Ever wonder what it's like to climb the high altitude volcanoes of Ecuador? Check out AAI office staff member Scott Schumann's trip report from Cayambe and Cotopaxi. Our Ecuador expeditions kick off this month and will be running through February. Ecuador is a great place for climbers without experience climbing above 16,000 feet to get an excellent introduction to climbing at altitude, to learn or further advance alpine skills, and do some fantastic climbing along the way. Our two programs in Ecuador, the Cayambe, Chimborazo, and Cotopaxi trip (15 days, beginner-intermediate) and the Illiniza/Antisana Expedition (10 days, intermediate or advanced) both combine cultural and sight seeing experiences with ascents of big scale, heavily glaciated peaks.
If you are a rock climber and have never been to Red Rock, you are missing out on something VERY good. There is no other place like this gorgeous high desert environment and no other place that can offer such a wide range of climbing options for all ability levels. Some climbers combine their experience on the rock with business or with the great range of entertainment available in Las Vegas, while others choose to avoid the city all together and enjoy serene desert nights and sunny days on the rock. Climbs and courses can be set up for half or full days from now until May. Come see what climbing in the desert is all about.
Ready for the winter snow season? Across the country, skiers and snowboarders have been leaving the groomed runs and trails in record numbers in search of the backcountry powder and first turns. Many of these adventure seekers have never learned what it takes to stay alive in the backcountry. Our two-and-a-half day Level 1 course will teach you how to assess avalanche danger, travel safely in the backcountry, and rescue people who have been caught in avalanches. This course should be mandatory for anyone stepping under the ski area boundary markers and heading for the backcountry. It's also essential for snowshoers heading into avalanche terrain. The Level 2 course is intended for people with a serious interest in snow science including snow stability factors, snowpack formation, and the metamorphosis that a snowpack can undergo. This course will include 12-15 hours of classroom training and 20-24 hours in the field over two successive weekends.
The focus of AAI's women's programs is to educate women about safe climbing practices in a non-competitive, nurturing environment. The programs' goals are to promote self-reliance, individual responsibility, and camaraderie among women. The positive learning environment created on the course fosters personal growth and improves self-esteem. All are led by women instructors. Follow the link for a list of courses and dates.
AAI conducts extensive international field testing of equipment and presents the Guides Choice award to manufacturers producing the best gear in each product category. Check out the list of award recipients. And if you are in need of advice on gear or need to purchase climbing equipment or clothing, you should take a look at our Guides Choice web site. We also feature a weekly special on a handful of items at substantial discounts. This week's specials are listed below. Check back each week for new items.
| GRIVEL | Air Tech Mountaineering Ice Axe*. | Reg. $149.50 | Sale = $80 |
| *These items are demos from our equipment testing program. Many sizes available. Call for details. | |||
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| PATAGONIA | Dimension jacket | Reg. $240. | Sale = $175 |
| IBEX | Icefall jacket | Reg. $225 | Sale = $168.75 |
| MAMMUT | Aconcagua jacket | Reg. $135 | Sale = $108 |
