) and Jesse Yon (@jesse_m_yon ) ventured up the historic Frendo Spur, which splits the North Face of the Aiguille du Midi. First climbed in 1944, this line is clearly visible from the town of Chamonix in the valley below, and it’s one of the most aesthetic lines around.
With a mix of steep snow, rock, ice, and often a bivouac high on the route, it demands all of the skills of a well-rounded alpinist. The grade clocks in around 5.9 AI3 M4-, and it’s about 4,000 feet tall!
#alpineclimbing #mountaineering #chamonix #guidesdayoff #mountaintrip
This April, Mountain Trip guide Spencer Purvis (@therealunclebigbear22 ) guided Ham and Eggs, one of our favorite alpine routes in the Alaska Range. This route features mixed terrain to enter the couloir, followed by ice steps and steep snow in between.
A lean snowpack in the Alaska Range this spring meant that the route had more ice than normal. The weather in Alaska was challenging this April, but Spence and his guest found a good day to attempt the route in between storms. They took a ski plane into base camp on the Root Canal Glacier at the base of the route, making access relatively easy by Alaskan standards.
Bravo, Spence!
#mountainguide #alpineclimbing #mixedclimbing #alaskaclimbing #mountaineering
Each spring we send one or two groups into the Alaska Range for a base camp ski expedition. The hope is always to ski deep powder on the wild faces of the big Alaskan mountains while enjoying time with good people on a remote glacier.
There aren’t too many ski experiences like this left in the world. Trips where you feel like you are far removed from everything and everyone else—off the grid for a week with just you and your crew and your skis and snowboards.
Thanks to all our participants and guides (@aarondiamond13 and @joe.climbing.guide ) this year. We’ll be back in April 2027!
#mountainguide #skiexpedition #alaskarange #skimountaineering #backcountryskiing
More Mountain Trip guides ventured to Chamonix this April, where Suzanna Lourie (@suzanna.lourie ) and John Collis (@westernclimbingguides ) joined up with Jesse and Carly. The whole team took a lap on the Pellissier Gully (WI3+ M4), easily climbed in a day from the Aiguille du Midi cable car.
#mountainguide #alpineclimbing #bigmountains #iceclimbing #mixedclimbing
Initial reports from our Alaska Range ski camp are in! Powder skiing, good times, and great views all around.
Thanks to our guides, Aaron Diamond (@aarondiamond13 ) and Joe Kinner (@joe.climbing.guide ), for a fun and safe trip. Let’s do it again next year!
#mountainguide #backcountryskiing #alaskarange #skimountaineering
Every spring, our guides take off for adventures around the globe. We’re looking forward to featuring some of their achievements here.
After a long winter guiding ice and mixed climbing in the San Juan Mountains, guides Carly Casternovia (@_carly_jane ) and Jesse Yon (@jesse_m_yon ) headed to Chamonix, France.
Among their accomplishments was Pinocchio (WI5, M6-, 450m/1450’). This highly technical route climbs Mont Blanc du Tacul, one of the classic arenas of alpine mixed climbing. It is located about one hour away from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, but is better climbed with an early start from the nearby Cosmiques Refuge.
The route climbs cracks, thin ice, and névé (firm snow) through a corner system high above the Glacier du Géant.
#mountainguide #alpineclimbing #mountaineering #iceclimbing #mixedclimbing
