The American Alpine Club: Providing knowledge and inspiration, conservation and advocacy, and logistical support to the climbing community.

We protect the places we climb, advocate for American climbers around the world, preserve climbing’s history and chronicle climbing achievement. The AAC’s ongoing commitment to inspiring and supporting climbers dates back to 1902, when the country’s leading climbers and conservationists banded together to form the Club.

Six members of the climbing community weigh in on the value of joining the AAC.

INCLINED: the blog of the aac

Two New Trip Reports at AAC Website
Two trip reports from successful expeditions by AAC grant recipients have been posted at www.AmericanAlpineClub.org.
Joe Puryear, winner of a 2009 Lyman Spitzer Cutting-Edge Award, has posted a profusely illustrated account of his first ascent of 6,778-meter Jobo Rinjang in Nepal with David Gottlieb in April. And Mountain Fellowship winner Sevve Stember has reported on his [...]
Spitzer Winner Completes Stunning Baffin Solo
Dave Turner, winner of a 2009 Lyman Spitzer Cutting-Edge Award from the AAC, soloed a major new route in Baffin Island during a 65-day expedition this spring. Turner climbed the 1,400-meter north arête and face of Broad Peak (ca 1,800m) in a remarkable lightweight, single-push effort.
Turner traveled with Inuit guides by snowmobile to Sam Ford [...]
Fourth of July First Ascent on Burkett Needle
Seizing the day during a window of high pressure, AAC member Dave Burdick and partner John Frieh snagged the first ascent of the beautiful west ridge of Burkett Needle in southeast Alaska during a three-day round trip from the airport. After a helicopter approach and hike to high camp, they climbed Smash and Grab (IV [...]

American Alpine Club Events

Craggin Classic

When: Oct 9, 2009

Where: Salt Lake City, UT

AAC Craggin Classic will be held in Salt Lake City, UT, October 9-11th. The venue will be located in the beautiful Big Cottonwood canyon where there\'s cool camping and hundreds of climbing routes. With the help of the Salt Lake Climber\'s Coalition and the strong core of local climbers, this year\'s event promises to be bigger, better and mo... Read More

Upcoming Events

American Alpine News

Climbers Mourn As China Avalanche Takes Heavy Toll

Date: Jun 7, 2009

Rescue workers have discovered the bodies of AAC members Jonny Copp and Wade Johnson in avalanche debris on Mt. Edgar (aka E-Gongga) in the Minya Konka massif of China. Copp's climbing partner, AAC member Micah Dash, is still missing, and an international search operation is continuing. The bodies were discovered between base camp and advanced base camp on the 6,618-meter peak.

Copp, 35, and Dash, 32, had hoped to climb a new route on the mountain&rs... Read More