Jason_Martin

We now have over $3,600 in donations for the event! We will be selling Boundary Bay IPAs for $3 a cup and Rudy's Pizza for $2 a slice. This event is going to be awesome! Check it out! Jason

Alright! Things are coming together! We have booked food (pizza and beer) for the evening event. We have also booked a acoustic musician (Quinton Rundell). And we will be premiering the film, Fifty Years in the Mountains. In addition to all of this, we will be having a raffle and an auction. Raffle tickets are $5 each and they can be purchased any time. If you purchase a ticket and are not on site to pick up your prize, then we will mail the prize to you. Following is a list of donations for the raffle: Mountain Gear - 4 $50 gift certificates Stevens Pass - 4 day passes and 4 hats Petzl - Snowracer Ice Axe ($95 value) Julbo - Zebra Revolution Googles ($160 value) Tendon Ropes - 30 meter ski rope ($100 value American Alpine Institute - 2 T-shirts American Alpine Institute - Ski Tune and Wax American Alpine Institute - Splitboard or Snowshoe Rental American Alpine Institute - $25 Shop Gift Certificate We will be having an auction for five extremely valuable items. Four of the items will be available for a silent auction and the last item will be available for a live auction. Here is a list of the silent auction items: Mountain Equipment UK - Firefox Shell Jacket We have one male and one female version of the jacket. These each have a value of $350. The minimum bid will be $25 and will be in the silent auction. Rab - Xenon Jacket We have one male and one female version of the jacket. These each have a value of $225. The minimum bid will be $25 and will be in the silent auction. And lastly from Hilliberg, we have a Nammatj 2GT tent that's green. This tent has a value of $685. This will be the only item in the live auction and will have a minimum bid of $50. To see links to these items, please click on the following link: http://alpineinstitute.blogspot.com/2011/11/international-mountain-day-prize-update.html If you do not think you'll be able to attend the event, but would like to put down a bid on either the official silent auction items, or you would like to place a bid on the tent remotely, please call us at 360-671-1505. Jason

Things are coming together for our third annual International Mountain Day Celebration. It looks like some very cool things have been added to the line-up for the day. Donations for Raffle and Auction We will be selling raffle tickets for $5 each. Historically, people have done very well at these events. Indeed, we've watched people walk off with snowboards, tents and ski tickets! This year will will also be having a live auction for some of the most high end items. We currently have the following sponsors who have donated items to the event: Mountain Gear, Stevens Pass, Outdoor Research, Recon Instruments, Petzl, Black Diamond, FiveTen, Hilleberg, Rab, Tendon Ropes, and Mountain Equipment UK! Avalanche Awarness, Movie, Food and Live Music At 6pm we will open the doors at Allied Arts, where we will serve pizza and beer. (Please bring cash!) There will be live music during this time provided by Bellingham's Quinton Rundell! At 7pm we will start our avalanche awareness presentation. After all that, we will show the short film, "50 Years in the Mountains." This is a great piece about -- yep, you guessed it -- mountaineering over the last fifty years. Throughout the night we will be raffling off items. Though you can buy tickets ahead of time from our equipment shop and do not have to be present to win. To learn more check out our website: http://aai.cc/imd.asp Jason

On December 3rd the American Alpine Institute will be celebrating International Mountain Day in Bellingham. This is the third time that we've done a benefit for a good cause up here...and this year we're benefiting one of the best causes of all, the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center! We will be offering two rock rescue clinics at the YMCA, then a avalanche awareness seminar at Allied Arts in the evening. Rock rescue seminars are free (but please donate for raffle tickets) and will take place at 11:30am and 2:00pm. The avalanche seminar is also free, but we will be selling raffle tickets. Additionally, there will be live music, food and beer at the evening session. The food and beer has been donated, but we will be selling this as well to raise money for NWAC. Over the last two years we have given out many thousands of dollars worth of prizes to those who have participated in the event. It is well worth attending; first, to build on your knowledge. Second, to support a worthy cause. And third, to have fun. We are currently being sponsored by the YMCA, Allied Arts, Mountain Gear, Black Diamond, Five Ten, Outdoor Research, Stevens Pass, and Recon Instruments. More sponsors are committing every day...! To learn more about our International Mountain Day celebration, log onto http://aai.cc/imd.asp. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 360-671-1505. Jason

Thanks guys. We're full. I'll let everyone know next time we have something like this in the area... Jason

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The American Alpine Institute is running an American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor Exam on Sunday in Leavenworth. We are currently seeking individuals who would like to play the role of student for the exam candidates on: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2011 Primarily we are interested in climbers who haven't spent a great deal of time outdoors. The exam candidates will provide a day's worth of climbing instruction to those who are interested under the supervision of an AMGA Certified Rock Guide for FREE. Mock students will work with the guides from approximately 9am to 4pm. If you need to leave early, that's certainly fine. The ideal "mock client" will have rock shoes, a helmet and a harness, though if you don't have one of these things, we may be able to provide it. The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Single Pitch Instructor Course and exam is the first in the AMGA sequence of climbing instructor and guide training programs. The SPI course was designed to help capable recreational climbers transition into capable and effective climbing instructors. The course focuses on the technical skills required by an instructor as they are applied in all forms of single pitch climbing instruction. In addition to this, the course addresses the essential educational and environmental tenets required to teach climbing. Those seeking certification may go on to take a two-day field examination following the course. Certified Single Pitch Instructors are expected to demonstrate the technical and educational proficiencies necessary to instruct a variety of single pitch rock climbing skills in a safe and effective manner to both groups and individuals. To read more about the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course and exam, please click on the following link: http://www.aai.cc/ProgramDetail/spi/ If you would like to participate in this guide assessment as a mock student and to obtain some free training, please call JASON or JAMES between 9am and 5pm on a business day at 360-671-1505. Thanks, Jason Martin Director of Field Operations American Alpine Institute

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The Equipment Shop at the American Alpine Institute in Bellingham will be having its huge, in-store new and used equipment sale on September 30th and October 1st. In addition to the sale, AAI guides will be presenting free climbing clinics! Following is the schedule: Sale, Friday September 30th, 8-6 Sale and Free Clinics: Saturday, October 1st, 9 to 4 (Sale is officially 8 AM - 2PM, but may go longer) 9am - Crevasse Rescue Techniques 10:30am - Avalanche Beacon Search 12:00pm - Rock Rescue Techniques: Passing a Knot/Lowering an injured partner 1:30pm - Rock Rescue Techniques: Escaping the Belay 3:00pm - Crevasse Rescue Techniques If you would like to attend one of the clinics, please contact us to sign up at either: info@guideschoice.com or call the Equipment Shop at 360-671-1570. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased to benefit both the American Safe Climbing Association and the North Cascades Institute . Thanks for your support and see you there!

The American Alpine Institute is currently seeking a Bellingham-based intern to assist with the planning of an event in early December. The intern will begin working on the event in October, putting in a few hours a week. The time commitment will be minimal until just before the event, at which time the intern will be asked to put in 20 hours or so. Prerequisites: --Must be at least 21 years of age --Must have access to a car --Must be well spoken and able to communicate effectively via telephone or email. --A background in event planning of any sort is desirable Compensation: In return for the work put in, the American Alpine Institute will provide an intern with a $1200 course credit and free rentals for any course that the credit is used on. Application: To apply for this internship, please click on the following link and fill out the Administrative Internship Application: http://www.aai.cc/Employment/ If you have any questions whatsoever, please feel free to email me at jason(at)alpineinstitute.com or call me at 360-671-1505. Jason Martin Director of Field Operations American Alpine Institute

Does anybody care? Jason

It now looks like we may have two positions open. Jason

Please check out the Mountain Project threat and help to save Red Rock Canyon! Jason

There's a great thread right now on Mountainproject about the proposed development across the street from Red Rock and what we can do to stop it. Check it out at: Mountain Project Red Rock Threatened Thread And sign the petition to stop the development at: Save Red Rock! Jason

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American Alpine Institute Job Announcement: Northwest Programs and Expedition Coordinator The American Alpine Institute is seeking an individual for an entry-level program coordination position. This is a year-round full-time position at one of America’s leading mountain climbing schools and international guide services. Duties: *Coordinate the Northwest programs and oversee client bookings for AAI’s programs in Washington State and Canada. *Assist in the management of programs in Alaska, California, Nevada, Colorado and Utah. *Advise AAI’s executive director on Northwest mountaineering programs, risk management, and human resource issues. *Participate as one member of a dynamic team in strategic and operational planning and in the design and completion of special projects. Requirements: *Knowledge of the Cascade Range and a willingness to learn about “off-the-beaten-path” areas in Washington State and Canada. *Abilities to write and speak articulately, creatively, and effectively *An ability to work with a high level of energy, commitment, and responsibility. *Climbing experience is required. *Guiding experience at any level is helpful, but not required. Location: *Bellingham, Washington, a beautiful and environmentally conscious town ranked #1 in the US by Outside magazine for quality of life in a community with exceptional opportunities for national caliber outdoor sports (cragging, alpine rock, glacier climbing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, trail running). Compensation: *$24,000 to $29,000 (DOE). Vacation pay, holiday pay, and health insurance benefits increase with time. For a prospectus and application, please visit: http://aai.cc/Employment/ Submit application, résumé, and cover letter to info@aai.cc Please feel free to contact Jason Martin at 360-671-1505 or at jason@aai.cc with any questions. Thanks, Jason Martin Director of Field Operations American Alpine Institute

The idea student will be somewhat new to climbing, will have rock shoes, a helmet, and a harness, and will be willing to be there on time... Jason

The American Alpine Institute is running an American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor Exam on Tuesday in Leavenworth. We are currently seeking individuals who would like to play the role of student for the exam candidates on: TUESDAY, JULY 19 Primarily we are interested in climbers who haven't spent a great deal of time outdoors. The exam candidates will provide a day's worth of climbing instruction to those who are interested under the supervision of an AMGA Certified Rock Guide for FREE. Mock students will work with the guides from approximately 9am to 4pm. If you need to leave early, that's certainly fine. The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Single Pitch Instructor Course and exam is the first in the AMGA sequence of climbing instructor and guide training programs. The SPI course was designed to help capable recreational climbers transition into capable and effective climbing instructors. The course focuses on the technical skills required by an instructor as they are applied in all forms of single pitch climbing instruction. In addition to this, the course addresses the essential educational and environmental tenets required to teach climbing. Those seeking certification may go on to take a two day field examination following the course. Certified Single Pitch Instructors are expected to demonstrate the technical and educational proficiencies necessary to instruct a variety of single pitch rock climbing skills in a safe and effective manner to both groups and individuals. To read more about the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course and exam, please click on the following link: http://www.aai.cc/ProgramDetail/spi/ If you would like to participate in this guide assessment as a mock student and to obtain some free training, please call JASON or KATY between 9am and 5pm on a business day at 360-671-1505. Thanks, Jason Martin Director of Field Operations American Alpine Institute

Dan, It's my understanding that the fatality on Baker was in the same hole that you pulled those people out of all those years ago... Jason

Does anybody know where we should send letters commenting on this situation? It says that the State Senate's Natural Resource Committee will take this up today... Jason

It's tonight! Jason

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International Mountain Day is on Saturday and we are literally swimming in gear donations that we're going to give away! Yep in the middle of the picture there, there is a stack of passes to Stevens Pass that is nearly an inch thick. And yep, that is a Hilleberg tent in the foreground...and we still have more donations coming in from SMC and Petzl! Donations have been made from the following companies: Stevens Pass, Egear, Tendon, Mountain Gear, REI, Backcountry Essentials, Hilleberg, Fairhaven Runners and Walkers, SMC, Petzl, The Mountain Runners Film, Outdoor Research, Black Diamond, the YMCA, American Museum of Radio and Electricity and Boundary Bay! Raffle tickets are five dollars each and of course, all profits will go to Greg Mortenson's Central Asia Institute. We still have plenty of space in our rock rescue clinics at the Y. If you don't know if you can make it, you're welcome to just show up and we'll probably have space. And of course there's tons of room at the Museum of Radio for our avy awareness seminar! Looking forward to it! Jason

There's a rumor going around that I unfortunately have to set straight... There will be beer at our event on Saturday in Bellingham, but it won't be free. We were initially telling people that there would be free beer at our Avy Awareness event on Saturday night...but the Museum of Radio and Electricity has told us that this is against their rules. They have to charge for it. All proceeds will still go to the Central Asia Institute...so you will have to buy beer, but it's for a good cause... If you don't know what's going on, check out the write-up in the events forum or log onto: http://aai.cc/imd.asp Jason