Alaska Range
Mountaineering
custom alpine climbing and mountaineering expeditions in Denali National Park
All Skyward Mountaineering mountaineering expeditions in Denali National Park are highly customized based on the climber’s goals and experience level. From linkups of classic routes in the Ruth Gorge or Kahiltna Basecamp to an introductory mountaineering course, first ascents in big alpine terrain such as the Kichatna Spires to an ascent of the mega classic Ham and Eggs route on the Moose’s Tooth, we are committed to curating a unique mountaineering trip based on your goals and experience level.
Beginner to advanced alpine climbing
All guided climbing in the Alaska Range requires climbers be in excellent fitness and have previous ice/rock climbing and/or mountaineering experience (dependent on the specific climbing objective)
Expedition length depends on the objective, most are 6 - 10 days
Denali National Park
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 the 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.
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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 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!
Popular expeditions:
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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.
