Willi Prittie has been climbing and guiding for 40 years and it was an honor to climb with him. His stories kept the team entertained as well as motivated for what was ahead. Willi and Lonnie discussing gear and food for Hunter. Image: Chris Worlow We learned tried and true techniques for the Alaskan mountains from a veteran that helped pioneer many of the routes here. Willi has led climbs all over the world and organized many climbs for Alpine Ascents. Willi using the modifi

Every adventure traveler knows that packing your backpack is not like your standard luggage packing process. What we love: Granite Gear Duffels Backpacks are no-fuss carryalls that can be brought onto the cabin to avoid the long wait at the baggage claim, but it may not always be possible for you to avoid checked bags. When it comes to packing and deciding between hand carry and check in baggage, here are a few things to keep in mind: Secure any hanging straps. Checked luggag

Our route up the West Ridge Variation of Hunter to 10,300 feet. The ridge line continues up and left to the Summit. Having done the majority of the difficult climbing we were turned around by approaching weather just 2 days from the summit. Schedule

Finding a relatively safe route on Hunter to avoid seracs, avalanches and the worst of the crevasses was difficult at best. From this point, we had to turn back in search of a better line of ascent to the far right and up the glacier.

We were worried about avalanche in this area and spent 11 hours down climbing from 10,300 to basecamp. Schedule