Alaska Range
Expeditions
custom alpine climbing and mountaineering expeditions in Denali National Park
All Skyward Mountaineering mountaineering and steep skiing expeditions in Denali National Park are highly customized based on the climbers’ and riders’ goals and experience level. From linkups of classic routes in the Ruth Gorge, descending steep couloirs on the Pika Glacier, introductory mountaineering course on the Kahiltna Glacier, first ascents in big alpine terrain such as the Kichatna Spires to a mutilday ski camp on a remote glacier in the Alaska Range, we are committed to curating a unique mountaineering trip based on your goals and experience level.
Alpine Climbing & Mountaineering Expeditions
Beginner to advanced alpine climbing
All guided mountaineering in the Alaska Range requires climbers 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, most are 6 - 10 days
Denali National Park
Ski mountaineering expeditions
Intermediate to advanced ski mountaineering
All guided skiing and splitboarding expeditions in the Alaska Range requires riders be in excellent fitness and have previous backcountry touring experience
Expedition length depends on the objective, most are 6 - 10 days. The best season is from mid March through the end of April
Denali National Park
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 be in excellent fitness and have previous multipitch and snow climbing experience
Expedition length depends on the objective, most are 6 - 10 days. The best season is from early June through mid August
Denali National Park
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Skyward Mountaineering offers guided mountaineering and alpine climbing throughout Denali National Park and the Alaska Range. Our access to these classic mountaineering and alpine climbing peaks in a remote setting combined with our decades of experience recreating and guiding in these mountains provide the backbone for all of our expeditions. Skyward Mountaineering has a proven track record of guiding some of the most challenging and classic alpine routes; routes that are defined by exposed corniced ridgelines, runnels of ice and towering golden granite walls high above the glacier valley. Many alpine climbs require a large range of climbing techniques such as scratching up a rock buttress in crampons and ice tools, kicking steps on a sustained steep snow couloir and swinging ice tools into bulletproof alpine ice. We specialize in providing the training for this wide variety of climbing with guided and instructional climbing in Ouray, Rocky Mountain National Park and the North Cascades, among other classic climbing destinations.
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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 the Alaska Range, such as the Southwest Ridge on Peak 11,300 and the Harvard Route on Mount Huntington.
We have skied mega lines, including from the summit of Denali.
Combined, our guides have experience with over 100 expeditions into the Alaska Range.
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Skyward Mountaineering is an AMGA Accredited Business, that means we’ve gone through rigorous third party auditing to ensure the highest quality risk management, customer service, ethical business practices, and professionally trained guides.
Our guides are expert climbers and skiers with extensive training and personal experience on challenging ascents and descents around the world. All of our expeditions in the Alaska Range are staffed by certified AMGA Alpine Guides with extensive experience guiding and climbing in the Alaska Range. Our customized itineraries, proven track record and commitment to prepare you for the demands of expedition alpine climbing makes Skyward Mountaineering stand out as a leading guide service in this remote and challenging environment.
We are a small guide service offering customized programs based on decades of guiding and instructional experience.
Unparalleled logistics support from start to finish. Our office staff are climbers, skiers and mountain guides so when you call or email us we’ll give you honest and helpful information to increase the success and enjoyment of your trip.
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All Skyward Mountaineering expeditions in Alaska start and finish in Anchorage. We provide transportation from Anchorage to the small mountain town of Talkeetna, the gateway to Denali National Park. Here, we’ll spend a few hours packing up gear and finalizing logistics before a truly breathtaking flight on a ski plane with the world class pilots of Talkeetna Air Taxi.
Once we’ve landed on the glacier and the plane takes off, you’re left standing on a remote glacier in the Alaska Range surrounded by towering peaks above. Your guide will provide an orientation to the zone and we’ll start setting up camp and enjoy a surprisingly tasty and healthy dinner in the cook tent (did you know your guide is both an expert climber and chef?). The following days will be filled with climbing, skiing, exploring the area (and possibly sitting out some stormy weather in between) before flying back to Talkeetna. Back in town we’ll unpack and dry out gear before a celebratory dinner at the local brewery and returning back to Anchorage for flights home the following day.
Have a unique plan in mind? Want to discuss customizing your trip? Reach out, we’re here to help!