FAQs - International and Alaska

Where does Colorado Mountain School go?

CMS currently climbs and skis in Argentina, Alaska, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nepal and Mexico. In the past, we have done trips to Chile, Patagonia and Europe, to name a few. If you have an area of special interest, inquire with our Expedition Manager – we may be able to arrange a trip.

Where should I start?

That will depend upon your ultimate goals, experience and time and price allowance. If you have never climbed, never been at altitude, or never been on an international trip, our Mexico’s 2 Giants, Ecuador Volcanoes and Alaska Mountaineering Seminar are great places to start.

Each trip has specific prerequisites and it is best to speak with our office team. Given your goals and experience, they will be able to make the most appropriate recommendations.

How do I sign up?

Contact us. A deposit of $900 or 25% will be required to hold your spot. Once we confirm your position on the Team, we will send you a confirmation packet. Enclosed will be detailed trip logistics, an equipment list and several other informative pieces. There will also be some required paperwork for you to fill out; an official trip application, a climbing resume, medical form, etc. We will request payment-in-full 60 days prior to departure.

When should I sign up for a trip?

Trips do fill up, so sooner is better than later. We accept reservations a year in advance and typically recommend signing up three or more months before the departure date. We can usually accommodate sign ups until one month prior, but to guarantee your spot you should speak with our Expedition Manager.

What is included in the CMS cost?

All accommodations during the trip schedule, except at en-route stopover cities. All internal transportation. All permits and fees. All meals while in the mountains. All group gear.

What is not included in the CMS cost?

The CMS cost does not include airfare to/from the destination city. Please contact our office team if you would like assistance in purchasing your plane tickets or contact a travel agent. The cost also does not include meals in cities and towns, airport fees, en-route accommodations in stopover cities, travel insurance, personal expenses (i.e. laundry, phone calls, etc.), expenses resulting from delays due to bad weather, government actions, sickness, acts of nature, flight delays and guide and porter gratuities (which are not mandatory, but customary).

What gear will I need?

It will depend upon which trip you will be going on. Once you join a trip, we will send you a detailed equipment list and your guide will be happy to discuss your gear selection with you. You may also request a list, or see the equipment list on our website under each specific trip.

What are the accommodations like?

All trips typically begin in large metropolitan cities, where we stay in comfortable hotels with hot water, private bathrooms and trusted staff. Some of our trips leave these hotels after one night and spend the remaining time camping in four-season tents in the mountains, while other trips split time between tent living and hotel living. Our Mexico and Ecuador programs are hut based, with mountain nights spent in dormitory-style huts complete with electricity and bathrooms. We can often make single room/tent arrangements for a small fee. If you have a request or require special arrangements, please inquire with our international climbs manager.

What kind of shape do I need to be in?

All of our trips are physically demanding. Whether you are in Mexico, Nepal or Alaska, you will be putting your body to the test on serious climbs. Climbing days are usually long, anywhere from 8-20 hours, and require mental and physical tenacity as well as climbing skill. All participants should be training for their trips at least three months prior to the departure date. For specific suggestions on training, please contact our office team, or speak with Total Climbing’s training director, Chris Wall (M.S., CSCS). Chris has advanced education in high-altitude physiology and is an excellent resource in preparing for your trip. A good general resource is Climbing: Training for Peak Performance, by Clyde Soles, Mountaineers Books, 2002.

What kind of people will be on my team?

From doctors to students, and artists to accountants, our teams are always a diverse group of people. All members are appropriately chosen for their particular climb and come excited to climb and travel with a new group of friends.

Is international climbing safe?

Some of the greatest big-mountain climbing in the world happens in countries where phone lines are low-tech, electricity is not universal, and campesinos (local farmers) may strike on a monthly basis for more rights. All of these factors, plus many others, combine to make international travel what it is: a radical break from one’s normal everyday life into adventure. Adventure, by its very definition, involves the unexpected. With all this in mind, however, our trips are geared toward climbing adventure and not urban adventure. All of our guides are well traveled in the areas in which they guide and can lead you through the cities and towns as competently as they lead you in the mountains.

Should I purchase trip insurance?

The Colorado Mountain School strongly encourages you to consider purchasing travel insurance for your trip and recommends Travel Guard “Adventure Travel Protection Plan.” This insurance offers 24-hr assistance and coverage for: trip cancellation/interruption/delay, equipment loss/delay, and medical and evacuation expenses. A brochure can be viewed by clicking here and the insurance can be easily purchased by clicking here.

Can CMS arrange private or custom trips for me or my team?

We would be pleased to discuss your private or custom trip ideas. In the past we have arranged special “first ascent trips” to remote peaks, corporate adventures, and private treks to exotic locations. Please contact our Expedition Manager to discuss your ideas and destinations.

I’d like to learn more…

Please reference each trip page for specific trip information or contact our Expedition Manager directly for more information.