Proximity to the Mountains

AMS’s south-central Alaska location in the quaint town of Talkeetna was chosen for its proximity to the mountains, and it gives us powerful advantages. Talkeetna has a rich climbing history, and for the past 35 years, AMS has pioneered many of the excellent locations we explore in our courses. We fly from Talkeetna’s tiny, bustling airport to Denali National Park and Preserve, the Eastern Alaska Range, the northern Talkeetna Mountains, and the Eastern Brooks Range. A short drive north allows road access to trailheads leading into the Talkeetna Mountains and Denali National Park. A short drive south provides access to the Chugach Mountains and the southern Talkeetna Mountains. Our location away from the distractions of the city gives AMS and its participants clear advantages at the start of their expeditions:

  • The best place to do a final gear check and pack your food for any trip is at the start of the trail. With the many details that go into preparing an Alaska expedition, it is too easy to forget something. Having our outfitting and climbing shop located in Talkeetna allows AMS to outfit anyone at the very last minute.
  • If you’ve landed on the glacier and have the unfortunate event of a forgotten item, we can easily deliver any items to the airport and send them on an outgoing plane to be retrieved by you in the mountains.
  • No matter what time you return from the mountains, you will be greeted by friendly AMS staff, who will find you a hotel room and bring you there. If all the hotels are booked, you are welcome to stay in your tent at the AMS campground. AMS management and office staff live just a short walk away, and we are on call 24/7 when our programs are in the field.
  • AMS has its finger on the pulse, thanks to our multi-tier communication systems. AMS is often the first to know about Denali mountain happenings and weather conditions; we keep our blog updated daily.
  • In cases of emergency, we are the only mountaineering company that can quickly get to the Talkeetna Ranger Station, only three blocks away, and work directly with NPS staff.
  • If weather conditions prevent you from flying into the Alaska Range on schedule, we drive 2 blocks back to AMS, put all our food in commercial fridges, and start teaching classes. We stay packed and ready for when the weather clears, but we preserve our precious food and use the opportunity to practice crevasse rescue. In the event you have to spend the night, AMS will have tents available already set up on covered decks.

Genuine attention to the individual’s needs and concerns; very professionally run; wonderful cooperation between guides. AMS has an excellent caring staff and their base in Talkeetna is a huge advantage. 
—Srilakshmi Sharim

AMS’ local presence in Talkeetna gives it a built-in edge over the other guiding companies on Denali. — Darrel Koehlinger