History

The seed that grew into Alaska Mountaineering School (AMS) was planted in 1983, when Brian and Diane Okonek were awarded one of six mountain guide permits for Denali expeditions. The Okoneks, who lived in Talkeetna, were savvy mountain guides with scrupulously high standards. One of Brian’s first students was AMS founder Colby Coombs. During their Denali climb, in which they endured storms and helped in rescues before summiting, a destiny was charted. For ten years Colby instructed for NOLS and Caitlin Palmer led university mountaineering programs. Together they guided Denali expeditions under the Okoneks’ leadership.

AMS embodies the best of the big and the best of the small. AMS’s co-founders understand the importance of combining field standards, professional outfitting facilities, and administrative support. With over thirty years of climbing instruction and guiding on Denali, the AMS founders know that the true strength and value of any mountain guide company is in its guides. All AMS guides, instructors, interns, and owners know each other and eat at the same table. At its very foundation, AMS nurtures a spirit of camaraderie and trust that remains constant.

1983  Diane and Brian Okonek’s Alaska Denali Guiding, Inc. (ADG) awarded Denali National Park Mountaineering Concession.

1996  Colby Coombs and Caitlin Palmer start Alaska Mountaineering School (AMS), from a one-room log cabin.

2001  Colby and Caitlin purchase ADG; AMS and ADG are jointly operated companies.

2003  Alaska Mountaineering School, LLC becomes the sole entity to offer Denali, South American Guiding and Mountaineering Courses.

2005  Denali’s Deadly Ascent, a NOVA episode featuring Colby and Caitlin, airs on public television.

2015  AMS awarded long-term military contract to train Navy SEALs on Denali.

2017  Five AMS Mountain Guides receive the prestigious National Park Service’s Mislow–Swanson Denali Pro Award for exemplary expedition behavior.