Highest quality wilderness education and experience possible that protects the user and the environment
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"Turn left at Nagley's General Store onto D St..."
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See the AMS Reading List Shop the Online BOOKSTORE
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 Alaska Mountaineering School
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Alaskan based courses and expeditions start in Talkeetna, a small historic town 118 miles north of Anchorage on the George Park's Highway. Perhaps best known for its proximity to Denali (Mt. McKinley), Talkeetna possesses a rich history on mountaineering and the bush pilots who fly climbers into the Alaska Range. The town of 800 residents is located at the confluence of the mighty Susitna, Chulitna, and Talkeetna rivers which makes fishing a popular local activity. . AMS headquarters is located at the end of Third Street. From Main Street in downtown Talkeetna, go south on D Street and turn left on Third Street. AMS is the last building on the left. If you are driving, you are welcome to leave your car here.
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Arrival/Meeting Time
Expeditions meet at 8:00 a.m., and courses meet at 9:00 a.m. on the first day, at AMS headquarters. Many participants arrive one day before their course or expedition starting date. Please be on time as there is a lot to do the first day. The morning will be spent checking and issuing your equipment and having an orientation. After lunch at AMS, everyone changes into their mountain clothes, packs the van, and drives a short distance to the air taxi for the remarkable flight into the mountains. Expedition members also pack their lunches and receive a briefing from NPS. Should conditions not be immediately flyable, training classes and further orientation with slides and videos are held at AMS' office or indoor climbing gym.
Departure
We will do our best to ensure that your course ends on schedule, however,
please be prepared for possible weather delays. We recommend allowing
two extra days on the return end of your travel plans (or purchasing flexible
airline tickets) in the event that weather conditions prevent flying out
of the mountains on schedule. Upon returning to Talkeetna you’ll
also want to allow time to enjoy a night out for dinner with your course
mates.
Logistics
Most students fly into Anchorage International Airport and then travel
to Talkeetna by van shuttle. For information on flights to Alaska and
travel within Alaska, call Karey Larson at Talkeetna Travel, 907-733-8728,
888-567-8728, or www.talkeetnatravel.com. Van shuttles offer daily service
from Anchorage, prices range from $55 one way to $100 roundtrip. Travel
time between Anchorage & Talkeetna via van shuttle is about 3 hours.
Be sure to make your shuttle reservations before booking your flight to
Anchorage to ensure that you’ll be able to arrive in Talkeetna on
time.
Karey Larson at Talkeetna Travel
907-733-8728
www.talkeetnatravel.com
Van shuttles offer daily service from Anchorage, prices range from $41
one way to $100+ roundtrip.
Talkeetna Shuttle Service
888-288-6008
email: tshuttle@alaska.net
Locally owned & operated. Most popular with AMS participants.
Denali Overland Transportation
800-651-5221
www.denalioverland.com
Locally owned and operated.
Parks Highway Express
888-600-6001
www.alaskashuttle.com
Only drop off at the Parks Highway and Talkeetna Spur Road junction.
The Park Connection
888-208-0200
www.alaskaone.com/connect/
Only drop off at the Parks Highway and Talkeetna Spur Road junction.
Taking the train to Talkeetna is also a fun option. During the summer, one passenger train a day leaves Anchorage in the early morning on its way to Fairbanks and passes through Talkeetna around 11:00 a.m. Make reservations a few weeks in advance. For information or reservations, call 800-544-0552. A shuttle at the Talkeetna train station can bring you the ¼ mile to town.
Anchorage
Lodging
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city with a population of 260,000
and is nestled against the Chugach Mountains. Bed and Breakfasts are generally
more pleasant and less expensive than hotels in Anchorage. Earth Bed and
Breakfast is a popular choice among climbers and AMS participants.
Earth Bed and Breakfast
907-279-9907
www.earthbb.com
Anchorage Guesthouse
907-274-0408
www.akhouse.com
Bed and Breakfast on the Park
907-277-0878
Copper Whale Inn
907-258-7999
www.copperwhale.com
Hotel Captain Cook
907-276-6000
www.captaincook.com
The Captain Cook is the oldest and most prestigious hotel in Anchorage.
Talkeetna
Lodging
Most participants stay at Chinook Winds Cabins or the Talkeetna Roadhouse. You are welcome to stay at the AMS camp ground before or
after your course free of charge. We have tents on covered decks, but no running water. Showers are available the Trading Post three blocks away.
Chinook Wind Cabins
800-643-1899
www.chinookwindcabins.com
New cabins are located right next door to AMS.
Talkeetna Roadhouse
907-733-1351
www.talkeetnaroadhouse.com
Discounts for students, famous breakfasts & bakery
Talkeetna Hostel International
907-733-4678 www.talkeetnahostel.com
Rooms and bunks with internet and full kitchen.
Enter Alaska Guesthouse
907-733-2111
www.enteralaska.net
Large new house with rooms, full kitchen, and bath.
The Talkeetna Motel
907-733-2323
email: TalkeetnaMotel@netscape.net
Comfortable rooms and friendly service.
Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
907-733-9500
www.talkeetnalodge.com
The only large-scale hotel, ¾ mile from downtown.
Travel Insurance
AMS recommends that you purchase travel and tuition
cancellation insurance
immediately after paying your deposit. AMS is not
responsible for costs
associated with canceled enrollment, courses that
cancel for reasons beyond
our control, and evacuations from courses. This
special insurance may cover
costs if you are unable to join the expedition or
course due to personal
emergency, personal or family medical reasons or if
a course is cancelled
for reasons beyond our control. Check with your
travel or insurance agent
for policy options.
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No portion of the text or images on this page may be reproduced
without the express written consent of AMS. Website: Anya Zolotusky