Reflections on 2015

AMS looks back on 2015 with fond memories of quality time spent in Alaska's wilderness. While most of our expeditions were in Denali National Park, we also ventured into the Talkeetna Mountains, Chugach, Brooks Range, and a few Arctic villages. We summited South America's highest peak with a group of combat wounded special forces.

In total, AMS ran 20 mountaineering courses, 8 skills workshops, 17 Denali (Mt. McKinley) climbs, 4 highly technical climbs, and Aconcagua. All our guided expeditions were successful.  Most members reached the summit.  For those that didn’t, they came home with a true sense of accomplishment from role modeling excellence in mountaineering and giving it their best. In addition to mountaineering, AMS led a 24 day backpacking trip with high school students, a 3-day Medical Protocols Review for guides, and 24 separate mostly film-related trips into Alaska's Arctic.    

AMS is fortunate to have un-rivaled institutional memory when it comes to climbing Denali. 43 years! Starting in 1973 when Brian Okonek and Roger Robinson climbed the West Buttress to this season when current owner, Colby Coombs celebrated his 30^th year guiding Denali with a blind climber, there are no comparisons. 

We hope you agree.