As climbers and adventurers we all dream of traveling, taking our skills to the worlds ultimate summit. At SMC we work to give you both the skills needed for these ultimate trips and arrange the programs that realize these dreams.
We do not advertise large numbers of trips, but select only places that we have been to before and climbs that we are familiar with. We keep the group size small and maintain low guide to participant ratios. Our trips span the range from hiking and exploring through to very technical climbs and remote locations.
This way we can put together the best trip possible and one that will be a highlight of a lifetime.
Alaska
Alaska is the goal of virtually all alpinists. Where else can you fly to the base of a Himalayan sized peak and set up a comfortable basecamp and fly back out after climbing thirty to forty pitches of technical terrain?
Mt Russell
Russell is a spectacular pyramid of snow and ice to the north of Denali. The elevation of 11,670 feet means little problem with acclimatization to extreme elevations leaving the climber to simply enjoy a fantastic ascent away from the crowds of Denali, finding the range untouched and unvisited by other parties.
Peak 11,300
Peak 11,3000 fits all of our requirements for an outstanding Alaskan expedition. The climb starts 30 minutes from the landing zone and comprises some thirty five pitches with a crux rock step of 5.8 with a number of smaller steps at an easier grade topped by six pitches of up to sixty degree continuous ice that top out on the expansive summit.
Little Switzerland Camp
Not all Alaskan peaks are huge. Little Switzerland is a perfect introduction to Alaska and this program teaches glacier and alpine climbing skills from a glacier camp ringed by granite spires and towers.
Europe
Situated along the northern border of Italy and Austria the Dolomites are the birthplace of modern alpine rock climbing and offer fantastic climbing in spectacular settings. Small villages, good wine and great food supplement the climbing pleasures and make for a fantastic relaxing vacation.
Dolomites of Italy – In the Footsteps of the Masters
For ten days we climb the best classics in the Valle de Fassa and Cortina areas returning nightly to hotels and huts for a great climbing on steep walls amidst jagged spires and towers.
Dolomites of Italy – Via Ferrata Vacation
You do not have to be a hard climber to explore the mountains in Italy. Via Ferratas are routes equipped with ladders, cables as they wind their way across the ledges and up walls. The perfect way for the non-climber to get into climbing terrain or for the climber to simply relax.
Arctic
Baffin Island Skiing
The frozen north is also stunningly beautiful. The Pangnirtung Pass area offers relatively easy access via snowmobile to classic descents and touring amongst one of the worlds least known, but most beautiful areas.
Canada
The Wapta Traverse
No need to go all the way to Europe for hut to hut skiing. The Wapta is a great trip across big glaciers and the super dry powder of the Rockies. They even speak a type of English up there too.
Patagonia
Patagonia is the most stunning place in the world. Huge peaks rising above beech forest surrounded by crashing glaciers. This truly is the utmost part of the earth, Fantastic climbing that will be the highlight of anyone’s climbing resume and everyone should experience this part of the world.
Patagonia Exploration
A hiking trip that takes us through Paine National Park to some of the little seen parts of the parks and also we hope to climb Cerro Almirante, the high point of the area.
The North Tower of Paine
The best rock in the world on one of the world’s great peaks. A mix of easy aid and free climbing to a fine summit
Cerro Guillaumet
Not as high as it neighbors this is a truly wonderful climb and one that we compare to being two East Buttresses of Whitney stacked one on top of another.
The Patagonian Icecap
This traverse from the Passo Marconi to the pass of the winds across the mysterious and legendary Patagonian Icecap traveling below the huge wets faces of Cerro Torre and the Cirque of the Altars
New Zealand
Southern Alps Climbing
SP’s home turf and places that he knows well. New Zealand is just a great country (well, it does rain a bit) so we combine exploring it with the goal of climbing three peaks in three weeks. |
