What is Alpenglow Expeditions?

Alpenglow Expeditions is an IFMGA-certified mountain guide service founded in 2004 and based in North Lake Tahoe, California. We lead 60+ international expeditions each year — including guided climbs of Everest, the Seven Summits, and 8,000-meter peaks — plus backcountry skiing, rock climbing, and avalanche education in the Lake Tahoe region .

What is Rapid Ascent™ and how is it different from a traditional expedition?

Rapid Ascent™ is Alpenglow’s proprietary expedition methodology combining hypoxic training before departure, precise acclimatization scheduling, and small team sizes. The result is an expedition that’s 30–50% shorter than traditional approaches — reducing time away from home while significantly improving summit success rates. It is exclusive to Alpenglow and available on select 8,000-meter peaks. Read More About Rapid Ascent™

Do I need prior mountaineering experience to join an Alpenglow expedition?

It depends on the program. Introductory expeditions — like the Ecuador Climbing School or Kilimanjaro are designed for climbers with no prior high-altitude experience. Intermediate and advanced programs like Aconcagua or Everest require demonstrated skills and prior expedition experience . Alpenglow’s team will assess your background and recommend the right starting point for your goals.

What certifications do Alpenglow guides hold?

All Alpenglow lead guides hold AMGA or IFMGA certification — the highest guiding standard in the world. Fewer than 200 guides in the United States hold IFMGA certification. Alpenglow was also one of the first guide services in the US to require this standard across its full team, and remains one of the few AMGA-accredited companies in the country.

What avalanche courses does Alpenglow offer in Lake Tahoe?

Alpenglow offers a full range of AIARE-certified avalanche courses in both North and South Lake Tahoe, including AIARE 1, AIARE 2, Avalanche Rescue, and a hybrid online/field format. Courses are taught by professional mountain guides and are available for beginners, intermediate skiers, women’s groups, and teens throughout the winter season. View all Avalanche Education Courses.

Where is Alpenglow Expeditions based, and what areas do you operate in?

Alpenglow Expeditions is headquartered in North Lake Tahoe, California. Locally, we operate guided adventures across the Lake Tahoe region and Mount Shasta. Internationally, we run expeditions across South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central America — including peaks in the Himalaya, Karakoram, Andes, and Alps.

How long does it take to climb Everest with Alpenglow?

Alpenglow’s Mount Everest Rapid Ascent™ expedition runs approximately 36 days — significantly shorter than the 60–70 days typical of conventional Everest expeditions. The condensed timeline is made possible by pre-expedition hypoxic training, which allows climbers to arrive already partially acclimatized and spend less time at altitude waiting for their body to adjust.

Expert Mountain Guides

Alpenglow Expeditions

International Mountain Guides. Two Decades in the Field.

Alpenglow Expeditions is an IFMGA-certified mountain guide service founded in 2004 in North Lake Tahoe, California. We lead 60+ international expeditions a year, including guided ascents of Everest, the Seven Summits, and the world’s highest 8,000-meter peaks, plus backcountry skiing, rock climbing, mountaineering courses, and AIARE avalanche education in Lake Tahoe.

We were among the first U.S. guide services to require AMGA or IFMGA certification across our entire lead guide team, and one of the few American companies accredited by the AMGA. That standard shapes every decision we make, from how we build a rope team to how we design an acclimatization schedule.

Whether it’s your first time on snow or you’re prepping for your third 8,000-meter peak, our job is the same: give you the skills, logistics, and team to get there as safely and efficiently as possible, and to make the journey one you’ll be talking about for years.

International Expeditions Lake Tahoe Climbing & Skiing Our Approach

RAPID ASCENT™

A safer and more efficient way to climb – exclusive to us.

Rapid Ascent™ is an innovative program that combines hypoxic training with precise logistics and small team sizes to reduce expedition time by 30-50%. Minimizing time spent away from home, while greatly increasing the chances of summit success.

Rapid Ascent

Global Expeditions

Everest, 7 Summits and Beyond.

Our expeditions are designed to take you climbing, skiing, and trekking to locations you never dreamed possible and our international mountain guides are IFMGA-certified to teach you the skills necessary to summit the tallest peaks.

View All Expeditions

Introductory

Ecuador
Ecuador Climbing School
Next Available
Sept 5, 2026 – Sept 13, 2026 9 Days w/ Optional 7 Day Extension
Intermediate

Argentina
Aconcagua Rapid Ascent™
Next Available
Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 8, 2027 14 Days
Advanced

Tibet
Mount Everest Expedition
Next Available
April 25, 2027 – May 30, 2027 36 Days
Introductory

Ecuador
Women’s Ecuador Climbing School
Next Available
August 1, 2026 – August 9, 2026 9 or 16 Days
Advanced

Tibet
Cho Oyu Rapid Ascent™ Expedition
Next Available
September 6 – October 4, 2026 29 Days
Advanced

Karakoram Pakistan
Gasherbrum II Rapid Ascent™
35 Days
Advanced

Nepal
Ama Dablam Rapid Ascent™
Next Available
October 19, 2026 – November 3, 2026 16 Days

Local Tahoe Adventures

Lake Tahoe Adventures

The Lake Tahoe area holds a lifetime of premium backcountry skiing & climbing adventures; our Lake Tahoe mountain guides are the perfect people to show you.

View All Adventures

Introductory

Olympic Valley, CA
Tahoe Via Ferrata
Next Available
Every day during the summer, starting May 1st! 2, 3, or 4-hour tour options
Introductory

North Lake Tahoe
Private Lake Tahoe Hiking Tours
4 hours
Introductory

Donner Summit, CA
Private Full-Day of Rock Climbing
Next Available
Summer ’25 Full Day / 8 Hours
Introductory

Lake Tahoe, CA
Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing
Next Available
Every Friday,Saturday and Sunday. June – October. Contact us for private dates! Full Day / 8 Hours
Introductory

Donner Summit
Rock Anchoring & Gear Placement
Next Available
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. June – October. Contact us for private dates! 1 full day (8 hours)
Introductory

Lake Tahoe, CA
Family Half-Day Rock Climbing
Next Available
May 1 – November 15 4-hours
Introductory

Lake Tahoe, CA
Learn to Lead Climb In Tahoe
Next Available
Every Friday,Saturday and Sunday. June – October. Contact us for private dates! Full Day, 8 Hours
Intermediate

Lake Tahoe, CA
Intro to Multi-Pitch Climbing
Next Available
Available any day of the week! Full Day / 8 Hours
Advanced

High Sierra, CA
High Sierra Alpine Climbing
Next Available
May 01 – Nov 15 Full-Day or Multiple Days
Introductory

Lake Tahoe, CA
Kids Rock Climbing Camp
Next Available
6/15/2026-6/19/2026 5 days, 8 hours a day

Our Guides

IFMGA-Certified Mountain Guides.

Our team of certified, professional guides are here to curate powerful mountain experiences in the world’s highest alpine environments.

Our Guides

Founder
Chief Guide
Expedition Leader

View All

Testimonials

Incredible! One of the many words that can be used to describe climbing with Alpenglow
“Incredible! One of the many words that can be used to describe climbing with Alpenglow in Bolivia and the Cordillera Real. Prior to Bolivia, I had completed the Ecuador Climbing School with Alpenglow, so this was the IDEAL expedition that would take my mountaineering skills to the next level. I was fortunate enough to have three amazing guides who truly cared about teaching our team the skill sets needed to safely succeed on these more challenging peaks. I cannot recommend partnering with Alpenglow enough. By choosing Alpenglow, you will receive transparent logistics, expert guides, detailed itineraries, and truly an unforgettable experience. If you want to take your mountaineering skills to the next level, this is the trip!”
Evan M
I can’t imagine working with anyone else going forward.
“Tim and Mauri both were outstanding. [Their] leadership, discretion and judgment saved the trip for me – thank you very much! As I mentioned, I have done a few trips with other guide companies, but I can’t imagine working with anyone else going forward. Mauri, thank you again for staying an extra day. It was great to connect and learn more about your experiences in the mountains. Needless to say, I spent the entire trip back East thinking about what is next. I will definitely follow-up and schedule time to discuss next steps. Thank you both once again!” -Mike C
Mike C
For a peak like Aconcagua, I knew that Alpenglow could deliver
“I’ve climbed internationally with Alpenglow multiple times. When attempting a peak as important as Aconcagua, I knew they would deliver. While no summit can be guaranteed. Alpenglow employs very good guides. The logistics are all top-notch. Tico was all-around an amazing guide. He helped with every detail. Can’t recommend the company enough–simply the best.”
Ryan C
An amazing and unforgettable experience
“Climbing Gasherbrum 2, my first 8000 meter summit, was an amazing and unforgettable experience. The Karakoram range and the culture of northern Pakistan are incredible.
The Alpenglow team, particularly the lead guide, Topo Mena, and the Sherpa crew on the expedition were world-class in every way. They enabled me to explore my limits and advance my big mountain skills, while maintaining high levels of safety.
I am stoked for my next expedition with the Alpenglow team, which is already planned.”
Matthew Greving
63.0692° N, 151.0070° W
The feeling of standing on the summit of Everest/Chomolungma is almost indescribable
“The feeling of standing on the summit of Everest/Chomolungma is almost indescribable. What I can say is that the entire experience of climbing the mountain with Alpenglow Expeditions was a true pleasure. I felt taken care of and safe. There’s no better feeling than climbing a mountain, especially the world’s highest, and feeling safe doing it.”
Rob Lea

The latest from the field.

All Stories

Episode 57, Everest Coverage: Left for Dead, and Found Alive
On episode 57, Sam and Adrian dig into two stories making waves in their respective corners of the outdoor world before launching into an unplanned fifth installment of Everest season coverage and a full listener mailbag.
Read the story
Episode 56: Was this season on Everest a smashing success?
With the 2026 Everest season now officially in the books, Sam and Adrian are back for their fourth and final installment of Everest coverage, with Adrian calling in from Denver where the season’s biggest stories have been the talk of the festival floor.
Read the story
Skiing Georgia’s Svaneti Region: Notes from the Caucasus
We sat down with IFMGA-certified guide Tim Dobbins to get his take on the Georgia Ski Expedition.
Read the story
Everest Coverage: Summits begin, will chaos ensue?
With the 2026 Everest season hitting its most critical stretch, Sam and Adrian are back for their third installment of armchair mountaineering coverage.
Read the story
Everest Coverage: Onward and Upward Despite Real Hazards
With the 2026 Everest season now firmly underway and the icefall finally open, Sam and Adrian are back for their second installment of armchair mountaineering coverage.
Read the story

FAQ

The Questions Worth Asking Before You Go

The best expeditions start with the right preparation and that begins with understanding who you’re climbing with, how we work, and what to expect on the mountain. Here’s what most people want to know.

: Alpenglow Expeditions is an IFMGA-certified mountain guide service founded in 2004 and based in North Lake Tahoe, California. We lead 60+ international expeditions each year — including guided climbs of Everest, the Seven Summits, and 8,000-meter peaks — plus backcountry skiing, rock climbing, and avalanche education in the Lake Tahoe region.
: Rapid Ascent™ is Alpenglow’s proprietary expedition methodology combining hypoxic training before departure, precise acclimatization scheduling, and small team sizes. The result is an expedition that’s 30–50% shorter than traditional approaches — reducing time away from home while significantly improving summit success rates. It is exclusive to Alpenglow and available on select 8,000-meter peaks. Read More About Rapid Ascent™
: It depends on the program. Introductory expeditions — like the Ecuador Climbing School or Kilimanjaro are designed for climbers with no prior high-altitude experience. Intermediate and advanced programs like Aconcagua or Everest require demonstrated skills and prior expedition experience. Alpenglow’s team will assess your background and recommend the right starting point for your goals.
: All Alpenglow lead guides hold AMGA or IFMGA certification — the highest guiding standard in the world. Fewer than 200 guides in the United States hold IFMGA certification. Alpenglow was also one of the first guide services in the US to require this standard across its full team, and remains one of the few AMGA-accredited companies in the country.
: Alpenglow offers a full range of AIARE-certified avalanche courses in both North and South Lake Tahoe, including AIARE 1, AIARE 2, Avalanche Rescue, and a hybrid online/field format. Courses are taught by professional mountain guides and are available for beginners, intermediate skiers, women’s groups, and teens throughout the winter season. View all Avalanche Education Courses.
: Alpenglow Expeditions is headquartered in North Lake Tahoe, California. Locally, we operate guided adventures across the Lake Tahoe region and Mount Shasta. Internationally, we run expeditions across South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central America — including peaks in the Himalaya, Karakoram, Andes, and Alps.
: Alpenglow’s Mount Everest Rapid Ascent™ expedition runs approximately 36 days — significantly shorter than the 60–70 days typical of conventional Everest expeditions. The condensed timeline is made possible by pre-expedition hypoxic training, which allows climbers to arrive already partially acclimatized and spend less time at altitude waiting for their body to adjust.

International Mountain Guides. Two Decades in the Field.

A safer and more efficient way to climb – exclusive to us.

Let’s find the right expedition for you.

Ecuador Climbing School

Aconcagua Rapid Ascent™

Mount Everest Expedition

Women’s Ecuador Climbing School

Cho Oyu Rapid Ascent™ Expedition

Gasherbrum II Rapid Ascent™

Ama Dablam Rapid Ascent™

Tahoe Via Ferrata

Private Lake Tahoe Hiking Tours

Private Full-Day of Rock Climbing

Intro to Outdoor Rock Climbing

Rock Anchoring & Gear Placement

Family Half-Day Rock Climbing

Learn to Lead Climb In Tahoe

Intro to Multi-Pitch Climbing

High Sierra Alpine Climbing

Kids Rock Climbing Camp

IFMGA-Certified Mountain Guides.

Incredible! One of the many words that can be used to describe climbing with Alpenglow

I can’t imagine working with anyone else going forward.

For a peak like Aconcagua, I knew that Alpenglow could deliver

An amazing and unforgettable experience

The feeling of standing on the summit of Everest/Chomolungma is almost indescribable

Episode 57, Everest Coverage: Left for Dead, and Found Alive

Episode 56: Was this season on Everest a smashing success?

Skiing Georgia’s Svaneti Region: Notes from the Caucasus

Everest Coverage: Summits begin, will chaos ensue?

Everest Coverage: Onward and Upward Despite Real Hazards