American Alpine Institute

09/10/2026

There will be a closure on Goat Mountain's Prime Rib in Washington on Friday (9/11) and Saturday (9/12) for bolt replacement. Staff at the Department of the Interior are increasingly concerned that another major reorganization may be coming, particularly within the National Park Service. And the movie trailer about Jim Morrison's ski of the North Face of Everest is out.

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

–It’s time to start thinking about climbing in the Southwest. Book a trip to Red Rock Canyon or to Joshua Tree National Park.

09/07/2026

Never climbed before? Climbing 5.10? Looking to tackle something seriously spicy? Red Rocks has something for you. 🧗‍♀️🏜️

At American Alpine Institute, we run our complete rock climbing progression in Red Rocks, from our Outdoor Rock Intensive to Multi-Pitch Skills. That means you can come with zero outdoor climbing experience, work on fundamental movement and systems, learn to climb multi-pitch routes, or take your skills into some of Red Rocks’ classic and more challenging terrain.

Just want to climb? Book a private day with one of our guides and let us build the day around you, whether that means getting outside for your first-ever climb or chasing a big objective you’ve had on your list.

Beginner to experienced. Single pitch to multi-pitch. Skills day to big objective. There’s a Red Rocks climbing experience for you.

Come climb with us in the desert. 🏜️🧗



Never climbed before? Climbing 5.10? Looking to tackle something seriously spicy? Red Rocks has something for you. 🧗‍♀️🏜️

At American Alpine Institute, we run our complete rock climbing progression in Red Rocks, from our Outdoor Rock Intensive to Multi-Pitch Skills. That means you can come with zero outdoor climbing experience, work on fundamental movement and systems, learn to climb multi-pitch routes, or take your skills into some of Red Rocks’ classic and more challenging terrain.

Just want to climb? Book a private day with one of our guides and let us build the day around you, whether that means getting outside for your first-ever climb or chasing a big objective you’ve had on your list.

Beginner to experienced. Single pitch to multi-pitch. Skills day to big objective. There’s a Red Rocks climbing experience for you.

Come climb with us in the desert. 🏜️🧗

Never climbed before? Climbing 5.10? Looking to tackle something seriously spicy? Red Rocks has something for you. 🧗‍♀️🏜️

At American Alpine Institute, we run our complete rock climbing progression in Red Rocks, from our Outdoor Rock Intensive to Multi-Pitch Skills. That means you can come with zero outdoor climbing experience, work on fundam

09/04/2026

Sliding into the weekend like… when we practice self arrest techniques.

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