Mountaineering

IWLS mountaineering courses explore the world’s most remote and jagged mountain ranges! You will be able to sharpen your alpine climbing skills in mountain ranges around the world, from the high altitude peaks of South America to the world’s largest non-polar ice cap in coastal Alaska.

Imagine ice climbing on deep-blue glacial ice, teaching fellow participants about ascending a fixed line or scrambling up an exposed ridge with the sky beneath your feet! When you participate on IWLS mountaineering courses, you will visit the most incredible mountain ranges on the planet while learning how to be a competent leader in varied mountain terrain.

  • Topping out at 6500' in Southeast Alaska outside of Haines Topping out at 6500' in Southeast Alaska outside of Haines
  • Celebrating the summit north of Skagway near the White Pass Celebrating the summit north of Skagway near the White Pass
  • Great Basin National Park, Nevada offers remote wilderness mountaineering objectives Great Basin National Park, Nevada offers remote wilderness mountaineering objectives
  • Navigating an icefall during an expedition primer course in Alaska Navigating an icefall during an expedition primer course in Alaska
  • Breaking out above the clouds in Alaska Breaking out above the clouds in Alaska
     

Search Trips

*Starting from prices, per person, in USD

Aconcagua Expedition

Price: $5800*

This leadership & guide training course ventures into the central Andes to attempt a summit of Aconcagua. It is one of the seven summits and the highest peak outside of Asia reaching an altitude of 22,841'. This comprehensive expedition course focuses on teaching students to be safe, efficient, knowledgeable and confident outdoor leaders in a high altitude mountain environment.
  • Destination: Aconcagua
  • Activity: Mountaineering
  • Difficulty: 5 out of 5
  • Duration: 20 days
  • Meeting Point: Mendoza, Argentina

Alaska Mountaineering

Price: $2500*

On this guide training course, students will learn technical snow, rock and ice skills to lead in the glaciated peaks of Alaska. Learn to lead a group through a crevassed icefall, ascend rocky ridges where the clouds fall beneath your feet and dig a snow pit profile to assess the avalanche danger.
  • Destination: Flower Mtn / Nadahini Mtn
  • Activity: Mountaineering
  • Difficulty: 3 out of 5
  • Duration: 7, 12, 20 days
  • Meeting Point: Haines, AK

Argentina Mountaineering

Price: $4800*

This 20 day mountaineering leadership and guide training program ventures into a remote area of the central Andes. Students learn technical climbing and expedition skills while pursuing objectives and summits over 15,000'. This course blends solid technical training with high altitude medicine and awareness.
  • Destination: Penitentes, Central Andes
  • Activity: Mountaineering
  • Difficulty: 4 out of 5
  • Duration: 20 days
  • Meeting Point: Mendoza

Ecuador Mountaineering

Price: $7130*

Hone technical skills and develop high altitude leadership experience on the high Andean Volcanoes of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. From the vibrant metropolis of Quito, to the cloud forests of Banos, and to the soaring altitude of glaciated volcanoes, this 24 day course offers ideal high altitude international guide training.
  • Destination: Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Illiniza
  • Activity: Mountaineering
  • Difficulty: 5 out of 5
  • Duration: 24 days
  • Meeting Point: Quito, Ecuador

Nepal Mountaineering

Price: $8250*

The peaks of Lobuche, Imja Tse, and Mera offer a world class mountaineering classroom for students on an IWLS Nepal Mountaineering Course. You’ll set fixed lines, learn about high altitude medicine, and attempt to summit these incredible mountains.
  • Destination: Himalayan Range - Island Peak, Mera Peak & Lobuche East
  • Activity: Mountaineering
  • Difficulty: 4 out of 5
  • Duration: 40 days
  • Meeting Point: Kathmandu, Nepal

Utah/Nevada Mountaineering

Price: $3125*

Climb over 13,000' in Great Basin National Park. This seldom visited park is ideal to learn mountaineering and expedition skills in a remote wilderness environment. Avalanche assessments, winter camping techniques, and high altitude experience are core parts of the curriculum on this 12 day course.
  • Destination: Great Basin National Park, Nevada
  • Activity: Mountaineering
  • Difficulty: 3 out of 5
  • Duration: 12 days
  • Meeting Point: Salt Lake City, Utah

*Starting from prices, per person, in USD