Because it is technically sustained and an elegant line on an immense mountain, Denali's Cassin Ridge is one of the most sought after alpine routes in North America. With over 8000 feet of steep, technical climbing on the continent's flagship peak, it's easy to see why "The Cassin" is a buzzword among Alaskan veterans and big-route-aspirants alike. The thin and striking ridge rises directly to the highest point in North America. Last spring, AAI guide Andrew Wexler and his friend Ian Welsted managed to complete the route under difficult conditions and in a little weather window that was truly only partially opened. Here is their story.

Have you made your winter plans yet? Join one of our Winter Comprehensives and take one section or all three (4, 6, or 8 days). Learn water ice climbing, special skills for winter mountaineering, and backcountry skiing techniques. Improve your confidence and proficiency with technical climbing, avalanche assessment, and dealing successfully with cold weather. After the program, you should be able to climb, ski, and camp comfortably in a variety of conditions, including in the Arctic or at high altitude. The Winter Comprehensive also serves as a Denali prep course. Sign up by November 30, 2005 for a course this winter season and receive up to a $100 gift reward for free gear by mentioning this newsletter offer.

The Andes of Ecuador run as two parallel and impressive chains of peaks, rising dramatically from Pacific coastal lowlands on the west and even more abruptly from the Amazon Basin on the east. Quito is South America's second highest capital, sitting at 9,400 feet. From Quito it is possible to look up and down the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" and see most of the country's major summits. Receive a $100 gift reward for free gear if you sign up for any program below by November 30, 2005 and mention this newsletter offer.

Receive a $100 gift reward for free gear

Few things are worse than crawling into wet clothes on a multi-day trip in the backcountry. When keeping everything dry is not possible and bringing three of everything doesn't work either, here are tips to help you revive your wet gear and get by with less.

To dry wet socks, gloves, and other clothing on overnight trips, pack them around your chest and upper arms while sleeping since this area of the body generates the most heat. Place the items between your long underwear and your next layer, as close as possible to the body but not directly touching the skin. Hopefully, you'll wake up with dry, toasty items for next day's adventure. Or, pile your damp clothing on top of Nalgene bottles filled with hot water and place them inside an empty sleeping bag. Your gear should dry while you're off doing something else. For maximum results put gear on top of water bottles since heat rises. Be sure lids are screwed on tightly ( ! ), and be careful about putting overly wet items in down sleeping bags.

Bonus tip: To quickly warm cold fingers, simply place them on the back of your neck for a few minutes. Never blow on your fingers or into your gloves. This deposits moisture inside your gloves and can make warming even more difficult and, in extreme circumstances, can contribute to evaporative cooling and eventual frost nip or frostbite.

GUIDES CHOICE: Your resource for gear recommendations

Guides Choice is an independent, international gear evaluation program started by the American Alpine Institute in 1989. Our professional mountain guides are continually field-testing equipment and clothing in a variety of mountain environments and conditions. Guides Choice awards are given to the top item of gear in each product category based on excellence in design, performance, and durability. Each year new Guides Choice awards are presented to manufacturers at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show in Salt Lake City. Check the list of 2005 award recipients.

For advice on gear, browse the Guides Choice web site. We feature a weekly special on a handful of items at substantial discounts. The clothing and equipment on sale changes every Tuesday so check back each week. You'll find great items on clearance, and we are regularly adding products, photos, testing notes, and equipment reviews.

ASK A GUIDE:

We want to hear from you! We are implementing a new column called Ask A Guide. Email us at askaguide@aai.cc with any climbing or mountain travel related questions you may have. We will answer selected questions in future editions of the E-newsletter.

THE CLIMBERS PATH - Your stories!

We're looking for stories from you about your favorite mountain experiences. If your submission is selected, we'll publish it in our new column The Climber's Path. Email photos, trip reports, short stories, or climbing articles of interest to share with the thousands of readers in our E-newsletter community and with visitors to our web site. Photos are also encouraged. Send your stories to climberspath@aai.cc.

THE CLIMBERS PATH - Photo Contest

We want to see through your eyes and your camera! A few times a year, we'll choose the top photo sent in by readers, along with three to ten "Honorable Mentions" and publish them in the E-newsletter and on the AAI Web site. The top photo will earn the photographer a $25 gift certificate that can be used in our gear shop. Send your photographs to climberspath@aai.cc.

Founded in 1975, the American Alpine Institute is dedicated to helping beginning and experienced climbers improve their skills and safely gain access to the great mountains of the world. We offer AMGA accredited instructional courses, guided trips and expeditions throughout the year in 16 countries and 6 states.

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American Alpine Institute
1515 12th Street
Bellingham, Washington 98225
info@aai.cc
800-424-2249 or 360-671-1505

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