A podcast about navigating the highest altitudes from a guide’s perspective.
LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODES:
MEET YOUR HOSTS:
ADRIAN BALLINGER
Adrian Ballinger is a big mountain climber and skier, certified mountain guide, and professional speaker. Ballinger is the founder of Alpenglow Expeditions and has been professionally guiding groups on the world’s tallest mountains for 25 years.
Summits of Everest and K2 without supplemental oxygen
First ski descent of Makalu (5th tallest peak in world) from summit
First ski descent of Manaslu (8th tallest peak in world) from summit
Four complete 8000-meter peak ski descents
Nineteen summits of 8000-meter peaks (including 9 summits of Mt. Everest)
Founded and leads Alpenglow Expeditions, which now takes 6000+ people a year skiing, climbing and mountaineering, in Tahoe and around the world
IFMGA Mountain Guide since 2008
Proud dad of Aaro Storm & husband to Emily Harrington
SAM KIECKHEFER
Born and raised in Northern California, Sam began exploring the Sierra and developed a love for the mountains at a young age. A lifelong skier, he started backcountry skiing in 2010 and found his way up Mt. Shasta on only his second ski tour ever. After years of gaining experience ski touring in the mountain west, he started guiding in 2019. Sam has guided ski trips in both hemispheres, but you’re sure to find him in the winter around Tahoe as he continues to work towards his AMGA Ski Guide certification. Sam also teaches both recreational and professional avalanche courses with the American Avalanche Institute in the Tetons.
Sam is an AMGA Assistant Ski Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide, and an AIARE Course Instructor. He lives on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe with his wife Susie.
Sam and Adrian follow up on their conversation started in Episode 15. After discussion high altitude climbing and acclimatization, the two dive into a conversation about pre-acclimatization using hypoxic tents, and the program that Alpenglow Expeditions has established in Rapid Ascent. The program utilizes pre-acclimatization alongside advanced trip logistics to reduce the total expedition time by 25-50%.