Our Team

All of the exceptional work that Alaska Mountaineering School accomplishes is due to our hardworking and caring instructors, guides, and office staff. Our focus and dedication toward Denali and the surrounding wilderness resonates in everything we do. The success of any expedition into the Alaska Range relies heavily upon attention to detail, and the strength and quality of our team comes from decades of dedication and experience.

“Our guides were clearly among the most respected on the mountain.” —Nicholas Dumesnil


Expert Guides

AMS guides are chosen on the basis of their experience level as climbers and educators. They are true professionals, with extensive training in backcountry emergency medicine, avalanche safety and rescue, and land stewardship. All guides undergo formal training with AMS. Equally important, they understand the leadership and group dynamics, which make expeditions successful, rewarding, and fun. Guides model expert decision-making and judgment calls in order to reach a group and individual’s goals and needs. AMS guides demonstrate superior knowledge and competency in all mountain skill areas, but above all they are amiable, approachable, and understand the importance of effective leadership.

“They’re embarrassingly rich in the one thing that makes a true mountain guide: boots-on-the-ground wilderness experience.” —Anchorage Press, 2015


Emeritus Guides

AMS recognizes the contributions of outstanding guides it has had over the years. While these people are semi-retired from AMS’ Alaska Range programs, they occasionally return to AMS to teach and guide for special occasions. They have been integral to AMS, and our team would not be complete without them.


Support Team

Because you need more than outstanding guides…