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Detailed Description PDF »Equipment List PDF »
The Mountain Guide Course is designed for individuals who wish to pursue a career in guiding or teaching at AMS or for another mountain guiding organization. This 12 day course provides an excellent opportunity to learn how to guide clients on Alaskan expeditions and how to teach a mountaineering progression to students. The course accomplishes this goal in a challenging and remote glaciated environment. Alaska's mountains are uncompromising and they present unique demands to the mountaineer. This course provides a good platform to launch a career in big mountain guiding. For those wanting to work at AMS, the Guide's course allows us to spend time with you in the field which is the most valuable resume one could provide a potential employer.
Deposit: $250 (Balance Due: 60 days prior to the starting date.)
Group Limit: 6 students, 2 AMS Instructors
Tuition Includes: Instruction, glacier flight, food and fuel, group camping equipment, group climbing equipment, camping at AMS in Talkeetna.
You are responsible for: Transportation to and from Talkeetna, lodging in Talkeetna, National Park Service Entrance Fee ($10), travelers' cancellation insurance, personal equipment and clothing.
Mountaineering courses fly into Denali National Park and Preserve, home to America's biggest and wildest mountains. A few days prior to the start date instructors will choose the specific mountain region and glacier for the course. They look for pristine wilderness and good quality climbing routes suitable for teaching our mountaineering progression. The exact location will depend on current snow and landing conditions. All of the potential locations with their variety of terrain, beauty, and isolation are challenging and demand respect. The routes are classic for a mountaineering expedition in Alaska. Expect to be on snow for the duration of the course and be prepared to encounter all types of weather and conditions. Alaska is full of surprises!
The Mountain Guide Course begins with a review of the basic curriculum for any Alaska mountaineering expedition: how to route find safely on glaciers with a group and how to rescue each other and self rescue in the event of a crevasse fall. Simultaneously, we will be practicing glacier camping while living in probed, wanded, and wall-protected areas. Course progression continues with the application of these skills to real scenarios and many of their unexpected situations. Course routes strike a balance between base camping and moving camp to experience a variety of terrain. Technical and non-technical peak ascents provide opportunities to review specific hazard management techniques such as fixing lines and running protection. Guiding protocols and techniques unique to Alaska are discussed and practiced. Instructors provide written evaluations at the end of the course.
AMS provides all of the food for this course; however, we ask that you bring one pound of your favorite lunch food. This will be used to supplement what we have for you and to ensure that you have your preferred snack foods.
Every course varies in route, group dynamics, and environmental conditions. Working with these variables, instructors strive for the following goals for each student.
AMS teaches mountaineering skills that promote the health and safety of all expedition members. Each graduate is expected to:
Students are exposed to theory and practice of outdoor leadership, teamwork and expedition behavior. Each graduate is expected to:
An important part of every course is to teach and practice Leave-No-Trace camping and traveling techniques. Each graduate is expected to:
AMS courses focus on teaching and practicing efficient and responsible backcountry skills.
Each graduate is expected to:
The course goal is to advance all students' climbing ability and make them well-rounded mountaineers. Each graduate is expected to: