When viewed from highway 395, 14,496′ Mt. Whitney and neighboring Day and Keeler Needles hardly stand out amidst their neighboring peaks.  In fact, from some places the surrounding peaks look higher and many passersby would never know that this jagged chunk of granite is the highest peak in the lower 48!  Nor would they know [...]

Some of my favorite descriptions of the mountains are those written by John Muir.  His words paint intricate pictures of every detail of the mountain environment, and his writings ooze with child-like curiosity and the passion for exploration that he was famous for.  To me, however, one story stands out from the rest.  It’s the [...]

by Jacob Schultz

It all started one day in July, fellow guides Nathan Spearing and Ben Wilcox came to me with a plan, “Let’s climb Pico de Orizaba this fall! Oh and we already booked our flights!” Pico de Orizaba is a stratovolcano located 75 miles inland from the port town of Veracruz and the Gulf [...]

St. Elias Alpine Guide Miles Clark recounts his recent adventures on 18,490 ft El Pico de Orizaba in Mexico.  When he’s not climbing mountains in Mexico, Miles can be found strapped into a pair of skis, making ski films for Adventure Film Works……
I just got back from my Mexico climbing trip yesterday.  It ended up [...]

As mountain guides, we are regularly faced with making good decisions in an ever-changing environment.  For me, staying flexible, knowing my options, and constantly evaluating the plan are keys to doing this safely and successfully.  A backpacking trip with friends this weekend, served as a good reminder that whether you’re in the vast wilderness of [...]