100+ Duffel Bag(s)
A durable duffel bag (100-120L) made of tough material with rugged zippers for gear transport and storage. Can be used as checked luggage and for organizing gear at base locations.
11 Days
|
Skill Development
|
8695.00
|
$1,250
Deposit
|
Intermediate
An instructional alpine climbing program based out of Little Switzerland in Denali National Park and Preserve, combining skills development with summit attempts on the granite spires above Pika Glacier.
Day-by-day program overview.
Fitness, experience, and preparation.
Gear requirements for this program.
Meals and nutrition on the mountain.
Getting there and local logistics.
Booking, cancellations, and requirements.
Common questions, direct answers.
What climbers are saying.
A hands-on introduction to alpine climbing technique on ice, rock, and mixed terrain in one of the most striking settings in the Alaska Range.
Nine days of guided climbing and instruction in the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve, with summit attempts woven directly into the learning experience.
An ideal program for climbers ready to develop real alpine skills in a genuine mountain environment, with a 2:1 climber-to-guide ratio throughout.
I approached this purely as a learning opportunity and considered summits just a bonus. That being said I was extremely happy that we got to climb as much as we did. This really was my first exposure to outdoor rock climbing, and I have been trad climbing locally every weekend since :)
Paul W.
Little Switzerland sits above the Pika Glacier in Denali National Park and Preserve, surrounded by granite spires that offer an exceptional range of alpine terrain for climbers at this stage of their development. The area is remote, accessible only by ski plane, and compact enough that guides can move the team efficiently between objectives while keeping instruction focused and continuous. It is an unusually good classroom for alpine climbing, and RMI has structured this program specifically around what the terrain makes possible.
Alpine climbing combines snow, ice, rock, and glacier travel into a single style of movement, typically with lighter loads and faster transitions than expedition-style climbing. This program teaches that style directly, introducing route planning, ice and rock technique, belay and rappel systems, gear placement, and multi-pitch movement through guided climbs rather than lectures. Skills are introduced in context and reinforced through repetition as the team makes attempts on several summits over the course of the program.
The 2:1 climber-to-guide ratio is a defining feature of this program. It allows guides to provide consistent, individualized instruction throughout the climb rather than managing movement at the expense of teaching. For climbers building a technical foundation in alpine terrain, that ratio makes a meaningful difference in how much ground gets covered and how well it sticks.
Little Switzerland rewards climbers who are well-taught. The terrain above Pika Glacier offers genuine alpine objectives across a range of difficulty, but getting the most out of it requires guides who can move fluidly between instruction and execution, teaching systems in the morning and applying them on a summit attempt the same afternoon. RMI guides bring that capacity from years of expedition and alpine guiding across Alaska, the Himalayas, and the Andes, and this program is structured specifically to use it.
The 2:1 climber-to-guide ratio on this program is not incidental. It reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize instruction depth over group efficiency. At that ratio, guides can provide individualized feedback on technique, catch errors before they become habits, and adjust the day's objectives based on how the team is actually progressing. For climbers building a technical foundation in alpine terrain, the difference between a 4:1 and a 2:1 program is significant.
Risk management in a remote glacier environment like Little Switzerland requires the same preparation RMI brings to its larger Alaska programs. Guides carry comprehensive medical and communication equipment, hold wilderness medicine certifications and technical rescue training, and conduct thorough pre-climb planning for each objective. The area is accessible only by ski plane, and guide judgment on conditions, route selection, and team readiness drives every decision made on the mountain.
To learn more about RMI's guides and guiding philosophy, visit our About page.
All our climbs in Mt. Rainier & Denali National Parks are 100% carbon neutral. We have acquired offsets for greenhouse gas emissions through our partnership with Ostrom Climate, Canada's top carbon management solutions provider. Their carbon offset projects undergo rigorous verification by third parties to validate that emission reductions are genuine and permanent, ensuring that our contribution is making a tangible impact.
The program flies into Little Switzerland by ski plane on day two and spends nine days on the Pika Glacier, moving through progressive skills training, guided summit attempts, and participant-led climbs. The final day includes a flight back to Talkeetna before returning to Anchorage.
Anchorage, AK
~8,000' / 2,438 m
11 Days
3
6
12+ Hours
This program builds alpine climbing competency through progressive, terrain-based instruction over nine days on the Pika Glacier. Skills are introduced in structured sessions and immediately applied on real objectives, with the final days shifting responsibility to climbers to plan and lead routes independently.
By the end of the seminar, climbers will have practical experience with:
4:00 p.m.: Meet the guides at Anchorage International Airport (Domestic Terminal), carousel 1 in Alaska Airlines baggage claim.
Shuttle transportation to Talkeetna is included in the program. The shuttle leaves at 4:30 p.m.; the drive is about three hours, plus time for the stop below. The group will stop at a grocery store in Wasilla for the opportunity to purchase any fresh food you'd like to bring on the mountain. The team will arrive in Talkeetna at approximately 9:00 p.m. Overnight in Talkeetna.
7:00 a.m.: Team Breakfast Meeting
After a breakfast meeting we begin our training at the K2 Aviation hangar where the team will go through extensive personal equipment checks. Final recommendations and suggestions concerning gear will be made at that time. The team will plan meals and ready group food and equipment for the glacier flight. There will be an introduction to safety practices, including use of helmets, harnesses, and avalanche transceivers. Instruction regarding Leave No Trace practices and environmental considerations will be made as well. After all is made ready we begin shuttling members into the Pika Glacier in the heart of Little Switzerland, weather permitting. This spectacular scenic flight requires approximately 35 minutes, one way. Once at Little Switzerland Base Camp we build a mountain camp and kitchen and begin our alpine skills training by learning and reviewing knots, hitches and basic rope skills.
At Little Switzerland Base Camp we review the foundational glacier travel skills that allow travel and access to more varied terrain. Skills reviewed on this day include: knots, harness, carabiner and avalanche transceiver use, proper use of the ice axe for balance and self and team arrest, cramponing on moderate terrain, and the basics of roped glacier travel. We spend the afternoon learning how to construct a variety of anchors for use in belaying, rappelling, crevasse rescue and rock rescue.
Evening discussions take place throughout the seminar and cover a variety of mountaineering topics such as: mountain medicine and wellness, weather, route finding and navigation, route planning, self care and the art of climbing efficiently.
A moderate climbing objective is picked by the guides for the first summit attempt of the trip. We use the day of climbing to learn and discuss such skills as hazard recognition and management, route finding, terrain and running belays, and short rope techniques. Our goal is to apply these techniques on the route, have an adventurous and safe climb, and be back in camp by early afternoon. During the afternoon hours we will work on belaying skills; reviewing the basics and learning new methods for belaying a following or leading climber in an alpine setting.
Today we work on movement skills, gear placement, belaying, rappelling, and multi pitch climbing techniques needed for longer alpine ice routes.
We spend time on the high-quality granite found near Base Camp and work on movement skills, gear placement, and anchor construction. The evening is devoted to route planning for the next day's climbing objective.
A moderate climbing objective is picked by the guides for the second summit attempt of the trip. Our goal on this full day of climbing is to safely apply the skills we have learned to date.
In the morning the crevasses near camp will serve as our training ground for a variety of self and team rescue scenarios. In the afternoon we review skills and prepare for the next day's student led climbs.
With route plans, and our rock and ice gear in hand we head out for a day of climbing with the students taking the lead. Everyone will get a chance to be on the front of the rope, navigating through the crevasse fields, kicking steps up the snow gullies, determining the best climbing line and placing the protection.
Our last morning on the glacier is comprised of packing camp and moving back to the flight staging area. We fly from the Pika Glacier to Talkeetna for a celebratory dinner. Overnight in Talkeetna.
Morning transfer to Anchorage for afternoon flights. (Note: Return flights should be made to depart Anchorage one week after program end day to accommodate weather delays.)
You should arrive in solid physical condition and prepared to carry 25 to 40 pounds, move efficiently on glacier terrain, and sustain effort through summit days of 12 or more hours.
This program requires prior mountaineering experience including familiarity with ice axe and crampon use, team rope travel, and basic ice and rock climbing.
The program spends nine days on the Pika Glacier at moderate Alaska Range elevations; no formal acclimatization is required.
The Little Switzerland program is designed for climbers who have a foundational mountaineering background and are ready to develop technical alpine skills in a real mountain environment. This is not an introductory mountaineering program — it is an introduction to technical alpine climbing for climbers who already have a mountaineering foundation. Climbers should arrive comfortable on moderate snow and ice and familiar with basic rope systems, so that instruction can build on existing skills rather than establish them from scratch.
Technical prerequisites matter here because the program moves quickly. Guides introduce and reinforce skills through actual climbing, which means climbers who arrive underprepared will struggle to keep pace with the progression. You should be comfortable following alpine ice up to 80 degrees and alpine rock at 5.8 before arriving. The stronger your existing foundation, the more you will get out of nine days in this terrain.
Physically, the demands of this program are real but manageable with focused preparation. Pack weights are lighter than a full expedition program, but summit days are long and the terrain is technical. Training should emphasize aerobic endurance, uphill movement with a pack, and core strength for technical climbing movement.
Recommended climbing experiences include:
Skills Covered:
Builds technical mountaineering skills on steeper snow and ice while reinforcing expedition-style systems and movement.
Skills Covered:
Experience with moderate glacier travel, steep snow and ice climbing (40-50 degrees), exposed 5th class alpine rock climbing, technical transitions, and sustained movement on committing ridge terrain in a remote North Cascades environment.
Skills Covered:
Experience with sustained technical rock climbing, moderate glacier navigation across multiple glaciers, low 5th class movement on exposed terrain, and multi-day high camp operations on committing North Cascades routes.
Skills Covered:
Application of steep snow and alpine ice climbing skills on a sustained, classic Cascade route.
Your climbing resumé should include:
Familiarity with ice axe technique and crampon use*
Team rope travel on glaciated terrain*
Ice axe self-arrest and team arrest*
Completion of a basic ice climbing course*
Comfortable following alpine ice up to 80 degrees*
Comfortable following alpine rock at 5.8*
Belay and rappel experience
Prior multi-day mountaineering seminar or equivalent
Items marked with an Asterix (*) are considered mandatory prerequisites for this program.
Mountaineering places sustained demands on your body and your ability to stay composed under effort. Even very fit people find that moving uphill with weight, for long hours, in variable weather is a different kind of challenge than most everyday training.
Preparation matters. Fitness directly affects how well you move, how much you learn, how the team functions, and how enjoyable the experience is overall.
Start early. Begin training well in advance of your program with the goal of arriving rested, resilient, and confident in your capacity for sustained effort.
Train intentionally. Emphasize aerobic endurance, uphill movement, and strength that supports long days on your feet. Core stability, balance, and mobility all play an important role in efficiency and injury prevention.
Train specifically. The closer you get to your program date, the more your training should resemble the demands of mountaineering: hiking uphill with weight, moving steadily for hours, and recovering well enough to do it again the next day.
Across RMI programs, strong preparation typically means being comfortable with long days of continuous movement, carrying a pack appropriate to the objective, and maintaining focus and decision-making when tired. Technical skills are taught or reviewed as appropriate to each program, but fitness is something you bring with you.
Nothing contributes more to a successful and rewarding experience than arriving well prepared. Plan to be in excellent physical condition and ready for a demanding day in the mountains.
Our guides have decades of experience training for alpine objectives, and we've done our best to put together relevant resources to help you with your expedition preparation.
Develop your aerobic base for endurance, strength, and performance in alpine environments with RMI’s expert guidance. Level up your training today.
Fitness & Training
Fueling Long-Duration Climbs with Enhanced Fat Metabolism
Fitness & Training
Strengthen your mountaineering training with a community of like-minded climbers who motivate and share the journey. Join us and explore.
Rainier
A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting Your Own Progressive, Goal-Oriented Program
Fitness & Training
Mountaineering is both an individual challenge and a team endeavor. Before any program begins, RMI works directly with prospective climbers to confirm that everyone joining a team is genuinely prepared for the demands ahead. Depending on the program, this may involve conversations with our office staff, a review of your climbing history, or feedback from guides and other climbers who know your abilities. The goal is straightforward: to ensure that every person on the rope belongs there. We ask that each climber hold themselves to the same standard:
The standards we set exist to protect everyone on the team. RMI holds all climbers accountable to them, and we take seriously our responsibility to build teams of people who are ready to be in the mountains together. RMI reserves the right to remove a participant from a program or send them to a lower altitude if our guide staff determines, in their sole discretion, that the participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared or capable of participating, or for any other reason that may compromise the safety, health, or well-being of the participant or the group. In such cases, no refunds or credits will be issued, and the participant will be financially responsible for any additional costs associated with an early departure, including evacuation, transportation, lodging, and meals.
The Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland program takes place on glacier and technical alpine terrain in a remote area of Denali National Park and Preserve, accessible only by ski plane. This gear list reflects the demands of that environment: nine days of ice, rock, and mixed climbing with no resupply and no access to outside support once the team is on the Pika Glacier. Every required item on the list must be present and functional before the team flies in.
Pack weights on this program are lighter than a full expedition, but the technical nature of the climbing means the quality and fit of your gear matters as much as the weight of it. Ill-fitting crampons, worn rock shoes, or an undersized harness will affect your performance on the route. Guides conduct a thorough gear check in Talkeetna before the glacier flight. If you have questions about specific items or want guidance before your program date, contact the RMI office directly.
Each RMI program includes a required personal equipment list built around the specific terrain, conditions, and objectives of the climb. Every item serves a purpose and supports safety, efficiency, and comfort in the mountains.
Guide Picks™ are examples that meet our performance standards and illustrate the type of gear we recommend. Each year, our partners at Whittaker Mountaineering survey our staff of 70+ guides to get a consensus on the best gear for the job. You do not need to purchase the exact item shown, but any alternative must offer comparable function and durability.
All listed items are required for the gear check. Final adjustments may be recommended by your guide based on conditions and team needs once the expedition begins.
Most of the required equipment is available for rent or purchase from our affiliate Whittaker Mountaineering. RMI climbers receive a 10% discount on new clothing and equipment items ordered from Whittaker Mountaineering.
A lightweight 100+ liter duffel to transport gear in your sled. This bag does not need to be waterproof. This can also be used as your second checked bag on your flight to Alaska.
We recommend a bag rated between 20° and 0° F. Allow ample room for movement. We recommend down over synthetic for its light weight, warmth, and packability. If you know you sleep cold, consider a 0° F bag.
10- or 12-point adjustable steel crampons with anti-balling plates for general mountaineering and glacier travel. Automatic, semi-automatic, or strap-on attachment depending on boot compatibility. Ensure crampons are compatible with your specific boots before your program.
Approximately 12-20 inches each for securing gear and equipment.
Select a short to medium length model of snowshoe- 22" is an ideal size. Team members are more often 'drafting' as opposed to actually breaking trail, so it is not necessary to have a longer pair. You will log miles of roped glacier travel while wearing snowshoes, so spend some time walking in them prior to the trip. We highly recommend models with a heel lift, which makes uphill travel significantly easier.
Glacier glasses are protective sunglasses that provide close to 100% frame coverage (wrap-around frames and side shields ensure no light can enter from the top, bottom, and sides of the glasses) and transmit less than 10% of visual light.
We recommend a minimum of five upper body layers, all of which can be used in conjunction with each other. Two of these should be insulating layers, one light, and one medium, that fit well together. Today there are many different layering systems to choose from, including fleece, softshell, down, and synthetic options.
A lightweight, breathable long-sleeve shirt in synthetic or merino wool for sun protection and moisture management during active climbing.
One step up in warmth and bulk from a baselayer. A technical fleece makes an ideal light weight insulating layer.
An insulated jacket or softshell for warmth during low-output activity and extended rest breaks. Should fit over baselayers and midlayers, and under a shell.
An expedition-style down parka that extends below the waist with an insulated hood, designed to fit over all other layers. Worn primarily in camp, during rest breaks, and on summit day. Down fill recommended over synthetic.
We recommend a system of four layers, all of which can be used in conjunction with each other. Products which combine several layers into one garment, such as traditional ski pants, don’t work well as they don’t offer the versatility of a layering system.
Lightweight synthetic or merino wool baselayer bottoms for moisture management and temperature regulation during active climbing.
Softshell climbing pants can be worn in combination with a base layer on colder days, or alone on warmer days.
Non-insulated, waterproof shell pants must be able to fit comfortable over your baselayer bottoms and softshell climbing pants. Full side zippers or 7/8 side zippers are required so that shell pants can be put on while wearing boots and crampons.
A pair of lightweight, insulated pants are ideal for extra warmth on summit day and cold days at camps. Full-length side zippers are required for facilitating quick clothing adjustments over boots.
Great for traveling and wearing around town or camp. A pair of tennis shoes or light hikers works well.
Either wool or synthetic. Whatever sock combination you are accustomed to wearing during your training or previous adventures (whether single medium weight socks, a medium weight with a liner sock, two medium weight socks together, etc.), should work just fine for this climb.
We recommend you speak with your physician about which medications you should have for high-altitude climbing. These medications are only used in emergency situations, and if someone is showing symptoms of HAPE or HACE, our standard protocol is for immediate descent. We do not take any of these medications prophylactically, and please talk with your guide before taking medications.
We require each climber to have the following medications:
125mg tablets for the prevention or treatment of Acute Mountain Sickness. A normal prescription is 125mg tablets, twice a day. Recommend 15 - 20 tablets.
Our guides carry comprehensive medical kits, so keep yours small and light. We recommend a selection of adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, Moleskin and blister care, medical tape and/or duct tape, basic pain reliever, and personal medications.
You are responsible for providing your own meals and snack food in town and while on your program. See the Food tab for suggestions and quantities.
Heavy-duty trash compacter bags for use as waterproof pack/stuff sack liners. You can also use a waterproof pack liner.
Books, magazines, or a journal for downtime at camp; a Kindle or similar e-reader is a practical alternative for longer expeditions where weight and bulk matter. Choose based on program length and personal preference.
A small container of moisturizer to prevent skin dryness at altitude and in cold, low-humidity environments. Bring a travel-size bottle that fits easily in your pack.
Disposable or reusable ear plugs for sleeping in shared tent or hut accommodations.
Spare prescription glasses if you wear contact lenses/eyeglasses.
A lightweight sleeping mask for blocking light in shared tent or hut accommodations and during extended daylight hours at high latitudes.
Many smartphones have excellent cameras. Action cameras, small point-and-shoots, and compact dSLRs are lightweight and work well at altitude.
A small power bank, enough to charge a phone or e-reader several times.
We recommend bringing a selection of clothing to wear while traveling, sightseeing and dining.
If Glacier Glasses are not required, regular sunglasses will suffice on this program.
Purchase travel insurance.
Purchase airplane tickets.
Reserve rental equipment.
Be in the best shape of your life!
RMI provides the following equipment for your program: tents, stoves, group cooking equipment, fuel, shovels, climbing ropes, climbing anchors, sleds, and avalanche probes.
Every guide on your climb will carry rescue equipment and a first aid kit. Each climb has two-way radios and a satellite phone for emergency contact.
Each member will have a sled for use during the program. Sleds aid in transporting loads between camps on the lower mountain.
Comfortably sized for all day wearing (even with thin socks) rock climbing shoes are the best option.
On the Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland program you will need 9 mountain lunches. All of your mountain lunch items should weigh 7+ lb.
Breakfast and dinner meals on the mountain are included in your program cost. You are responsible for all meals while we are off the mountain.
Mountain lunches are eaten during short breaks throughout the day. We continually snack to keep our energy levels up while we climb - lunch begins just after breakfast and ends just before dinner! Avoid packing any items that require preparation or hot water.
The importance of having foods that are genuinely enjoyed cannot be overstated. Eating properly is the key to maintaining strength while in the mountains. In order to combat the loss of appetite at altitude we aim to have a variety of foods that stimulate the whole palate, from sweet to sour to salty.
Recommended mountain lunch items: bagels, tortillas, crackers (Wheat Thins, Triscuits), hummus, Pringles, corn nuts, smoked almonds, roasted cashews, GORP mix (peanuts, M&M's, sunflowers seeds, raisins, etc), smoked salmon, fresh veggies (carrots), salami, pepperoni, cheese (pepper jack, Swiss, cheddar), jerky, candy (sweet and sour varieties), chocolate bars, hard candies, energy bars (Cliff, Luna), dried fruits (apricots, pineapple, pear), and drink mixes (Gatorade/Kool-Aid).
Perishable food items may be purchased at a grocery store en-route to Talkeetna; you should have the bulk of lunch items already purchased and packed.
Breakfasts consist of fresh food (bagels, cream cheese), bacon and eggs, instant oatmeal, instant grits, cold cereal (granola), breakfast bars, and hot drinks.
Nine man-days of food are carried on the mountain, which can be stretched in the event of bad weather.
The dinner menu is a combination of fresh food (vegetables, tortillas, cheese), retort entrees (fully cooked meals packaged in sealed containers and heated in hot water), freeze-dried entrees (Mountain House or Alpine Air), and packaged main course items (ramen, Lipton Rice or Noodles, macaroni and cheese). Various hot drinks (tea and cocoa) and dessert are also provided.
Every attempt is made to assure a variety and adequate quantity.
This page covers the practical details you’ll want to review before your trip, including travel logistics, entry requirements, local considerations, and required policies. Taking time to understand these details ahead of departure helps ensure a smoother experience once you’re on the ground and focused on the climb.
Climbers need to arrive at Anchorage International Airport (ANC) by 3:30 p.m. on Day 1 of the program. The group will meet at 4:00 p.m., Alaska Airlines domestic baggage claim, carousel #1.
If your flight cannot arrive in Anchorage before 3:30 p.m. it will be necessary to arrive a day earlier and go to the airport to meet the team.
We have found it works well to book a one-way flight to Anchorage, AK, for the beginning of your trip, then scheduling your return flight once the team returns to Talkeetna. Another option is to book a flight with a flexible return date. This works better than an open-ended ticket or missing an early return date.
Note: Every air traveler 18 years of age and older needs a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.
We will arrange a transfer from Anchorage to Talkeetna at 4:30 p.m. the day your program begins. Please arrive in Anchorage no later than 3:30 p.m. Talkeetna is a three-hour drive from Anchorage. If you are traveling to Talkeetna on your own, please let RMI know in advance that you will not require transportation.
If you are arriving in Anchorage the day before your program begins, below are some hotel options close to the Anchorage Airport:
Your travel insurance policy should include trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay, baggage loss or delay, medical expenses, and evacuation.
Navigating through the different options for travel insurance can be challenging. When purchasing Travel Insurance, here are a few items to consider:
In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer Travelex Insurance protection plans to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected.
For more information on the available plans visit Travelex Insurance Services or contact Travelex Insurance (800) 228-9792 and reference location number 47-0370.
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York). RETWEB
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance is travel insurance designed for adventurers, including the best evacuation and rescue services available.
Benefits are tailored for adventurers and include:
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance is powered by Redpoint Resolutions, a medical and travel security risk company. Their team is comprised of special operations veterans, paramedics, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, former intelligence officers, insurance actuaries and global security experts with dozens of years of experience in theaters around the world. The Redpoint network covers the globe, making them uniquely equipped to provide elite rescue travel insurance – in every sense of the word. Whether it’s reimbursing you for a cancelled trip, paying your travel medical bills or evacuating you home in an emergency, Ripcord takes the worry out of your travel.
RMI has partnered with Erin Rountree to provide travel planning support. Erin is an independent agent with extensive experience booking travel for adventure programs worldwide and understands the specific needs of RMI expeditions.
Phone: (208) 788-2870
Email: [email protected]
It is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance policy provides appropriate coverage for your specific program and activities. Review policy details carefully before purchasing, and confirm coverage well in advance of your departure.
Mt. McKinley's weather forecast is updated through the National Weather Service.
Our guides put considerable effort into ensuring your wellbeing and success on the mountain. If you had a positive experience, leaving a gratuity is a wonderful gesture to show your appreciation. The amount is up to you and should reflect how much you enjoyed the service. Typically, tips for excellent service range from 10% to 15% of the program cost. Guides can accept gratuities in cash, Venmo, or by check. If you prefer, you can also pay tips using a credit card through the RMI Office.
Mountaineering is replete with literary accounts of high adventure in Alaska. For aspiring Mt. McKinley climbers, certain historical narratives, as well as how-to guide books, can prove both entertaining and educational, significantly adding to ones enjoyment of the expedition.
The list below represents some personal favorites, from over three decades of guiding in Alaska. I particularly enjoy the story of the first winter ascent: Minus 148 degrees!
Whether you are challenging the West Buttress, learning crevasse rescue on the lower Kahiltna Glacier, or rock climbing in Little Switzerland, these titles will greatly enhance your experience and appreciation of Alaska!
- Joe Horiskey
The following policies are applicable for this expedition.
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. reserves the right to modify the land cost of a trip at any time before departure.
Deposit Payments: A non-refundable deposit payment of $1,250 per person secures your reservation.
Balance Payments: The balance payment is due 120 days before the start of your program.
*There is a 3% surcharge on all credit/debit card transactions.
**Wire transfers must include all fees charged by your bank. The amount received by our bank must match the deposit amount.
The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
We do not offer refunds. Please remember this before registering for this program. Due to the time-sensitive nature of this program, no exceptions will be made to the cancellation policy.
Date changes are subject to availability and can only be applied to the current climbing season. Changes must be requested at least 90 days before the departure date and will incur a $200 fee per person. No date changes are allowed within 90 days of departure.
Please clearly understand that mountaineering is inherently hazardous. Managing risk is RMI’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in mountaineering, but they cannot eliminate them. Objective hazards include rockfall, icefall, avalanches, slides or falls by individuals and rope teams on steeper slopes, weather-related problems including cold, heat, high winds, and other unnamed dangers that can occur while climbing.
You are choosing to engage in an activity in which guided and non-guided climbers have been injured or killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risks and hazards of mountaineering and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in this activity.
Mountaineering is both an individual challenge and a team endeavor. Each Participant is required to share in the responsibility of the safety and success of the team. For this reason, we ask that each Participant:
RMI reserves the right to dismiss the Participant from a program or to send the Participant to a lower altitude at any time if the RMI Guide Staff determines, in its sole discretion, that the Participant is not physically, technically, or psychologically prepared for or capable of participating in the program or for any other reason that may compromise the safety, health or well-being of the Participant or the entire group. If this decision is made, the Participant will not receive any refunds or credits and will be financially responsible for any additional costs associated with an early departure, including but not limited to, evacuation, transportation, hotels, meals, etc.
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) does not tolerate harassment or mistreatment of our participants or employees. Inappropriate conduct under this policy may include conduct that creates a disrespectful, intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for a participant or employee. Engaging in such conduct is a violation of this policy.
RMI may consider conduct to violate the policy even if it falls short of unlawful harassment under applicable law. When determining whether conduct violates this policy, we will consider whether a reasonable person could conclude that the conduct created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or demeaning environment.
Violation of this policy may result in removal from a program, as well as refusal to provide services indefinitely. We place the utmost value on the safety of our participants and employees. Please report any incidents to RMI management.
All participants must be 18 years old at the time of registration.
RMI’s Photo Release outlines the terms and conditions for using your likeness in photographs, videos, or other digital media.
I hereby grant Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. (RMI) or its affiliates permission to use my likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of its publications, including web-based publications. By granting permission, you allow RMI to utilize these media for lawful purposes.
Here are the key points:
RMI cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit. Weather, route conditions, your own abilities, or the abilities of other climbers may create circumstances that make an ascent unsafe, and you or your entire group may have to turnaround without reaching the summit.
Failure to reach the summit due to a person’s own lack of fitness or to any of the events associated with mountaineering (such as weather, route conditions, avalanche hazard, team dynamics, etc.), are not Rainier Mountaineering, Inc.’s responsibility and will not result in a refund, credit, or reschedule.
RMI’s program schedule and itineraries are subject to change or adjustment based on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, route conditions, weather, group strength, terrain, or other environmental factors, and many other factors. RMI has complete discretion to change plans to accommodate any of these or other factors, including but not limited to, increases in program fees, changes to program schedule or itinerary, and changes to guides or staff, as necessary for the proper and safe conduct of the program. Once the program has started, the Lead Guide will decide on any changes to the itinerary, including ending the program early if the continuation of the program may compromise the safety, health, or well-being of the group.
We reserve the right to cancel any program due to inadequate signups, weather, route conditions, or for any other reason. In such a case, we will make every effort to reschedule the Participant on a different program date. If rescheduling is not possible, we will issue the Participant a refund for all program fees paid to RMI, less any non-refundable payments made on behalf of the Participant to secure any of the included land costs provided for this program, including but not limited to, hotel accommodations, transportation, transfers, tours, group equipment and food, permits, and local outfitter services, prior to the cancellation of the program. Additionally, RMI cannot be responsible for any non-refundable expenses the Participant incurred in preparation for the program (i.e., airline tickets, hotel reservations, rental cars, equipment purchases or rentals, etc.).
Once a program begins, there are no refunds or credits for weather-related cancellations or for a program that may end early due to weather, route conditions, or any other circumstances that may compromise the health, safety, or well-being of the group. Furthermore, if the Participant decides for any reason not to begin a program or discontinue a program at any time, no refunds or credits will be issued. The Participant will be responsible for all additional costs associated with an early departure, including but not limited to evacuation, transportation, hotel reservations, meals, etc.
Land Costs are provided as a package, and refunds or credits will not be issued for any unused meals, accommodations, group transportation, or other unused costs. Accommodations are based on double occupancy. A Single Supplement Fee will be charged to those Participants occupying single accommodations either by choice or circumstance. If you are willing to share a room, we will make every effort to pair you with another same-gender team member. We will match willing same-gender team members based on the order of registration date. If we are unable to match you with another same- gender team member, a single supplement fee will be charged. The availability of single accommodations is limited in most of the hotels where we stay, and single accommodations are not available while in the mountains.
The Participant understands and agrees that RMI assumes no responsibility or liability in connection with any travel and hospitality services provided to the Participant by other companies in connection with the program, including but not limited to, the services provided by airlines, hotels, rental cars, and transportation companies. In addition, RMI is not responsible for any act, error, omission, or any injury, loss, accident, delay, irregularity, or danger by a supplier of travel or hospitality services to the Participant in connection with the RMI program. The Participant will be responsible for all costs associated with any travel delays, missed connections, or missing baggage that requires additional arrangements (separate transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, etc.) to be made on your behalf for you or your baggage to rejoin the program.
The Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland program raises questions that are specific to technical alpine instruction in a remote glacier environment. The answers below address how the program is structured, what climbers should expect from nine days on the Pika Glacier, and how to prepare for the technical and physical demands of alpine climbing in the Alaska Range.
The Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland program maintains a 2:1 climber-to-guide ratio throughout. This ratio is central to how instruction is delivered, allowing guides to provide consistent, individualized feedback during both training days and summit attempts.
The program moves through progressive stages: foundational skills and glacier travel in the early days, dedicated ice and rock climbing sessions in the middle of the program, guided summit attempts woven throughout, and participant-led climbs near the end. The final day includes packing camp and flying back to Talkeetna.
Flights to Pika Glacier are operated by K2 Aviation and are weather dependent. If conditions prevent the glacier flight on Day 2, the team will wait in Talkeetna until flying is possible. Return flights from Anchorage should be booked to depart at least one week after the program's scheduled end date to accommodate potential weather delays.
Climbers must arrive at Anchorage International Airport by 3:30 p.m. on Day 1. The group meets at 4:00 p.m. at the Alaska Airlines domestic baggage claim, carousel 1. Shuttle transportation to Talkeetna is included and departs at 4:30 p.m.
After gear checks and preparation in Talkeetna on Day 2, the team flies to Pika Glacier via ski plane with K2 Aviation. The flight takes approximately 35 minutes one way and is one of the more memorable parts of the program.
Return flights should be booked to depart Anchorage no earlier than one week after the program's scheduled end date. Weather delays affecting glacier flights are common in Alaska, and an inflexible return ticket creates real risk of missing your flight home.
The team stops at a grocery store in Wasilla en route to Talkeetna on Day 1 for any last-minute fresh food purchases. There is no reliable place to purchase gear in Talkeetna, so all equipment should be sourced and tested before arriving in Alaska.
You should arrive in solid physical condition and prepared for summit days of 12 or more hours on technical alpine terrain. Training should emphasize aerobic endurance, uphill movement with a pack, and core strength for technical climbing. Pack weights on this program run 25 to 40 pounds.
Climbers should be comfortable following alpine ice up to 80 degrees and alpine rock at 5.8, and should have prior experience with ice axe technique, crampon use, and basic rope systems. This is not an introductory mountaineering program — it is an introduction to technical alpine climbing for climbers who already have a mountaineering foundation. Guides build on existing skills rather than establish them from scratch.
Familiarity with glacier travel and team rope travel is expected before arriving. Day 3 reviews foundational glacier skills, but climbers who have never traveled roped on a glacier will find the pace challenging.
The program covers glacier travel, alpine ice, and high-quality granite rock in the Little Switzerland area above Pika Glacier. The terrain offers a wide range of moderate and enjoyable objectives well-suited to progressive instruction and summit attempts.
The program includes at least two guided summit attempts, on Day 4 and Day 7, with objectives selected by guides based on conditions, team readiness, and the skills covered to that point. Day 9 includes participant-led climbs where climbers plan and execute routes with guides in support.
Summit days are full days of climbing, typically 12 or more hours. Guides select moderate objectives appropriate to the team's skill level and use the day to apply and reinforce techniques covered in training sessions. The emphasis is on safe, purposeful climbing rather than pushing limits.
Objectives are selected to be challenging but appropriate for climbers at this stage of development. Ice routes and rock routes are moderate, with guides adjusting objectives based on team progression and conditions throughout the program.
On Day 9, climbers take the lead on route planning and execution, with guides in a supporting role. Everyone gets time at the front of the rope, navigating crevasse fields, placing protection, and making route decisions. It is a practical test of the skills developed throughout the program.
Weather in the Alaska Range is variable and can change quickly. Climbers should be prepared for a full range of conditions, from clear and warm to wind, precipitation, and reduced visibility. Weather significantly influences daily objectives and the glacier flight schedule.
Guides assess weather, route conditions, and team readiness each morning before selecting the day's objective. Instruction days may shift to different terrain or activities based on conditions. Flexibility is built into the program structure to account for Alaska's unpredictability.
The program is structured with enough flexibility to absorb weather days without losing the core instructional progression. If extended weather prevents climbing, guides use the time for evening discussions, skills review, and preparation for upcoming objectives.
Instruction is woven directly into the climbing rather than delivered in formal classroom blocks. Skills are introduced in focused sessions and immediately applied on real terrain, with guides providing feedback throughout. Evening discussions cover topics including mountain medicine, weather, route finding, and expedition decision-making.
The program blends both throughout. Early days emphasize skill building, while the middle and later days shift toward applying those skills on summit objectives. By Day 9, climbers are leading routes themselves. The structure is deliberately progressive, with each day building on what came before.
The Little Switzerland program builds a strong foundation in alpine technique across ice, rock, and mixed terrain. Climbers who complete the program with solid fundamentals will be well-positioned to pursue more technical alpine objectives, including routes in the Alaska Range and beyond.
Guides conduct thorough pre-climb planning for each objective, assess conditions continuously throughout the day, and carry comprehensive medical and communication equipment including satellite phones and two-way radios. All guides hold wilderness medicine certifications and technical rescue training. The remote nature of the Pika Glacier makes guide judgment on conditions and team readiness the primary risk management tool.
Guides are trained in remote medicine and carry comprehensive medical kits. In the event of a serious injury or medical emergency, guides can coordinate with the National Park Service and K2 Aviation for evacuation. Response will depend on the nature of the situation and current weather conditions.
Avalanche transceiver use is introduced on Day 2 and reviewed throughout the program. Guides conduct ongoing hazard assessment throughout the program and factor avalanche conditions into daily objective selection and route planning.
Climbers rated RMI with an average of 5 stars across 0 ratings
Climber reviews of the Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland program consistently reflect the impact of learning technical alpine skills in a genuine mountain environment. Participants highlight the quality of instruction, the exceptional terrain above Pika Glacier, and the progression from foundational training to leading their own routes by the end of the program. For many climbers, nine days in Little Switzerland represents a significant step forward in their technical development and confidence on alpine terrain.
June 22, 2017
Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland
Food was great. Guides were great. The flexibility the guides showed to manage around bad weather days and keep things interesting was awesome.
Mike M
June 22, 2017
Food was great. Guides were great. The flexibility the guides showed to manage around bad weather days and keep things interesting was awesome.
Additional Comments
This was one of the best guided climbing trips I've taken. The food was outstanding! Chase and Elias went the extra mile to buy and prepare fresh meals daily and that made a huge difference to me and the other climbers. I told them both that based on the food alone I would choose RMI before a competitor when I have a choice.
What did you enjoy most?
Food was great. Guides were great. The flexibility the guides showed to manage around bad weather days and keep things interesting was awesome.
What needs improvement?
The only thing I'd recommend would be to tailor the equipment list for alpine climbing instead of using a generic Alaska list.
August 17, 2016
Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland
The guides and team were just fun to be around. The instruction was top notch and I'm now very competent on smaller objectives in the lower 48.
Will G
August 17, 2016
The guides and team were just fun to be around. The instruction was top notch and I'm now very competent on smaller objectives in the lower 48.
Additional Comments
The transfer from the Anchorage to Talkeetna was ridiculous...
What did you enjoy most?
The guides and team were just fun to be around. The instruction was top notch and I'm now very competent on smaller objectives in the lower 48.
June 12, 2015
Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland
I approached this purely as a learning opportunity and considered summits just a bonus. That being said I was extremely happy that we got to climb as much as we did. This really was my first exposure to outdoor rock climbing, and I have been trad climbing locally every weekend since :)
Paul W
June 12, 2015
I approached this purely as a learning opportunity and considered summits just a bonus. That being said I was extremely happy that we got to climb as much as we did. This really was my first exposure to outdoor rock climbing, and I have been trad climbing locally every weekend since :)
Additional Comments
Equipment list was ok. Certainly some more experience on my part could have compensated for what was lacking in terms of detail and information. Would have been helpful to know explicitly that we were "plane camping". Gear list seemed to be much more geared toward an expedition style trip.
Additional Comments
Guides did a great job of making the most of the weather and conditions that we were had. I have done some reading since the trip, and it seems like climbing conditions for this type of trip are generally better slightly later in the year.
What did you enjoy most?
I approached this purely as a learning opportunity and considered summits just a bonus. That being said I was extremely happy that we got to climb as much as we did. This really was my first exposure to outdoor rock climbing, and I have been trad climbing locally every weekend since :)
What needs improvement?
As mentioned above, possibly just refine the gear list and push the trip back maybe a month or so. Overall, I have come in contact with 7 RMI guides on 2 trips and couldn't be happier with the instruction.
May 26, 2015
Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland
Great guides and scenery. I got to see the Alaska range and get some valuable experience on what is like to be in the range and trying to get technical climbs in. I think the seminar accomplished the objective in having the clients gain confidence to head out into the alpine on their own trips.
Jonathan F
May 26, 2015
Great guides and scenery. I got to see the Alaska range and get some valuable experience on what is like to be in the range and trying to get technical climbs in. I think the seminar accomplished the objective in having the clients gain confidence to head out into the alpine on their own trips.
Additional Comments
The website made it annoying to change payment type as I couldn't get a wired transfer to work and needed to change to mail-in check. It would be nice if the comment board would automatically send an email if there is a new post.Why did you give your guides 50 meter 9.9mm sport ropes? We were in an alpine environment, use twins or doubles. It was a pain to repel with a reverso off of thick ropes with the setup Elias had.The equipment list was a joke considering an experienced guide company put it together and I honestly expected better. First, for a trip involving technical climbing, why leave out belay devices and runners unless RMI wants to give those out for free? Second, why include expedition seminar items when we aren't doing anything remotely like what they do? I didn't need accessory cord, I didn't need bungee cords, I didn't need an ascender. Third, for a trip where we set up camp a couple hundred feet away from the airstrip it would of been nice to tell us we can bring a couple extra items within reason. I would of brought an extra pair of lightweight gloves and maybe a third straight shaft tool for easier plunging and self-arrest. Fifth, I think a pair lightweight technical mountaineering boots like Trango boots, should of been added (not in lieu of the primary boot of course); I could handle climbing mid class 5 rock in double boots but not everyone else in my party was as comfortable. A pair technical boots would of been a wiser choice in that situation. Also I question whether double boots were needed in Little Switzerland, the temperatures weren't getting that cold and I think if I had a pair of Baturas I could of stayed comfortable.I would be more forgiving of the equipment list if the updates that happened over the past seven months were more related to the program and not to show the latest products that Whittaker Mountaineering has in stock. Does RMI want their clients outfitted appropriately or to make sure their side business gets a share of the client money? This business first mentality has made think a little less of RMI. I'm sorry if the Eddie Bauer kit doesn't sell itself.
Additional Comments
Haven't eaten so well since moving out of my parents' house! Would of given it a 10 if it wasn't for the Dinty Moore stew packets (beef stew wasn't that great but the ravioli was and Sriracha couldn't save the dehydrated eggs).I can't really knock the itinerary because it is hard to have one set in stone when the weather could be iffy. Though I think the time of the year was inappropriate even if the Supertopo says mid-May could work. Again I think a guide company shouldn't schedule a once year program on the beginning edge of the season.
What did you enjoy most?
Great guides and scenery. I got to see the Alaska range and get some valuable experience on what is like to be in the range and trying to get technical climbs in. I think the seminar accomplished the objective in having the clients gain confidence to head out into the alpine on their own trips.
What needs improvement?
Get your equipment lists sorted out.
May 20, 2015
Alpine Climbing - Little Switzerland
I loved the friendship I developed with the guides and other members of the trip. I wouldn't trade my conversations and experiences with them for anything. The guides created such a positive atmosphere it was impossible not to enjoy it.
Taylor B
May 20, 2015
I loved the friendship I developed with the guides and other members of the trip. I wouldn't trade my conversations and experiences with them for anything. The guides created such a positive atmosphere it was impossible not to enjoy it.
Additional Comments
My only real complaint is with the equipment list. While I had everything I needed I also had some things I didn't. It just felt like a lot of the things on the list were copied from the alaska seminar and some of those things don't really apply for this seminar (ascender, bungee cords). Also some additional things were missing from the equipment list. (belay device).
Additional Comments
We had some meals twice and sometimes I didn't feel like there was enough food. But the guides were keen to make sure I had eaten enough. I simply didn't speak up for 3rds or 4ths because I wanted everyone to have enough. But this is only a minor complaint. In general the food was great.
What did you enjoy most?
I loved the friendship I developed with the guides and other members of the trip. I wouldn't trade my conversations and experiences with them for anything. The guides created such a positive atmosphere it was impossible not to enjoy it.
Sorry! there are no available dates that meet your current criteria
You might consdier one of these trips instead:
Mt. Rainier - Four Day Climb
May 5, 2026
Guides: Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel, Calvin Jiricko
Mt McKinley - West Buttress Expedition
May 5, 2026
Mt. Rainier - Four Day Climb
May 5, 2026
Additional Comments
RMI seems to stay a step ahead of the competition in most of these areas and it makes the process much easier. I do think the equipment list for this trip needs to be revised though. The current list is more Denali oriented than it should be for alpine climbing.