A podcast about navigating the highest altitudes from a guide’s perspective.

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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.

The Duffel Shuffle Podcast is brought to you by Alpenglow Expeditions.