IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
2001
ALASKA
MOUNTAINEERING SEMINAR
Alaska-Denali
Guiding Inc. is an authorized concessionaire of Denali National Park and
Preserve
DATE
OF EXPEDITION: (10 days)
May 5 - 14
June 4 - 13
July 2 - 11
Expedition imited to 9 students / 3 guides
COST
OF EXPEDITION: $1,500.00 per student
DEPOSIT
DUE TO RESERVE A POSITION: $ 500.00
BALANCE
AMOUNT: $1,000.00 due 90 days prior to start date of trip.
COST
INCLUDES:
Guides- 3 per 9 students
Van transportation between Anchorage and Talkeeta r/t
Flight to the glacier r/t
Camp food and cooking equipment
Team camping equipment
Team technical climbing gear
Medical kit, repair kit, emergency radio
COST
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Food or lodging in Talkeetna or Anchorage
Personal Equipment
Rental equipment
Hot or cold drinks
Cancellation insurance (highly recommended)
Cost due to weather delays (hotels, food etc.)
VAN SERVICE:
Alaska-Denali Guiding,Inc. provides van service between Anchorage and
Talkeetna.
Date of transportation: 8:00 a.m. the day the trip starts. Return
transport arranged after the trip.
Place to meet : 7:45 a.m. at the Snowshoe Inn, 826 K St., Anchorage
8:00 a.m. at the Earth B & B, 1001 W 12th Ave., Anchorage
2001
ALASKA
MOUNTAINEERING SEMINAR
The heavily
glaciated mountains that surround Mt. McKinley offer an excellent environment
and inspirational setting to learn and hone mountaineering techniques.
The Alaska Mountaineering Seminar takes place on the glaciers of the Alaska
Range that descend from Mt. McKinley. This comprehensive ten day course,
instructed by Mt. McKinley guides, will introduce students to the mountaineering
skills required to climb safely on Denali's glaciers and snow and ice
routes. The goal of this seminar is to assist each team member in developing
their skills through professional guidance, personal instruction, and
practical hands-on experience. It is ideal training for anyone wishing
to gain more experience before attempting a summit expedition on Mt. McKinley.
CURRICULUM
Participants will meet in Anchorage and drive to Talkeetna on the ADG,
Inc van. The instructors will meet you at the ADG,Inc. workshop and begin
the day with an individual equipment check followed by gear rentals, adjusting
crampons and prussiks and taking care of final student paperwork. You
will also be packing your own trip lunches. The team will gather for a
picnic lunch at the ADG,Inc. workshop before flying to the glacier in
ski equipped 3 passenger Cessna 185's. The flight is a stunning look at
the rugged topography of the Alaska Range. The birds-eye view from the
small bush plane gives you a sneak preview of the mountains that will
be explored during the seminar.
A base camp
will be established at the landing site. The first few days will be spent
in or near base camp learning glacier snow camping techniques, climbing
knots, harness systems, rope care, and rope management for glacier travel.
Each student will learn the proper techniques for placing snow and ice
anchors, belaying , ice axe and cramponing skills, crevasse rescue procedures,
rappelling and how to ascend fixed ropes. As individual skills are refined,
emphasis will be placed on combining these techniques into comprehensive
systems that will allow the team to travel and climb safely. During the
remainder of the expedition the team will be traveling through the mountains,route
finding, evaluating hazards and putting mountaineering techniques to use
on varied terrain. Each day will build on your knowledge and confidence
in accessing avalanche conditions, dealing with inclement weather, setting
snow anchors, a variety of climbing techniques, snow camping and team
work; all vital parts of any expedition.
The curriculum
of all the seminars will be the same. During the May seminar it will be
much colder so those in need of cold weather experience are recommended
to attend this seminar. The goal of these courses is to give our students
the opportunity to learn and then use these new mountaineering skills
in an Alaska scale mountaineering environment. It is not summit oriented.
This seminar is best suited for those who want to learn the unique skills
necessary to be well prepared for a future climb of Mt.McKinley or other
glaciated, big mountains of the world.
GUIDES
This seminar is led by a team of 3 guides and limited to 9 students. The
senior seminar instructors also guide Mt. McKinley expeditions and can
offer excellent suggestions about preparing for a future climb. All Alaska-Denali
Guiding, Inc. guides are accomplished mountaineers and experienced instructors
of mountaineering techniques. They have training in mountain rescue, avalanche
safety and emergency medical training. You will enjoy their amiable personalities
and their insightful stories about climbing in Alaska. See our web page
for more detailed information about ADG,Inc. guides.
RECOMMENDED
READING
Books that will familiarize you with the Denali area and mountaineering
techniques are: "Climbing Ice" by Yvon Chouinard, "Freedom
of the Hills" by The Seattle Mountaineers, "Glacier Travel and
Crevasse Rescue" by Andy Selters and "Mt. McKinley" by
Bradford Washburn, "Denali's West Buttress" by Colby Coombs
and " The Pioneer Climbs" by T. Moore
PREVIOUS
EXPERIENCE & TRAINING
To participate in this seminar you must be conditioned for rigorous, 8
hour periods of snowshoeing and climbing ice and snow slopes. We require
that participants have previous week long backpacking experience and are
in excellent physical condition. We will be traveling across crevassed
glaciers , climbing over steep snow passes, and crossing areas of glacial
moraine with packs that weigh up to 55 lbs. This is not an easy trip.
Backpacking experience and rigorous training are needed to be prepared
for mountaineering in the Alaska Range. Condition aerobically by fast
walking, jogging or biking over hilly terrain for a minimum of 1 1/2 hours
per day, 4 - 5 days per week. In addition to this, do endurance weight
training every week and always include warm-up and cool-down exercises.
The importance of training with a full pack on your back cannot be over
emphasized. Specificity of training for any activity is the key. If you
are going to backpack and climb across rugged terrain, then you must train
for it by carrying a loaded pack up and down hills, through grass, in
soft sand or snow. Get off the sidewalk and out of the gym!!! As often
as possible, climb, hike or ski with a pack on for an entire day or overnight
or longer trips. Wearing 2 lb. ankle weights (only while walking) will
condition your legs for the additional weight of boots and snowshoes.
Vary your routine to prevent overuse injuries. Learn to push yourself
past the point of being comfortable, without injuring yourself. Traveling
in the mountains often requires that one move in less-than-ideal conditions
and this takes equal amounts of mental and physical stamina.
LOGISTICS
We will meet you in Anchorage (see van transportation info on cover sheet)
and drive directly to Talkeetna. This first day is outlined under "Curriculum".
If weather permits the team will fly to the glacier that same evening.
Climbing
conditions and weather will dictate your actual return date. Arrangements
will be made by the ADG staff in Talkeetna for post trip accommodations
and return transportation to Anchorage. We recommend that you make your
return airline reservation with 3 days leeway after the finish date of
the expedition. If unsuitable weather keeps the team from flying out of
base camp as scheduled , these extra buffer days can eliminate the mental
stress and financial problems associated with missing your flight home.
If we do get out on schedule you can usually fly standby if you wish to
return home immediately.
TRAVEL
INSURANCE
We recommend that you buy trip cancellation insurance immediately after
paying your deposit. This insurance can protect you if you are unable
to join the expedition for personal or family medical reasons. One company
that sells this type of insurance is Access America at phone # 800-284-8300
or check with your travel agent. ADG, Inc. is not responsible for your
choice of whom to buy insurance through or if you choose to buy it at
all. We cannot refund either your deposit or final payment . Please read
the reservation and payment policy on the 2001 Schedule carefully.
STORAGE
ADG, Inc. has a storage area for leaving your extra gear . Make sure any
baggage that you are leaving at our office is clearly marked with your
name. If you drive to Talkeetna, you can leave your car at ADG, Inc. or
at the air taxi service parking area.
HOW TO
APPLY
The easiest way to apply for an expedition is to submit an application
directly from our web site. We can also email, fax or mail you an application.
Please return the completed application to our office. After being accepted
as a team member ADG must receive a deposit before we can reserve a position
for you on the expedition. We will then send you a complete packet of
detailed information relavent to team members.
We wish
to work closely with every expediton member. If there is any aspect of
the expedition that you need more details please phone us at 907-733-2649.
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