Is AMS a school or a guide service?
Can you have both at the same time? AMS likes to think of itself as a combination of the best qualities of both worlds. We love what we do, and while transferring as much of that knowledge to you is the goal of teaching, it also makes common sense when guiding in Alaska. Typically when one thinks of ‘guiding,’ there is a summit and everything you do supports reaching it. Instruction is way more dynamic, spontaineous, and has a broader goal to learn as much as possible. The two mind sets can work well together with talented staff. Alaskan expeditions tend to be multi-day, team-effort affairs. Emerging from a five day windstorm at high camp on Denali unscathed, well-fed, rested, energized, and ready to go for the summit is the result of good instruction and teamwork lower down on the mountain. If you do not come away from AMS with a better understanding of mountaineering, we have failed. Our job is the rewarding challenge of instructing in a dynamic and awesome environment. AMS instructo
