Adventure Talks

At 20,310 feet, Denali dominates the great Alaskan wilderness with an unmistakable presence. As its colossal crown engulfs the horizon, one cannot help but gasp in wonder. Or, if you’re a seasoned adventurer like AMGA Guide Jack Bynum, you might tingle with excitement. With no trails, designated routes or campsites, backpacking on North America’s tallest mountain is as rugged as it gets. Enter unprepared and you’ll have a bad time. But if you embark into Denali’s backcountry equipped with the right know-how, you’re in for one of the most liberating backpacking adventures out there. And if that doesn’t scratch your hiking itch, there’s even more gems to be found in national parks nearby! Luckily, Jack is here to help with all of that. As an alpine ace with a decade of guiding experience and over 20,000 outdoor miles under his belt, he’s made going off the beaten path his specialty. Check out this one-hour session and find out what it’s like to walk in the shadow of one of the world’s most awe-inspiring mountains armed with nothing but a backpack and a healthy dose of determination.

Since opening its trails to foreigners in 1977, the Annapurna Circuit has enchanted curious minds and enticed hikers with promise of larger-than-life adventures. The potent mix of rich cultural heritage, dazzling biodiversity and epic views of the Nepalese Himalayas makes this one of the best—and some might say, most enlightening—long-distance treks in the world. What does this epic journey through jungle and clouds entail? In this one-hour session, AIMG Guide Alberto Ojembarrena will take you on a virtual hike from the bustling municipality of Kathmandu to the 5,416m high Thorung La Pass—which is higher than Everest Base Camp! Alberto covered everything from permits and prices to blue-haired goats and Buddhist pilgrimage sites. After the presentation, there was a Q&A session where Alberto answered any questions you had about this spectacular 15-day trip on the coveted Annapurna Circuit. Whether you’re looking to take on this Holy Grail of hikes or simply find inspiration for your next big hike in Nepal, Alberto’s stirring stories and photographs are sure to do the job.

Heading into the backcountry this season requires that skiers know the risks and how to safely manage them, especially in avalanche terrain. If you’re new to backcountry skiing, let internationally licensed mountain guide Rob Coppolillo teach you what you need to consider before leaving the groomers behind. From the avalanche courses you need to take to the safety gear you need to invest in to how to stay risk aware, Rob shareed with you some basic tools you can use on your backcountry journey. This is not a replacement for formal avalanche education, but a primer on how to get started raising your level of awareness. With a little effort, humility, and willingness to learn, anyone can become a backcountry skier, and Rob will teach you about the importance of heading out with a guide and how they can help you prepare for backcountry adventuring in a safe way. Rob is the author of The Ski Guide Manual: Advanced Techniques for the Backcountry, as well as an AIARE Level 1 & 2 Instructor. His guidebooks are what guides turn to for info, so there is no better teacher than him! Find out how you can safely experience the magic of backcountry powder with the help of Rob Coppolillo.

Welcome to Aconcagua—Queen of the Americas, Roof of the Andes, and one of the fabled Seven Summits. Standing at 22,838 feet (6961m), this rugged wind-swept peak in western Argentina is actually one of the most accessible climbs of its kind. Though lacking in steep slopes, the mountain’s extreme conditions make climbing it a true feat of high-altitude mountaineering. In this one-hour session, veteran Aconcagua guide Sunny Stroeer showed you the ins and outs of tackling Aconcagua, including gear, physical training, and mental preparation required to embrace this often underestimated challenge. An advocate of women’s empowerment, Sunny is dedicated to bringing more female athletes into the world of outdoor sports. She’ll be introducing the Summit Scholarship Foundation and its annual scholarship program, which provides funding for women from all walks of life to climb mountains like Aconcagua at close to no cost. This webinar is designed for those who want to learn, ask questions in a welcoming space and connect with other outdoors women who share the same passion for adventure and the mountains.

Imagine this: a blanket of untouched snow cracking under your feet, the cool Atlantic breeze filling your lungs, and gleaming in front of you—the vast riches of Iceland’s untamed landscape. Crystal lakes, geothermal valleys and slumbering volcanoes, hidden since the dawn of time. This is what winter looks like in the Land of Ice and Fire, forged by the will of the gods. In this one-hour session, AIMG Mountain and Glacier Guide Alberto Ojembarrena took you on a virtual journey to the remote corners of Iceland, whose rugged landscape holds some of the world’s most spectacular winter hiking trails. In the island’s rough and unpredictable wilderness no two days are ever the same and every journey is utterly unique. If you’ve ever wondered what secrets lie in the mythical domain of the Vikings, now is your chance to find out.

Concealed in a corner of the Atlantic Ocean, there exists an island where nature reigns supreme. The land of fire and ice, where volcanoes and lava fields meet glacial valleys and fjords. Iceland is a place that cannot possibly exist outside of myth. And yet it does. Laugavegur, one of the world’s most spectacular hiking trails, is the goblet to drink in all the beauty of the island’s dramatic, desolate landscapes. In this one-hour session, local guide Saga Líf talked all about the hiking trip that crosses into the realm of the gods! This must-do trek starts in the colorful rhyolite highlands, among steamy spring-fed streams and sprawling lava fields. As the trail threads past waterfalls, gorges and lagoons, mountains give way to volcanic lakes and jet-black beaches. Before long, blankets of resplendent moss and geothermal mud pools command the senses. But words don’t do Iceland justice—you have to see it to believe it. And what is a better way than joining one of the guided hiking tours in Iceland? That‘s why local guide Saga Líf designed this all-female trip on the Laugavegur Trail. Her goal is to bring more women into the world of hiking by fostering a safe and nurturing environment in which any adventuress can participate, learn and grow. So take a seat by the fire and heed her tale!

One thing rock climbers are always looking for are fresh areas to explore. From newly-bolted routes, undiscovered crags, and pristine walls, Central Mexico has all of that in spades. Here to tell you all about its hidden gems is Climbing Guide, Simeon Heimowitz. After spending 15 years climbing and developing routes in El Potrero Chico’s limestone paradise in the north, Simeon decided to journey southwards and explore what Central Mexico had to offer. What he found were the exhilarating multi-pitch climbs of Peña de Bernal, the tallest monolith in the world; the intricate rhyolite cracks of Cascada de la Concepción, a secluded spot shielded by a massive waterfall; and the cobbled conglomerate of Las Peñas de Dexcani, whose staggering cliffs were formed by ancient eruptions. To Simeon it was clear as day—Central Mexico is a treasure trove of world-class climbing. Mexico is teeming with North America’s next great winter climbing destinations. If you’re looking for tons of new options, pre-polish-and-crowds, Central Mexico is your ticket this Rocktober and FA-vember. Check out this one-hour session and hear from an expert guide who has developed routes all over the continent and written three guidebooks on rock climbing in Mexico. Simeon answered any questions you had after his presentation.

There’s hiking and then there’s hiking the A.T. One of America’s most iconic footpaths, the Appalachian Trail entices trekkers old and new to an adventure of a lifetime—and the challenge of leaving their footprints along its entire formidable length. At nearly 2,200 miles spanning 14 states, this is one of the longest and most demanding treks in the world. Guide Michelle Michaud has the answers. She has twice thru-hiked the A.T. and completed countless sections from the Shenandoah to Mount Greylock. Michelle knows all about the thrill and the challenges of this rugged East Coast trail with the white blazes. Completing the thru-hike is not just a question of stamina, but also of dedication, mental preparation and logistics. Check out this one-hour webinar recording and find out what it takes to complete the legendary Appalachian Trail, from planning for the months ahead to packing your supplies, training and staying safe on the trail.

Sardinia as seen from the sea is all splendor. And for climbers, the remote paradise is a siren’s call. With nearly 6,000 sport routes and 1,000 multi-pitches, skipper and climber Lorenzo Pernigotti came up with the perfect idea—combine luxury sailing along the island’s coastline with top-of-the-line climbing in one unforgettable package. This week-long sports holiday kicks off with a cruise into the sunset at the Portisco Marina, and from then on it’s day after day packed with excitement and pleasure. Under the supervision of IFMGA guides acquainted with every hidden cove and world-class crag of Sardinia’s coastline, you’ll climb some of the best granite, basalt and dolomite in Europe. Then, after a day on the rocks, it’s time to kick back and enjoy the breathtaking nature around you. Cool off with a scuba dive, enjoy a cold drink with a fishing rod in hand, or soak up some sun on a sandy beach as the gentle bob of the Mediterranean murmurs in the background. This is a trip like no other. In this one-hour webinar, Lorenzo told us about his journey in search of the best rock climbing spots by the sea. He painted a picture of Sardinia’s sublime beauty and illustrated what a week with his crew looks like from their floating base camp.

Get ready to venture to a red rock paradise of sandstone carved by the sparkling flow of the Paria River. Your host for this webinar, Sunny Stroeer, leads all-female backpacking trips through this hidden gem of the American Southwest, and in this talk, you’ll learn what it takes to successfully complete your own adventure through such a remote area as the Paria Canyon. During the one-hour session, Sunny gave us a glimpse of the canyon’s immense beauty which is overflowing with rainbow rock layers and twisting gorges. The intrepid adventuress who embraces its challenge will be rewarded with sensational camping spots, intimate encounters with Native American history, and side trips to seldom-seen mysteries of the canyon. An advocate of women’s empowerment, Sunny is dedicated to bringing more female athletes into the world of outdoor sports. If you’re looking to get your feet wet exploring the remote backcountry, this webinar is designed for those who want to learn, ask questions in a welcoming space and connect with other outdoors women who share the same passion for adventure.

We have figured out the makings of a perfect adventure. The formula goes something like this — thousands of sport climbing routes on Europe’s best limestone, irresistible culture and food to match, a welcoming community, and a rejuvenating yoga session to wrap up each of the incredible seven days in Kalymnos, Greece. The area is full of hidden climbing treasures and AMGA Rock Guide Heidi Wirtz is here to share the ins and outs of a week-long climbing yoga retreat, set in what has to be paradise on Earth, that will change how you climb. If the photos aren’t enough to fuel your daydreams about climbing Europe’s best limestone, check out this free webinar and get all the info you need for planning your own trip.

When extreme conditions, icy surprises cooked up by avalanches or glacial terrain, and high altitude conspire against you, having a strong repertoire of alpine climbing skills to fall back on is a must. ACMG/IFMGA Mountain Guide Jeff Bullock conquered the ultimate alpine playground, the Canadian Rockies, countless times. Check out this free webinar recording for a virtual tour of all-star climbing venues like Banff, Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefields, and find out first-hand how an alpine skills week will turn you into a confident alpinist. If you’ve ever wanted to go face to face with alpine giants like the Canadian Rockies and come out on top, consider this your one-stop-shop for the many facets of alpine climbing.