Adrian Ballinger

IFMGA/AMGA Certified Mountain Guide

Alpenglow Expeditions’ founder and head guide, Adrian has been guiding full-time for 15 years, and has led over 100 international climbing expeditions on 5 continents. Adrian is a fully certified IFMGA/AMGA guide (one of 70 in the USA), certified through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA Rock, Alpine, and Ski Certifications).

Adrian's personal ascents include successful solo climbs of Ama Dablam (22,525 ft) in Nepal, Artesonraju (20,005 ft) in Peru, and alpine-style climbs on the South Ridge of Pumo Ri (23,500 ft), the West Face of Cayesh, and the NE Ridge of Huascaran Norte. Adrian has also successfully guided four of the world's tallest peaks - Everest (29,035 ft, 5 summits), Manaslu (26,759 ft, 3 summits), Lhotse (27,940 ft, 1 summit) and Cho Oyu (26,906 ft) - and has summited Ama Dablam 8 times. This year, in addition to seven months guiding high altitude peaks worldwide, Adrian is also ski, ice, and rock guiding in his dual “hometowns” of Squaw Valley, California and Chamonix, France (with lots of time in nearby La Grave). Adrian is a sponsored athlete for Marmot clothing and equipment, La Sportiva footwear and ski equipment, Edelrid ropes, and Kaenon sunglasses.