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Denali Benefit Climb!

Every now and then you have the opportunity to do good work.

We are thrilled to announce that we are donating all proceeds from our April 18th, 2010 Denali climb to a small, non-profit school for kids with special needs.

The Piedra Learning Community is very special to us at Mountain Trip, as MT co-owner, Todd Rutledge's son attends their program, which provides an alternative education for kids with Sensory Processing Disorder and on the Autism Spectrum.

This expedition could be the first team to summit Denali during the 2010 season as we are currently the first team registered to attempt the highest peak in North America. We are offering special pricing for this opportunity, in the hopes that we can fill the team and raise enough money to help the Piedra Learning Community with a down payment on a new facility.

This team will head up glacier before the Park Service, and will experience a West Buttress climb in as close to a wilderness setting as you can get (outside of a winter ascent- brrr!!!). Late April conditions are a bit cooler than early May, but we have seen the same success rates on our past April ascents as during the rest of the season.

If you or someone you know is looking for an adventure with the added bonus of helping do something special for some really deserving kids, please contact us. Spaces are limited.

Please click HERE for more information on this climb, the school and on Sensory Processing Disorder, a challenge faced by perhaps 1 in 20 kids in the US today.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We had a great year at Mountain Trip and are enjoying Christmas at home! More trips head out soon, but all of our trips are home for the holidays this year.

Wishing you and your family a great Holiday Season and Happy New Year from our family at Mountain Trip!

Aconcagua Team on the Summit!!

Our first Aconcagua expedition of the season is standing on the summit of the highest mountain in South America.

Congratulations to:
Vivian Rigney
Allan Frankl
Phil McDonald
Denis Autier
and their guides Zach Shlosar and Ariel Di Carlantonio

You can read the expedition dispatches from this trip at

http://mttripaconcaguadec09.blogspot.com

Colorado Ice Climbing

Todd R starting up pitch 1

Cold temperatures and low snowfall made for some great early season ice in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Three Mountain Trip guides snuck out for some fun climbing near Silverton, CO last Sunday and climbed the three pitch classic, Whore House Hoses (WI 4). Jared Vilhauer, Dave Ahrens and I enjoyed the day despite chilly temperatures. A big dump of snow on Monday and Tuesday has made routes like this one off-limits until the avalanche hazard decreases.

Dave belaying Todd on pitch 1

Dave soloing up the short pitch 2

Jared approaching the hidden pitch 3

Dave enjoying the "plastic" blue/green ice of pitch 3

Dave and Jared getting ready for the last rappel down the route

Dave on the last rappel, about 50 meters from the bottom

Video of 2009 Denali Expeditions

I've finally finished the slideshow/video from the 2009 Mountain Trip Denali Expeditions. I tried to include pictures of all of the climbers and guides who were a part of our year in Alaska, but I know I am missing lot's of you. If you were on one of our trips in 2009 in Alaska and have a great photo you'd like to share, send it to us at info@mountaintrip.com and I'll try to add it to the show.

Check out the video, or find it on You Tube

Mountain Trip guide to receive governor's award

Mountain Trip guide Greg Nappi, whose efforts led to a successful rescue of another Mountain Trip Guide injured in the Alaskan back-country, is among the recipients of Alaska's Governor's Annual Awards for Emergency Medical Services.

The accident took place on the morning of April 9 when Greg and Joe Butler were ice-climbing above the Eklutna Glacier in Chugach State Park. Joe fell some 1,000 feet and came to a stop with a broken femur and various other injuries.

Greg, aka super friend, rappelled to find Joe and then hiked a silly amount of miles to a wilderness hut where a sled, tent and other survival gear were located. Greg returned with the gear and bundled up Joe, as night descended and a storm moved into the valley. Greg skied through the night to find a cabin locked and unoccupied where he kicked in the door to phone rescuers. Picture James Bond kicking in a door. Joe was evacuated within hours as the blizzard ensued.

We are all happy to know we have such skilled and determined friends in the Mountain Trip Family. Congratulations Greg, and Joe, we wish you a speedy recovery.

Check out the video below to see Joe's big break, pun intended, in the commercial industry.




Here is a link to an article in the Anchorage Daily News

http://www.adn.com/outdoors/story/1012356.html