Twenty years old and a native of northwest Washington, Brandon Elley had done some climbing before he and his dad decided to attempt the most classic summits of the Alps. His dad, John Elley, had done none. Here is their inspiring story of adventure, scenery, and success.

Read the full article.

♦ Alpinism 1 - Intro (6 days, beginner) Learn the fundamental skills for mountaineering on intermediate alpine routes. Climb Mt. Baker. Our most comprehensive intro-level glacier course.

♦ Sierra Intro to Mountaineering - Learn the skills that are essential for a safe and successful mountaineering trip and finish with a major Sierra ascent.

♦ Alpinism 2 - Intermediate (6 days, intermediate) Raise your skills to the intermediate level while climbing a series of classic American mountaineering routes. Builds on Alpinism 1.

♦ 3-day Glacier Skills Course / Rainier Prep - Learn glacier skills for your own ascents of peaks like Mt. Rainier.

♦ Classic Ascents - From the ice of Baker, Rainier, Shuksan and Eldorado to the rock ridges and faces of Liberty Bell, Forbidden, and Triumph, we guide all the classics in the Northwest.

♦ 3 or 4-Day Mt. Whitney Ascent - Climb the highest peak in the lower 48 by an easy or a technical route. A Sierra classic!

♦ Alpine Ice Climbing (6 days, intermediate) Develop a complete repertoire of high-angle snow and ice skills and learn to apply them efficiently in all conditions. Climb in America's top glacier training area, the Coleman Glacier of Mt. Baker.

♦ Alpine Mtrg. & Technical Leadership: Parts 1, 2, and 3
(12 days each) Become a rope team leader on glaciers, steep snow and ice, and rock. Co-lead an expedition on Part 3. The most comprehensive leadership training program in the country.

♦ Rock Climbing Instruction - Outside Online calls it "America's best rock program." At any level, hone your skills in Leavenworth or Index (WA), Squamish or Bugaboos (BC), Red Rock (NV), Joshua Tree, or Sierra (CA).

♦ Bolivia Trek, Skills and Ascents, and Illimani Expedition Join us for an introduction to high altitude, an amazing cultural experience, and great climbing. Choice of four summer dates.

♦ New AAI program: Guided Backpacking in North Cascades National Park
Are you or someone you know new to backcountry living? Take this instructive 5-day backpacking program with us and explore the vast and rugged wilderness of North Cascades National Park, located in northwest Washington State. Learn the essentials for backcountry travel and living while feasting on gourmet meals and enjoying the spectacular scenery of the "American Alps."

♦ AAI Guide Dawn Glanc wins 2nd place at Ice Festival
Dawn Glanc, an instructor and guide for AAI, won second place in the women's division of the 12th Annual Ouray Ice Festival ice climbing competition. Congratulations Dawn! The Festival, which was held on January 10-14, 2007 in Ouray, CO, is a yearly gathering of top competitors, local community members and businesses, outdoor companies, and spectators. Read an interview of Dawn Glanc published in a past edition of AAI's E-newsletter.

Register for any Washington summer course by March 20 and receive a $50 gift certificate to our gear store! To receive your chosen offer, you must mention code EN307 when registering for your expedition or trek.

Fine Print: Offer expires March 20, 2007. Cannot be applied retroactively for climbers who are already registered for a program. Cannot be combined with other promotions.

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Browse our other program special offers, including our year round Ring Leader Discount, Second Summits, and our Green Energy Discount!

Guides Choice is an independent, international gear evaluation program started by the American Alpine Institute in 1989. Our professional climbing and ski guides are continually field-testing equipment and clothing in a variety of mountain environments and conditions throughout the world. Guides Choice awards are given to the top item of gear in each product category based on excellence in design, performance, and durability. Each year new Guides Choice awards are presented to manufacturers at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show in Salt Lake City. View the list of 2006 award recipients or all Guides Choice award winners.

	Pre-Denali Gear Sale . . . And More! 25% Off (Alaska Gear) ♦ K2 Superlight Overboots by 40 Below - Reg $119.95, now $89.96! ♦ OR Alti Summit Mitts - Reg $179, now $134.25 ♦ Feathered Friends Front Point Jacket - Reg $424, now $318 ♦ Patagonia DAS Parka - Reg $265, now $198.75 ♦ Feathered Friends Ptarmigan Sleeping Bag - Reg $665, now $498.75 ♦ Patagonia Guide Softshell Pants - Reg $145, now $108.75 ♦ Mountain Hardwear Chugach Insulated Pants - Reg $130, now $97.50 ♦ Intuition Boot Liners - Reg $159.95, now $119.95 ♦ OR Water Bottle Parka - Reg $20, now $15 ♦ Feathered Friends Down Booties - Reg $85, now 63.75 (please call the equipment shop for this product - 360-671-1570)
	30% Off ♦ Arc'teryx Fission LT Hoody Puff Jacket - Reg $399, now $279.30 ♦ Arc'teryx Alpha SL Shell Jacket - Reg $249, now $174.30 ♦ Patagonia Stretch Latitude Jacket - Reg $275, now 192.50 ♦ Patagonia Core Skin Jacket - Reg $250, now $175
	40% Off ♦ Patagonia Rubicon Ski Pants - Reg $235, now $141 Special Sale ♦ Kayland 8001 Boots - Reg $750, now $628.36 (Sale ends Friday, March 16, 2007)

For advice on other gear, browse the Guides Choice web site. We feature weekly specials on a handful of items at substantial discounts. The clothing and equipment that is on sale changes every Tuesday, so check back each week. You'll find great items on clearance, and we are regularly adding products, photos, and testing notes. Snoop the website for a few items at 50% off.

ASK A GUIDE: Your questions answered by Michael Powers

CAUTION: Mountain travel of any kind carries significant risks to the participants, and travel on rock, snow, and ice carries inherent dangers that can lead to injury or death. Every situation is unique and calls for use of different techniques, gear, and methodologies. Those choices must be made in the context and location where the activity will occur, and final choices require an assessment by the person on the scene. Therefore, AAI assumes no responsibility or liability for your use of the suggestions offered in this article or by guides and staff. AAI offers tips to assist climbers to expand their skills, but makes no assertion regarding the appropriateness of choosing particular techniques, gear, methodologies, or ways of proceeding in any given circumstance. You must make your own assessments and decisions, and you assume all risks in applying them.

QUESTION:

I want to get into backcountry skiing, and I wonder if you know the ultimate AT setup for skinning up and skiing down untouched slopes and, from time to time, for skiing a day or two in groomed areas. I have heard about so many different brands and models, but some of the same names seem to be repeated, such as Garmont boots, the Dynafit AT bindings, and the Black Diamond Havoc skis. Do you have an opinion on these models? Any tips on fit? Also, I don't know if stiff boots or soft boots are better. Please advise me. Thanks!

Alton Kerner
Salem, Oregon

ANSWER:

Dear Alton,

First of all, backcountry skiing with all the gear that I mention is great. The trick, of course, is trying to figure out what type of skiing you will be doing most. And I fully realize that until we actually use whatever gear we decide upon, it's hard to know what our habits will be.

For example, when you are doing lots of ski area skiing, weight is less of an issue, so wide skis, beefy bindings like the Fritschi AT (All Terrain) bindings, and supportive boots (such as the Garmont Endorphin) are the way to go. For skinning up backcountry slopes, a lighter system (narrower, shorter skis with Dynafit AT bindings) is the way to go.

Of course, no one piece of gear does everything perfectly. That being said, this is what I would do . . . Read Mike's full answer.

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Read Ask A Guide questions and answers from previous AAI E-newsletters.

To ask Mike Powers your own climbing questions, email him at askaguide@aai.cc.

The Ask A Guide was created to answer your most pressing climbing related questions. Michael Powers, AAI Senior Guide and our Assistant Director for Staff Development, answers all questions. Michael oversees field staff, training, and continuing education, and serves as an instructor in mountaineering, ice, rock, and skiing. He is an IFMGA certified climbing and ski guide, serves as an instructor and examiner for the AMGA's National Guide Certification Program, and is a former Technical Director of the AMGA.

THE CLIMBERS PATH PHOTO CONTEST:

AAI's Spring Climber's Path Photo Contest is now underway. We have accepted 13 entries, and now all that remains to be done is choosing the winners - a task that is up to you, the reader!

VOTE!

Whether you're an aspiring Ansel Adams or a devoted fan of the point-and-shoot, send us your best mountain photo and have a chance at winning:

• 1st Place: $200 gift certificate for trips or $100 for gear
• 2nd Place: $100 gift certificate for trips or $50 for gear
• 3rd Place: $50 gift certificate for trips or $25 for gear

Email photos to climberspath@aai.cc. Multiple entries are OK, but only one prize will be awarded per contestant. The act of submission constitutes your consent for AAI to publish your photo(s) on its web sites and in its newsletters.