AAC Mentorship Program—Alpine Track

Photo by Fredrik Marmsater.

The American Alpine Club, with deep support from Arc’teryx, is proud to launch our Mentorship Program—Alpine Track: a year-long program designed to build advanced proficiency in alpine rock, ice, and glaciated terrain through practical coaching, teamwork, and technical field programs. This year’s cohort will comprise a men’s team and a women’s team, each with four participants, coached by cutting-edge alpinists Sam Hennessey and Anne Gilbert Chase.

The Alpine Track is designed around four in-person field modules, culminating in the summer of 2027; additionally, there will be opportunities to participate in asynchronous events with coaches and expert advisors. Field modules allow participants to apply skills with coaching feedback, including technical systems, risk assessment, and trip planning.

The AAC Mentorship Program is open to all AAC Members. Not a member? Join today for access to programs like these.

The AAC Mentorship Program is presented by Arc’teryx and supported by Sterling Ropes:

 
 

2026-2027 Program Schedule & Dates

The following is the program’s timeline; note that locations may change due to extenuating factors, such as weather conditions:

    • April 2 - May 15: Application Window

    • June 15 - 30: Participant Notification & Confirmation

    • July 1 - 15: Participant Onboarding 

    • September 1 - 8, 2026: Module 1 - Rock Rescue & Alpine Rock Climbing

      • Location: Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, WY

      • Focus: Team building, alpine and rock climbing, rock rescue, raises, lowers, belay escapes, rappelling safety and efficiency, medical review, etc.

      • Gear List: Rock climbing equipment, clothing, ice axe/crampons

    • December 1 - 8, 2026: Module 2 - Ice Climbing & Winter Rescue 

      • Location(s): Gallatin National Forest, Bozeman, MT, and Shoshone National Forest, Cody, WY

      • Focus: Ice and winter climbing, winter rescue, avalanche rescue refresher, large group situations, shelter building, etc.

      • Gear List: Winter climbing clothing, ice climbing equipment, avalanche rescue equipment

    • March 15 - 20, 2027: Module 3 - Rock & Ice Climbing, Technical Skills & Rescue 

      • Location: Gallatin National Forest, Bozeman, MT (location subject to change)

      • Focus: Rock and ice climbing, technical skills, team rescue, advanced rescue, emergency response, ice climbing, rescue practice

      • Gear List: avalanche rescue gear, ice climbing gear, rock climbing gear

    • June TBD 2027: Module 4 - Glacier Mountaineering

      • Location: North Cascades National Park, Bellingham, WA (location subject to change)

      • Focus: Glacier mountaineering overview, snow camping, packing, equipment sorting, approach, snow anchors, crevasse rescue, glacier climb

      • Gear List: Rock climbing gear (in case of bad weather), mountaineering boots/clothes, camping equipment

Participant Expectations

Participants must commit to the full field module schedule, attend modules with the required equipment, demonstrate a willingness to learn, and have a desire to be part of a team. Throughout the program, participants agree to appear in and contribute to AAC media related to the program.

The AAC does not charge a fee for participation in the program, and will cover participant lodging during field modules. The AAC will not cover travel, personal gear, or general food costs.

  • This is equipment supplied by participants. AAC will connect mentees with discounts to help support gear acquisition. 

    Footwear

    • Trail running shoes, 1x pr

    • Approach shoes, 1x pr

    • Rock climbing shoes, 1x pr

    • ¾ shank mountaineering boots, 1x pr

    • Full shank ice climbing boots, 1x pr

    Mountain Clothing

    This is in addition to a variety of socks, underwear, hats, and standard climbing pants/shorts/tops, etc.

    • Long underwear bottoms, 1x pr

    • Cold-weather soft shell climbing pants, 1x pr

    • Hard shell pants, 1x pr

    • Insulated pants w/full side zippers, 1x pr

    • Sun hoodie, 1x

    • Midweight fleece, 1x

    • Wind jacket, 1x (optional)

    • Soft shell jacket, 1x

    • Hard shell jacket, 1x

    • Lightweight insulated jacket, 1x

    • Belay parka, 1x

    • Lightweight gloves, 1x pr

    • Midweight gloves, 1x pr

    • Belay gloves, 1x pr

    Technical Gear

    • Ice climbing crampons, 1x pr

    • Glacier crampons, 1x pr (optional)

    • Climbing harness, 1x

    • Glacier harness, 1x (optional)

    • Technical ice tools, 2x

    • Non-technical mountaineering axe w/adze, 1x

    • Climbing helmet, 1x

    • Belay device, 1x (must be compatible with two ropes & plaquette mode)

    • Locking carabiners, 4x (HMS-style preferred)

    • Non-locking carabiners, 4x (wiregate preferred)

    • 120cm sling, 2x

    • 5m of 6mm cordelette or 5m of 5.5mm tech cord, 1x

    • 30cm of 5mm cord, 1x (for rappel backup)

    • Progress capture pulley, 1x (Petzl Nano Traxion, Petzl Micro Traxion, Edelrid Spoc, etc.)

    • Chalk bag, 1x

    • Nut tool, 1x

    • Small folding knife, 1x

    Climbing Protection

    Although the program will provide single racks as part of the Team Gear, team members may use personal climbing protection to augment.

    • Rock protection, as needed (optional)

    • Ice protection, as needed (optional)

    • Slings/anchor material, as needed (optional)

    Avalanche Equipment

    • Avalanche beacon, 1x

    • Avalanche snow shovel, 1x

    • Avalanche probe, 1x

    Ski & Snow Gear - preferred, but not required

    While this is not a ski program, the following equipment — and knowledge of how to use it — is preferred for objectives in Modules 3 and 4 with snow and glacier approaches.  

    • Backcountry ski/snowboard boots, 1x pr

    • Ski crampons, 1x pr (optional)

    • Climbing skins, 1x pr

    • Backcountry skis/splitboard, 1x

    • Backcountry ski poles, 1x pr

    Camping Gear

    • Sleeping bag/quilt (30F degrees), 1x

    • Sleeping bag (0F degrees), 1x

    • Inflatable sleeping pad, 1x

    • Foam sleeping pad, 1x

    • Cup/bowl/spoon, 1x ea

    • Water bottles/bladders, as needed

    • Personal water filter, 1x

    • Personal field toiletries, as needed (wag bags, medications, etc.)

    • Car camping tent, 1x

    Miscellaneous

    • Sunglasses, 1x pr

    • Glacier glasses, 1x pr

    • SPF chapstick, 1x

    • Sunscreen, 1x

    • Headlamp, 1x

    • SOS messaging device, 1x (inReach, phone with satellite capability, etc.)

    • Approach/climbing backpack – 50L, 1x

    • Approach/climbing backpack – 30-35L, 1x

    • Climbing backpack – 15-20L, 1x


  • The AAC will provide specific gear for team use. Below are examples of equipment that meet the track's technical requirements and may be provided by the AAC. Specific gear will be delivered based on module needs. In some instances, participants may be required to supply such type of gear (like ropes or tents for personal use).

    Ropes

    • Single/Triple-rated ropes 9.1mm x 60m (dry treated)

    • Double-rated ropes 7.3mm x 60m (dry treated)

    • Glacier ropes 6mm x 60m

    • Tag lines 5-6mm x 65m

    • Tag line stuff sacks – 10L

    Climbing Protection

    • Rock protection racks (1x ea size 0-3 cams, 1x full set offset stoppers, color-coded racking carabiners 11x total)

    • Steel ice screws (1x 10cm, 7x 13cm, 2x 16cm, 2x 19cm)

    • Ice screw pouches

    • Runners/quickdraws (6x alpine quickdraws, 6x 60cm slings, 12x non-locking carabiners)

    • Anchor slings

    Tents

    • 4-season/2-person bivy tents

    • 4-season/2-person expedition style

    • “Mid” style cook tents

    Cooking & Food Storage

    • Stoves, fuel, pots, pans, etc. for group use

    Miscellaneous

    • On-route & Basecamp First Aid Kits

Program Coaches & Advisors

Coach: Sam Hennessey

Sam is a climber, skier, and mountain guide based in southwest Montana. He started climbing in the Olympic Mountains near his hometown of Port Angeles, WA, and from there, his career has taken him to the Cascades, Tetons, Alaska Range, Alps, Himalayas, and many other mountains around the world.

Certifications:
IFMGA Certified Guide
Wilderness First Responder and CPR certified
Avalanche Level III
Leave No Trace Trainer

Coach: Anne Gilbert Chase 

 

Anne Gilbert Chase started rock climbing in college at the University of Georgia, but it wasn’t until she moved west to spend time in the big mountains that she fell in love with every discipline of climbing. Since then, she’s gone on over 30 expeditions around the world, both near and far. She has put up first ascents on remote Himalayan peaks as well as pushed her own limits on technical rock and ice climbs in North America. Anne Gilbert finds joy in all forms of movement in the mountains and hopes to continue exploring mountains around the world for many years to come. These days, you can find her at home in Bozeman, MT, enjoying smaller nearby expeditions with her young son and husband.

Certifications:
ACLS, PALS, BLS, CCRN

Expert Advisors

Throughout the program, the AAC will host workshops and clinics with Expert Advisors, including guests like Jack Tackle and Kate Rutherford.

Meet the Participants

Stefanos Apostle | Men’s Team

“In addition to my own personal development, I am very passionate about keeping these alpine zones accessible to all. I have been working to show that support of new routing in disparate zones can curb overcrowding in popular areas and retain an open-access environment to continue allowing unhindered alpine climbing.”

Blake Berghoff | Men’s Team

“Family and friends are the centerfold in my life, along with time in the outdoors. I value trust, companionship, commitment, and passion in my pursuits and people I hold close. I look to continue practicing the craft that is mountain climbing, while living a meaningful life for the foreseeable future.”

Milo Corbus | Men’s Team

“For me climbing isn’t about recognition, sponsorships, or money. It’s about challenging myself against the mountains and discovering who I am in the process. It’s the one place where I feel completely authentic and it’s the way I choose to live life to the fullest.”

Maia Chrichlow | Women’s Team

“I work as a mountain guide, which let me combine personal passion with profession, and taught me the deep joy of sharing parts of the world that would otherwise be inaccessible to some… I’m here to keep learning how to be both a mentor and mentee. These reciprocal relationships are what the climbing community is built on, and what give it its unique texture.”

Suraj Kushwaha | Men’s Team

“Climbing captured my imagination, and I devoted myself to learning its disciplines. My time in places like the Elephant's Perch, Mill Creek, Smuggler's Notch, Eldorado Canyon, and Mt. Hooker developed a love for mentally and physically challenging routes. Meanwhile, my academic pursuits raised questions about the politics of climbing on personal and structural levels. For climbing is always political.”

Emma Russell | Women’s Team

“It’s been really meaningful to see more people who look like me showing up in climbing and ski mountaineering spaces. That shift has been inspiring, and it makes me want to be part of creating that kind of environment for others too.”

Lauren Smith | Women’s Team

“Climbing has given me my best friends and a warmth of community all over the world. Without it, I wouldn't be able to have big aspirations; shared ideas, mentorship, support, and a tight bond with the people around me.”

Grace Staberg | Women’s Team

“I come from a competitive ski mountaineering background and would now like to focus my time and energy on alpine projects... I am most motivated to push my own limits in the mountains and build community around the places we love most.”

Mentorship Program FAQs

  • No.

    The Alpine Track is designed for climbers with alpine climbing and mountaineering experience, high physical fitness, and technical proficiency across rock, ice, and glaciated terrain.

  • If you meet more than three-quarters of the suggested profile, you are encouraged to apply.

  • Participants are placed into small, team-based groups and work together throughout the program.

    The program is built around a team-centered learning environment, where participants collaborate, make decisions together, and progress as a unit.

  • There are 30 days of planned programming, plus additional days for travel and personal skill development.

    The program consists of multiple in-person modules across the season, each requiring several days in the field.

    You should expect a significant time commitment across all modules, including travel and full participation during each session.

  • Yes.

    The program is designed as a progressive, cohort-based experience, and each module builds on the previous one. Full participation is expected.

  • Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from each module location.

    Specific travel details will be provided after acceptance.

  • The AAC will arrange accommodations, typically camping, during the modules.

    Details on accommodations will be shared with selected participants prior to each session.

  • Each module is focused on hands-on learning in alpine environments, including climbing, technical systems, and decision-making. You should expect a mix of skills development, instruction, and climbing.

    Each module will progress through subject matter working toward the team’s goals. Participants will work closely with their team and mentors throughout each day.

  • The AAC covers core program costs, including lodging during modules, and does not charge a participation fee.

    Participants are responsible for:

    • Travel to and from each location

    • Personal gear

    • Meals and incidental expenses

  • Participants are expected to have appropriate personal gear for alpine climbing and mountaineering.

    A detailed gear list will be provided prior to the program.

  • The program may provide access to gear discounts or support, but participants should plan to supply their own equipment.

    Additional details will be shared with accepted participants.

  • Applicants will be notified after the review process is complete, no later than the end of June.

    Specific timelines will be communicated during the application period.