Alpenglow Expeditions

Alpenglow Expeditions Lake Tahoe Mountain Guides with a full menu of rock climbing, backcountry skiing, avalanche

Guide company leading climbing and ski trips worldwide, ranging from introductory trekking; beginner to advanced/expert climbing; and backcountry skiing!

As 2025 comes to a close, we have been taking a moment to look back. Not just where we went, but how we showed up, and w...
12/27/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we have been taking a moment to look back. Not just where we went, but how we showed up, and who we shared it with.

This year reinforced something we believe deeply. Great experiences come from strong relationships, thoughtful preparation, and teams that care about doing things the right way. The mountains reward patience, humility, and good decision-making. 2025 gave us so many moments that reflected that.

Across all of this, one thing stayed consistent. We focused on people first. We prioritized safety, education, and strong relationships. We aimed to deliver experiences that felt personal, well supported, and worth the effort it took to be there.

Thank you for trusting us with your time, your goals, and your dreams. Whether you joined us in the mountains this year, followed along from home, or are thinking about what comes next, we are grateful to have you as part of the Alpenglow community.

We are already looking ahead to 2026, carrying a lot of what 2025 taught us.

See you out there.

12/26/2025

Some of the most meaningful trips we run are private family climbs on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Adrian talks about it on the Duffel Shuffle. A client who might be climbing bigger, more technical peaks with us wants to share what they love with the people closest to them. A spouse. Kids. Sometimes even grandparents.

What keeps standing out is how roles shift. The person who usually struggles the most ends up becoming the steady one. Helping. Encouraging. Playing a bit of a guide role themselves.

One of Adrian’s favorites was a three generation family. Teenagers, parents, grandparents. Six or seven days living in tents, working hard, no showers, moving together toward high camp. Some summited. Everyone stepped into the night and experienced what it means to try.

Then they came down, stayed at a beautiful safari lodge, and spent days watching wildlife together in East Africa.

That combination of challenge, shared effort, and perspective is hard to beat. It’s the kind of experience that stays with a family long after the mountain.

LEARN MORE: https://alpenglowexpeditions.com/expedition/climb-kilimanjaro

12/23/2025

The forecast is finally delivering. A solid base is coming together, more snow is on the way, and winter is officially starting to feel real.

That also means it’s time to slow down and pay attention to layers, bonding, and how the pack is reacting as the snow continues to stack. Michael Cariello is here to help us understand what we’re standing on so we can make good calls and keep skiing all season long.

More on the way!! 🙏❄️

12/23/2025

Most people think Kilimanjaro is easy. Adrian breaks down why that idea misses the point.

On this episode, we dig into why we climb the Rongai Route on Mount Kilimanjaro — a longer, quieter line that’s intentionally designed for better acclimatization and a safer, more enjoyable summit day.

You start low, pass through every ecological zone in East Africa, and acclimatize slowly before committing to a 12–16 hour summit push. It’s comfortable in the right ways and demanding where it counts.

Kilimanjaro is accessible, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

🎧 Full episode live now: https://youtu.be/0wrg1lfymxc

See these photos and think ... hot springs? No? Maybe you should. Our Volcanoes of Chile trip revolves around big summit...
12/19/2025

See these photos and think ... hot springs? No? Maybe you should.

Our Volcanoes of Chile trip revolves around big summit days on snowy volcanoes by day, and proper R&R with high-quality food, comfortable lodges, and natural hot springs at night. Plus, you'll get your turns ahead of everyone else next season, since this trip runs in early Fall.

12/18/2025

Peru's ranges offer a full spectrum of mountain experiences—whether you’re trekking through the Cordillera Huayhuash, building skills in our Peru Climbing School, or two-tooling in high-altitude, technical terrain like Alpamayo. From guided treks to private objectives, this range works because it’s a place our guides know deeply and climb in year after year, even when they’re not on the clock. It's just that good.

📸: Roberto Morales

12/17/2025

Kilimanjaro isn’t technical climbing. On most routes, it’s hiking—supported by local porters and staff, light packs, real meals, and established camps. But at 19,341 ft, the altitude is very real and needs to be taken seriously.

On this episode of The Duffel Shuffle, Adrian breaks down why most Kilimanjaro horror stories don’t come from the mountain—they come from rushed itineraries, poor acclimatization, bad hygiene, and cutting corners. With the right schedule, good food, and the required local support, most people can acclimatize and have a strong experience.

There are plenty of cheap ways to climb Kilimanjaro. There are very few ways to do it safely, well, and ethically.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/0wrg1lfymxc

AB on the summit ridge of Everest this past season, on the clearest day of the year — and the best weather he’s seen up ...
12/17/2025

AB on the summit ridge of Everest this past season, on the clearest day of the year — and the best weather he’s seen up high in more than a decade on the mountain.

That kind of day doesn’t come from luck. It comes from being willing to wait. From an itinerary that gives us room to be patient instead of rushing a summit push. From making decisions based on experience, not impulse.

Warm temps, clear skies, and light gloves on summit day are just a bonus.

📸: Griffin Mims

"Nico was a fabulous guide. He was very kind, enthusiastic, and a great teacher. The logistics team was perfect. I loved...
12/12/2025

"Nico was a fabulous guide. He was very kind, enthusiastic, and a great teacher. The logistics team was perfect. I loved being able to climb and summit on such a short trip and feel great doing it. Everything about the trip was perfect." - Tom W.

Cotopaxi Rapid Ascent is built for climbers who want to move efficiently, learn from great guides, and still feel strong on summit day. Tight logistics, experienced leadership, and a system that works—so you can focus on climbing.

Thanks for the kind words, Tom. 👊

12/11/2025

Why aren't we climbing in Russia right now? The implications can be complicated, sensitive, and political. Still, the answer is relatively simple: we want to get back to Russia to climb, and right now we can’t responsibly take teams there.

In this episode of The Duffel Shuffle, Adrian breaks down why Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine and the broader instability around it create a level of uncertainty that goes beyond the usual considerations of expedition travel. Add in the State Department’s Level 4 warning and the high-profile detentions of Americans, and the risk becomes something we can’t ask our clients to take on.

This isn’t about reacting to headlines. We work with security consultants and make decisions based on real analysis. And right now that analysis is clear: we can’t look someone in the eye and say, “We feel 100% good about you going to Russia.”

At the same time, we’re aware that most Russians want Americans visiting, climbing, and spending time in their country. When we can return safely and responsibly, we will.

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mifWDqzJYQw

12/10/2025

Vintage Topo (2018!) standing on the summit of Illimani — one of Bolivia’s most striking peaks and the perfect extension to our Bolivia expedition.

Ilimani gives you everything you want out of a big Andean climb: long glacier travel, sustained movement above 20,000’, and a real sense of scale as La Paz drops thousands of feet below. It’s a logical next step if you’re building high-altitude experience after Ecuador or Peru, and looking to prepare for climbs in the 7,000m range like Aconcagua, Peak Lenin, Ama Dablam, or Lhakpa Ri.

If Illimani’s been on your radar, our Bolivia teams climb it the right way — small groups, efficient pacing, and guides who know the mountain well.

More info: https://alpenglowexpeditions.com/expedition/mountains-of-bolivia

12/09/2025

Two sides of Elbrus. Two very different worlds. On this episode of The Duffel Shuffle, Adrian breaks down the infrastructure-heavy south side versus the wild and remote north side—where you carry everything, move through ancient valleys, and pass through Karachay villages with deep roots in the land. Same summit, but completely different climbing experiences on Europe's tallest peak.

Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/mifWDqzJYQw

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