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| Mountaineering Programs Worldwide |  |
| We offer a range of programs around the world. Trips range from a day's rock climbing at our local crags in the Chamonix Valley, to major expeditions on far continents. We also like to ski and some of our favorite trips are hut-to-hut tours in the Alps—we do several of these each year. We also enjoy putting together custom trips, both to places we have been before as well as to destinations new to us. If you are interested in a climbing or skiing destination not listed below, give us a call. Odds are we can help you put it together or refer you to someone who can. |
| We have been very fortunate to have traveled to so many of the worlds mountainous countries. There are a few however, that we seem to return to year after year. On this page we provide links to other pages in our site which describe more completely those areas and the trips we do there. |
Alpine, Rock
& Waterfall Climbing
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| Alps | The Alps is our main summer season, and you usually can find us there from the start of July to the end of September. There is amazing variety here, and the climbs are so accessible that it is possible to do a big north face and be back in town by early afternoon, sipping a fine brew. The other unique advantage is the ease with which the extensive hut system allows us to travel relatively unencumbered, with only light day packs, even on multi-day outings. Also, in the winter there is superb waterfall climbing in and nearby the Chamonix Valley. Join us for more fun on ice during the middle of winter, December to the end of February, |
| Les Calanques France | The Rock climbing on the Mediterranean coast. Sun, swimming, cragging, and fine dining in October and November. |
| New Zealand is perhaps the most beautiful country we have ever seen and this is due largely to the Southern Alps on the South Island. Not only are the mountains themselves fantastic, with giant glaciers, and remote valleys, but they also divide the island into a dry east side and a very wet west side. The variety of flora and fauna, as well as the remarkable range of views and terrains must be seen to be believed. Watch the "Lord of the Rings" movies to get just a small taste! | |
| Though we don't often find ourselves in Canada in the summer months, we do make an annual pilgrimage there in the spring to enjoy skiing and ice climbing. The waterfall climbing along the Banff-Jasper Highway is second to none. | |
Expeditions | |
| We first went to Peru over 20 years ago, and have been coming back nearly every year, since. The peaks some of the most amazing looking things we have ever seen, with very sharp, ice-flocked summits. But also special is the entire experience of the trek in, the base camp with our good friend, cook, organizer and colleague Emilio Alvarado and the relaxed pace that an extended stay in the high mountains brings. Our time in Peru usually extends from mid-May to the end of June. | |
| Kyajo Ri, Nepal | We are planning on returning to Nepal in the fall season of 2010. Our objective is Kyajo Ri, a seldom climbed 6186 meter peak in the Khumbu area. This is a technical route, with considerable belayed climbing primarily on snow and ice, but also including some rock and mixed terrain. |
| Aconcagua | In January of 2012, we are heading back to Argentina to climb the highest peak in the western and southern hemispheres. Our route of choice includes a traverse of the peak, ascending the Vacas and Relinchos valleys to the Plaza Argentina Base Camp, and descending via the normal route on the Horcones side. |
| Every so often we make a variation of our Peru schedule and go to Bolivia. One of the best trips we have done there is to the northern end of the Cordillera Real, home to Illampu and Ancohuma. | |
| In the fall months we often find ourselves in Nepal. Our schedule varies from year to year as we often do private trips. but one we do perhaps more frequently than others is Ama Dablam. In our opinion this is the most beautiful mountain in the world, and the climb of its normal route, the Southwest Ridge, is of very high quality. We are usually in Nepal from about mid-October to the end of November. | |
| Though we have only been to Kenya a few times (Kathy three times and Mark once) we have enjoyed the trips so much that we recommend them here. Mount Kenya is a technical rock climb, and a very good one. In the summer and early fall and early season, the rock routes on the north side of the peak are in conditions (the North Face Standard Route on Batian, for example) while in the winter months, the south side routes, such as the McKinders route on Nelion, are in shape. | |
| Years ago we made a trip to the Taghia Gorge, traversed the Atlas Mountains, then continued to the Todra Gorge for more rock climbing. It was a great outing and we felt it would make a superb trip for the rock climbing adventurer. The best time of year of this trip is in the fall, after the summer heat has abated a bit. | |
In addition to the destinations listed above, we can also arrange private trips in many other parts of the U.S. by working as employees of the guide services in these areas:
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| Climbing on Ranrapalca, Peru | |
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Kathy Cosley & Mark Houston AMGA Certified • SNGM members All images, layout and text ©2004 Cosley & Houston Alpine Guides, All Rights Reserved |
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