THE Pinnacle
ALASKA rANGE
Ski Mountaineering CAMP
The Next Frontier of
Summit Ski Camps
Welcome to the Alaska Range!
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​The Pinnacle Camp is all the expertise, community and mentorship that you have come to expect from Inspired Summit with the added inspiration of skiing amongst some of the largest mountains in the world.
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This unique camp is for experienced backcountry skiers who are looking to take it to the next level. The Alaska Range is glaciated and provides a huge variety of ski opportunities from steep couloirs to wide-open glaciers. There’s something to challenge anyone. Exactly where we end up in the Alaska Range depends on weather and snow conditions, as well as the interests and abilities of the group.
We will be winter camping, spending the nights in our comfortable base camp, and exploring some of the best skiing in North America by day.
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After flying into Anchorage, we head North toward Denali National Park. We’ll launch from Talkeetna in a ski plane and land on a glacier where we’ll set up a comfortable base camp from which to ski tour and climb in the biggest mountains in North America.
Curriculum
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Stability Evaluation for Ski Mountaineering
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Crevasse Rescue
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Glacial Travel
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Steep Skiing Techniques and Philosophy
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Uphill Ice axe and crampon techniques
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Self-arrest practice
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Basic Rope Work (harnesses and improvised harnesses, knots, basic belaying and rappelling)
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Ski Anchors
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Winter camping
Details
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7 Days 7 Nights
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All inclusive
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5 days of skiing on glacier
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Location: Alaska Range
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2:1 student to guide ratio
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Guides: AMGA/ IFMGA certified and Highly experienced
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$7955 per person
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*Max 6 participants total
What's Included
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2 Wasatch Prep days
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First night Lodging
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Airport Shuttle
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All transportation in Anchorage
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Ski Plane Flights
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Welcome Night Dinner
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All Meals on Glacier
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All group gear
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Tents
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Kitchen
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Setup of Base Camp
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2:1 Client to Guide ratio
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Ropes
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Belay Devices
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Carabiners
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Access to Technical gear rentals
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Access to exclusive partner discount codes
Who's This For?
Looking to take your ski mountaineering skills to the next level? The Pinnacle Ski camp takes our popular Summit Ski Mountaineering Camp to the next level. This is for the experienced backcountry skier looking to gain glacial ski experience and/or build upon their glacial ski skills. The terrain available ranges from steep couloirs, faces, and low angle powder fields. Conditions and group skill level will dictate the terrain available to the group.
Prerequisits
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​Completion of the Summit Ski Mountaineering camp (or submit skills assessment application.
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Approximately 50 days previous ski touring experience
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20 days skiing riding slopes 40 degree or steeper in variable snow conditions
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Ability to do consecutive 5k vert days
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Knowledge of basic knots and hitches
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Familiarity with using crampons and ice axe
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Previous winter camping experience
What Do I Bring?
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Ski crampons and boot crampons
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Ice Axe
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Light weight Mountaineering Harness
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Alpine touring equipment – rubber-soled AT boots with walk mode required,
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Pin-bindings strongly encouraged
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Splitboarding equipment – hard boot, “Dyna-split” style set up strongly encouraged
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Backcountry skiing clothing and equipment
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Sleeping bag
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Sleeping pad
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Ski/ Snowboard/ Mountaineering Helmet
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See Full Packing List here.
Logistics
The Pinnacle is about building our skills and experience while growing a community of ski mountaineers.
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The Pinnacle builds on the skills that are introduced in The Summit Ski Camp and it is highly recommended that participants who want to join the Pinnacle first attend our Summit Camp in Utah.
For those who have the previous skill set required and would like to bypass the Summit we require a written submission of your previous experience and a quick phone call to ensure your experience and goals line up with the camp.
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FAQ:
Where do I sleep?
Participants will arrive to pre-setup base camp kitchen. You will learn how to setup your mountaineering tents, and learn skills that go along with sleeping in snowy mountain-terrain.
What will the conditions be like?
We can't predict what the conditions will be like but we're hoping for a diurnal melt-freeze cycle which make for great ski objectives and easy spring travel. Or maybe even a spring storm cycle that will give us some fresh powder. It's Alaska, anything can happen!
Who are the guides?
Lead Guide Josh Jesper is an ex Navy Seal and certified IFMGA guide based in Colorado. He has been guiding in the Alaska Range and Beyond for over a decade. Shaun and Weston Deutschlander are AMGA Certified Ski Guides and have over 20 years of backcountry experience and have guided and skied in the Alaska Range, Valdez, Kenai, and Talkeeetna.
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What is the elevation of camp?
While we have many options for camp we will likely be camping around 5600'
Do you have other questions?
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