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Stories

Mountain adventures create the best stories, and we want to share some of ours with you. Dive into Alpenglow Stories to stay up to date on expeditions in the field, read blogs, and get tips and tricks from guides.

A climber stands with his back facing to the camera with Cho Oyu, the sixth tallest mountain in the world, in the background.

The Practical Path: Cho Oyu Before Everest

For ambitious mountaineers eyeing the world’s tallest peaks, the decision to tackle Everest is a monumental one. At Alpenglow Expeditions, we require that our Everest team members have prior experience on at least one 8,000-meter peak before joining an Everest expedition, and we almost always recommend Cho Oyu as a stepping stone. Here’s why climbing Cho Oyu first makes practical sense.
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Climb or ski Mount Shasta with our professional Lake Tahoe mountain guides

A Brief History of Mt. Shasta

Mount Shasta, a pinnacle of beauty and grandeur in Northern California’s landscape, boasts a history as intriguing as its rugged slopes. From its volcanic birth to indigenous reverence to challenges faced by early climbers, the mountain’s story is one of geological wonder and human endeavor. Today, it’s a place revered by countless climbers, skiers, and those who simply admire the mountain’s natural beauty.
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Clients skiing down during a private backcountry ski guiding in lake tahoe with professional mountain guides

The Art of Timing: Guiding The Spring Skiing Capital

When it comes to spring skiing in Tahoe, timing is everything. As the sun rises higher in the sky and temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, the snow conditions on the mountain can change dramatically. Understanding these fluctuations and knowing when to hit the slopes is crucial for maximizing your skiing experience. That’s where going with a guide can make all the difference.
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A group of mountaineering students during a Mount Shasta 5-day mountaineering course with Alpenglow Expeditions.

Mount Shasta Spring Trips with Alpenglow Expeditions

It may not feel like spring yet in Northern California, but the season is slowly starting to shift away from winter. Alpenglow Expeditions has just recently opened its books for climbing, mountaineering, and skiing trips up Mount Shasta.
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Learn Foundational Skills in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca

Situated amidst the rugged grandeur of the Peruvian Andes, the Cordillera Blanca is affectionately referred to in the climbing community as one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. With a rich history dating back decades, the Blanca has been a focal point for climbers seeking to test themselves and grow as much as it has been a training ground for burgeoning mountaineers.
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Clients climbing up the ridge to Camp 3 on a guided Ama Dablam Expedition

Climbing Ama Dablam: Alpenglow’s Old Reliable

As one of the most distinct and recognizable peaks of the Khumbu region, Ama Dablam has time and again proved to be our favorite and most consistent climb in Nepal. At Alpenglow Expeditions, our Ama Dablam Rapid Ascent expedition is where every piece of our mission and vision comes together: consistency, efficiency, and unparalleled adventure. 
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Prayer flags on a Cho Oyu Expedition with tents in the background during a guided expedition with Alpenglow Expeditions.

Setting the Stage for Everest: Cho Oyu, 1952

In the storied world of Himalayan mountaineering, the 1952 British Expedition on Cho Oyu stands as a testament to the grit, determination, and pioneering spirit of the climbers of that era. Led by renowned mountaineer Eric Shipton, the expedition aimed to reach the summit of Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest peak in the world, located on the Nepal-Tibet border.
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A group of five sits atop the rock at Everest Base Camp with the Himalaya in the background.

Age Is Just A Number: Training for Everest Base Camp at 68

In February 2023, Robert Kyte of Alpenglow asked his dad, who turned 68 in 2023, to trek to Everest Base Camp in March 2024. With the help of Lynette Talbott of Billy Goat Swift, Alpenglow’s in-house expedition trainer, and many months of hard work and dedication, John Kyte trekked to Everest Base Camp in March 2024. 
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Route Overview: Climbing Peak Lenin

Peak Lenin, standing at 23,406’/7,134m, offers climbers the chance to test their skills on a truly big mountain landscape in a unique and remote range of the world. Along the climbing route, strategically positioned camps offer essential rest and acclimatization points for those venturing to the summit.
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A view looking up Mount Shasta showing snow in the foreground, a rocky ridgeline and a beautiful blue sky with a few clouds

Things to Know Before Climbing Mt. Shasta

By adequately preparing physically, mentally, and logistically, climbers can increase their chances of a safe and enjoyable ascent of Mt. Shasta.
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