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.

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*Starting from prices, per person, in USD

Aconcagua Expedition

Price: $5800*

Mountaineers trekking toward Aconcagua under clear skies.
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

Argentina Mountaineering

Price: $4800*

Expedition campsite on a snowy ridge in the Andes.
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*

View of Cotopaxi Volcano Above the Clouds
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*

Climbers traversing a high alpine ridge in Nepal's Himalayan mountains
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*

Mountaineer roped in while climbing a narrow snow-filled gully.
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

Women’s Alaska Mountaineering Course

Price: $2400*

Mountaineering students practicing snow anchors during a glacier training session in Alaska.
On this women’s mountaineering guide training course, you’ll build the snow, rock, and ice skills needed to lead confidently in Alaska’s glaciated peaks. You’ll practice moving a team safely through crevassed terrain, climbing exposed rock ridgelines where the clouds can drop below your boots, and digging snow-pit profiles to evaluate avalanche conditions and make smart, defensible decisions in real time.
  • Destination: Flower Mtn / Nadahini Mtn
  • Activity: Mountaineering
  • Difficulty: 3 out of 5
  • Duration: 8, 12 days
  • Meeting Point: Haines, AK

*Starting from prices, per person, in USD