American Alpine Institute

09/03/2026

Vandals destroyed several restrooms in Oregon State Parks. The Trump Administration is trying to give away a piece of Yosemite. And a 91-year-old just became the oldest person to complete the Appalachian Trail.

Read about this and a whole lot more in this week's climbing, skiing, mountain rescue and outdoor news round-up:

--AAI's office and retail shop will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.

09/03/2026

AAI's office and retail shop will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.

09/02/2026

🧗‍♀️ RED ROCK CANYON, NEVADA — WORLD-CLASS DESERT CLIMBING AWAITS 🏜️

Just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip lies one of the best sandstone climbing destinations in the country. Towering red and orange walls, endless multi-pitch routes, and near-perfect weather most of the year — Red Rock Canyon is a bucket-list destination for climbers of every level.

With American Alpine Institute, you'll climb it right. Our certified guides know these canyons inside and out — from beginner-friendly single-pitch outings to committing multi-pitch desert tower routes.

✅ Programs for first-timers through experienced climbers
✅ Small guide-to-climber ratios for personalized instruction
✅ Learn real skills: movement, rope systems, anchors, and route-finding
✅ All technical gear provided

Whether you're planning a Vegas trip around climbing or looking to level up your multi-pitch skills in a stunning desert setting, we'll get you on the rock safely and having fun.

📍 Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
🗓️ Programs available year-round (fall–spring is prime season!)

👉 Ready to climb? Link in bio to book your Red Rock adventure with American Alpine Institute.

08/31/2026

How strong is that snow anchor anyway?

08/28/2026

Climbing is better with friends.

Sure, rope soloing exists. And sometimes, it’s exactly what you need. But there’s something pretty special about standing at an anchor with your best climbing partner, swapping stories, sharing snacks, and realizing you’re both completely exhausted and having the time of your lives.

Mountaineering and rock climbing have a way of building friendships quickly. You learn to communicate, trust each other, laugh when things go sideways, and celebrate the small wins together. You spend long days moving through beautiful places, one pitch, ridge, or glacier at a time.

Because the best part of climbing isn’t always the summit or the send.

Sometimes, it’s the people you get there with. 🧗‍♀️🧗‍♂️

08/27/2026

A rockfall incident blocked a large section of Zion National Park. Wild horses are being rounded up for slaughter. And a thru-hiker just crushed the PCT record. Read about this and a whole lot more in this week's climbing, skiing, mountain rescue and outdoor news roundup!

--The price of a program on Denali's West Buttress will go up on September 1 by several hundred dollars. Book before the 1st to get the best possible rate!

08/26/2026

What makes American Alpine Institute one of the best alpine climbing schools in the world?

It starts with experience. For more than 50 years, AAI has been teaching climbers how to move safely and confidently through the mountains. But experience alone isn’t enough. Our guides are teachers first, and our programs are designed to build real skills—not simply get you to the top.

From your first alpine climb to advanced objectives in Alaska, we offer a progression that helps climbers develop strong fundamentals, sound judgment, technical skills, and the confidence to make good decisions in complex environments.

Our guides bring decades of experience in rock, ice, glacier travel, ski mountaineering, and expedition climbing. AAI is also AMGA accredited, reflecting our commitment to professional guiding and education.

Whether you’re learning to climb or preparing for Denali, we believe the goal isn’t just to climb more mountains. It’s to become a better, more capable mountaineer.

Learn More:

www.alpineinstitute.com

08/25/2026

Prusik vs. Klemheist vs. Autoblock: What’s the Difference? 🧗

They’re all friction hitches, but they each have their strengths.

🔹 Prusik: Grips well in both directions. Great for ascending ropes and many rescue applications.

🔹 Klemheist: Grips primarily in one direction and releases relatively easily when unloaded. A solid choice when you need directional holding power.

🔹 Autoblock: Compact and easy to tend, making it a popular choice as a backup when rappelling or belaying.

Knowing which hitch to use, when to use it, and how to tie it correctly is a key part of building your mountain skills. We cover all of this and more in our mountaineering courses!

Which one do you reach for most often?

08/20/2026

Apparently there are flock cameras in Yosemite. Rocky Mountain National Park is sticking to reservations and timed entries. And the bulldozers building roads and border walls in Big Bend National Park have stopped...for now.

Read about this and a whole lot more in this week's climbing, skiing, mountain rescue and outdoor news round-up.

--AAI's Director, Jason D. Martin, wrote an article for Cascadia Daily News on How to Stay Safe When Adventuring Alone.

08/18/2026

Our Winter 2026/2027 Course dates are available for registration!

Check out our AIARE Avalanche programs, Backcountry Ski programs, and our new Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Leadership series!

If you are going to want to explore the mountains in the winter, we have courses that will prepare you for any adventure!