Guided Mountaineering Expeditions in the Alaska Range
Explore Alaska’s Best Alpine Climbing, Rock Climbing, & Ski Mountaineering
Explore some of North America’s most spectacular and challenging alpine terrain with a custom guided expedition in the Alaska Range. Skyward Mountaineering offers guided mountaineering, alpine climbing, rock climbing, and ski mountaineering expeditions in Denali National Park and throughout the Alaska Range.
Every expedition is tailored to your abilities and and unique goals. Our certified AMGA guides combine extensive Alaska Range experience with intimate knowledge of the terrain, weather, and logistics required for successful expeditions in this remote environment. From the jaw-dropping glacier flight on day one to the climbing and skiing that follows, an Alaska expedition offers a rare combination of remote wilderness and remarkably easy access, spectacular alpine terrain and big mountain challenges. It’s an experience unlike any other in the mountains.
Did you know?
Skyward Mountaineering was the first guide service to successfully guide Ham and Eggs on the Moose’s Tooth! We were also the first guide service to successfully guide several other classic routes throughout tshe Alaska Range, such as the Southwest Ridge on Peak 11,300 and the Harvard Route on Mount Huntington. Combined, our guides have experience with over 100 expeditions into the Alaska Range.
What Type of Expedition Do You Want?
Guided Alpine Climbing & Mountaineering Expeditions
Beginner to advanced alpine climbing:
Ice climbing from WI4 to WI6 and mixed climbing M3 to M8. Steep snow climbs and corniced ridges. Rock climbing routes range from 5.8 to 5.12.
All guided mountaineering in the Alaska Range requires climbers to be in excellent fitness and have previous ice/rock climbing and/or glaciated mountaineering experience (dependent on the specific climbing objective).
Expedition length depends on the objective, though we generally recommend a 6-8 day trip. Some routes can be climbed in a single day from camp to camp, but our standard itineraries build in additional days for approach reconnaissance, weather contingencies, and flexibility to change objectives.
Denali National Park
Ruth Gorge
Kahiltna Basecamp
Pika Glacier
Kichatna Spires
And so much more…
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![An alpinist in a red jacket is climbing up a steep and narrow couloir filled with snow and ice on the Ham and Eggs route on the Moose's Tooth.]()
The Ham and Eggs route on the Moose’s Tooth may be the most popular alpine route in the Alaska Range! A must do for any budding alpinist.
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![A climber in a blue jacket is traversing a steep snow slope on Annie's Ridge above the Kahiltna Glacier. The steep rocky and snowy cliffs at the base of Mount Hunter are in the background.]()
Kahiltna Basecamp is the launching spot for hopeful climbers on Denali’s West Buttress. It’s also home to multiple excellent alpine routes.
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![A climber in a red jacket is traversing a corniced ridge on Peak 11,300 in Alaska. The West Fork of the Ruth Glacier is below in the background.]()
Traverse an exposed corniced ridge and excellent moderate mixed climbing pitches on Steve House’s “favorite climb in North America”.
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![A climber in blue pants is belaying a climber below up a steep ice and snow pitch at the start of the West Face Couloir route on Mount Huntington. A blue and yellow rope is draped over the belayer's leg and ice screws and a cam are on his harness.]()
Mount Huntington is an iconic peak towering over the Alaska Range and the West Face Couloir has become the standard route to this imposing summit.
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![An alpinist in an orange jacket is mixed climbing up a steep rock face on the Spiral pitch of the Harvard Route on Mount Huntington.]()
The Harvard Route on Mount Huntington is a true alpine testpiece with mixed climbing, ice climbing, steep snow, and exposed ridge traverses to an iconic summit.
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![Two rope teams are traversing the glacier in the Ruth Gorge with steep mountains on the sides.]()
The Ruth Gorge is home to a wide variety of classic routes, from introductory alpine routes such as the Japanese Couloir to challenging mixed routes on Mount Bradley and summer rock climbing on routes such as Cobra Pillar.
Guided Ski mountaineering Expeditions
Intermediate to advanced ski mountaineering:
Glacier tours and skiing up to 60°
All guided skiing and splitboarding expeditions in the Alaska Range requires riders to be in excellent fitness and have previous backcountry touring experience. Skiers/snowboarders should be able to ride Black Diamond runs on-piste
All Alaska Range ski camps can be customized, though we recommend an 8 day itinerary to maximize success
Denali National Park
Pike Glacier
Triple Crown
Eldridge Glacier
Buckskin Glacier
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![The tail of an airplane with the words "Talkeetna Air Taxi" sits on the Kahiltna Glacier with a snowy peak in the background.]()
Intermediate to advanced ski mountaineering
Guided Rock Climbing expeditions
Intermediate to advanced alpine rock climbing:
Difficulty ranges from 5.8 to 5.12, Grade II to Grade VI routes
All guided alpine rock climbing expeditions in the Alaska Range requires climbers to be in excellent fitness and have previous multipitch and snow climbing experience
Expedition length depends on the objective and all Alaska alpine rock climbing expeditions are customized, though we recommend an 8 day itinerary for most trips to maximize climbing multiple routes
Denali National Park
Pika Glacier
Ruth Gorge
Kichatna Spires
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![Golden granite splitter crack in the foreground with the Ruth Gorge glacier in the background.]()
Intermediate to advanced alpine rock climbing
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![The Pika Glacier as seen from the air, under the wing of a Talkeetna Air Taxi De Havilland Otter.]()
Intermediate to advanced alpine rock climbing
Why Choose Skyward Mountaineering for an Alaska Range Expedition?
Skyward Mountaineering offers custom guided mountaineering, alpine climbing, and ski mountaineering expeditions throughout the Alaska Range. Our decades of experience climbing and guiding in Alaska, including on some of the range’s most classic and remote objectives, form the foundation of every expedition. From first ascents to established trade routes, we bring intimate knowledge of the Alaska Range to every trip, adapting our plans to your goals, experience, route conditions, and weather.
All of our Alaska expeditions are led by certified AMGA guides. Our small team allows us to provide highly personalized guiding while maintaining the professionalism, technical expertise and judgment required for complex alpine environments.
We also provide year-round support to help you prepare for your climbing or ski mountaineering expedition. From ice climbing courses in Ouray and glaciated ski tours in the Pacific Northwest to personalized training plans designed to build your fitness and skills, our guides and support team are committed to helping you arrive prepared and ready for your objective.