In trying to determine the quality of a product or service, few things speak louder and carry more meaning than first-hand experiences and personal testimony. In an effort to try to give you a clear idea of who we are, what we stand for, and how we operate our business, we would like to share some of the thousands of testimonials that we have received from members of our courses, guided climbs, and expeditions over the years.

    As part of AAI's ongoing efforts to keep improving the way we do business and continue to meet or exceed climbers' expectations, we ask each climber who joins us to pass along their thoughts and feedback in a formal manner. We make this possible via a written form and also via our web site in an electronic format. We ask a series of questions that cover climbers' experiences from their first contact with AAI through their post-trip debrief.

    We take both positive feedback and constructive criticism to heart and use it to assure that we continue to give climbers like you a great experience. We hope you enjoy reading samples from the past years feedback, and that you will join an AAI program and share some of the rich experiences that our programs and staff have to offer.

1. What was your overall impression of your guide? What did your guide do well? What could your guide improve on?

• The guides were awesome. They had confidence in us and we had confidence in them it turned into some fun climbing. Nice people too.
  
  
• I really enjoyed my guides on this trip. Their skills as climbers were evident, and not once did I question their judgment or instruction. They were always in a great mood, and eager to teach, answer questions and get to know each of the clients further. Both guides were very approachable, and always ready for a good laugh or story. They listened to our concerns and input on the day to day activities and made it clear that it was the client's trip, not theirs, willing to customize it to our needs and wants.


• Both of the guides were first rate. They both exhibited uncommon leadership and interpersonal skills that, coupled with their professionalism and technical expertise, contributed to a highly instructive week that exceeded all expectations.


• The lead guide was a true professional in all aspects of his job. I found him to be patient when we had problems, cool under stress-when we had the crevasse fall, and very knowledgeable in all aspects of our training. He is a first rate guide...The second guide was also excellent...his style is quite different than the lead guides, but the two complimented each other. I found both guides to bring a certain intellectual insight to our training and was very patient and knowledgeable as well. Neither guide tried to impress us with their accomplishments but instead focused on improving our skills as climbers.


• Both guides are extremely knowledgeable, and display a passion for what they do that is refreshing in this day and age. They were very patient with our many questions, and made sure that we understood what they were teaching. My guides was especially was very calm under fire when one of the folks on our rope team dropped into a crevasse when the lip of the crevasse gave way. The event ended up being a real life validation of the self-arrest and crevasse rescue skills that we had learned in the previous days. I would definitely climb with either of my guides in the future and intend to do so.


• Both guides were very capable and adept to handling the mountain. They were experienced and skilled at dealing with any problems that came up and recognized the individual desires of the group. They appeared to get along with each other very well.


• I thought that they put in a lot of face time with the group participants and recognized that each member had their own needs. I looked up to them for advice, but I wish they had allowed us to make more of the decisions. Granted, knowing that it was a prep course, they had a pretty set outline to follow and probably allowed us to make all the decisions we wanted.

2. What did your guide do well. Would you suggest any impovements?

• My guide, in addition to having excellent alpine skills is a patient and articulate teacher and cooks extremely well. I always felt safe despite being on a trip with a fair amount of uncertainty and the potential for objective hazard. He also has a great sense of humor and ably worked our group into a good team.


• Both guides did a great job of teaching. I rarely felt like I needed to have them clarify anything. The topic at hand was explained clearly and well.


• Both guides were able to explain technique and skills in a way that it was easy to understand quickly. Always willing to delve deeper into a topic if need be. They were good listeners, and made the atmosphere comfortable for the clients. Always ready for a good laugh and story in the cook tent, and willing to share their experiences. There were able to relate to each of us.


• From the first meeting to the final days waiting for K2 to fly us out, our guides never wavered in their enthusiastic approach. Both are smart individuals that will continue to excel in their profession.


• Both guides did a great job. As I mentioned before I think their patience was excellent. As a guy who had a few issues along the way, they always would stop and spend the time to work through my questions. I had a screw up where I let my water bottle slide down a slope in an area that might of had some issues. Neither guide made a fuss, no worries- we will get it later. So one guide roped himself up and I handled the rope while he retrieved my wayward water bottle. And I must say they both did an excellent job cooking our dinners and planning our lunches. The food was excellent-in fact I may have gained a couple of pounds. They had the coffee ready when we rolled out of our tents which was great.


• Excellent teaching and demonstration skills, listened to the questions being asked and the remarks of the team. Built a camaraderie within the team with their good nature and very fun sense of humor. Took charge when it counted.


• The purpose of the prep course was to inform us and teach us skills on the mountain, which they excelled at and they knew the subject matter very well.


• Patience, humor, friendly - all soft skills very strong. Cooking - very good. Excellent technical skills and local knowledge.


• They taught the basics of what was needed to develop skills for future trips. They gave us the opportunities rest, eat and sleep without taking away from the experience.

3. In what ways was the course curriculum designed well? Improvements?

• I had a whole list of stuff that I wanted to learn and thats what I learned. Then there was a whole list of extra material that my guide came up with that he thought I should learn and I learned that too.


• Illustrated the difficulties of living /functioning on the mountain well.


• I liked the idea that it was the client's trip, not the guide's trip. They were willing to customize it towards our desire, but still accomplish our curriculum.


• It gave us the opportunity to start from scratch. By the end we were able to climb to Mt. Francis with ease but we still got the thrill. Believe me, the thrill was there.

4. How did the office and equipment shop staff perform?

• I have found the overall level of professionalism of the AAI organization to be outstanding.


• Service was great. Prompt and thorough responses to questions.


• A+ to everyone in the office for being helpful.
• The list of gear is perfect, it has the list but also the description and examples of brands and models, excellent! A description of the climbing day, including duration and difficulty grade, should also be included.

5. Why did you choose the American Alpine Institute?

• I wasn't impressed with another guide service when I used them last year. The Institute had a better trip selection tailored to different needs at a better price. e.g. The other guide service had a similar program but required that the client bring all of their own food, cooking gear, and tent, for the same price as the Institute's, if not higher.


• Frankly I thought your web site was very professional and someone had mentioned you did a good job. I canŐt remember who that someone was but it was a bit of a shot on my part. I also liked the time the Program Coordinator spent with me on the phone as I asked about the program. He was very helpful, friendly and not pushy.


• I looked through all of the guide services supplied by Denali National Park and decided this was the best course to do with my experience.

6. How did you find the meal planning for your trip. Recommendations for Improvement?:

• I was stunned at how good the food was. Hard to make any suggestions.


• Food was absolutely great. Plenty of it and never felt the need to crack open my own snacks that I brought.


• Meals and food were too good. I think I may have gained weight, though, that might be more attributable to pre- and post-trip gluttony at the West Rib in Talkeetna.


• Food was great. I had no expectations going into the trip. I was thinking it would be freeze dried food all week. But the guides did a great job with the cooking.


• They made lots of food each night and everyone said you must eat even if your not all that hungry, so you have energy to burn. I may well have put on some pounds, but it's all good, I would rather put on the pounds with good food and good friends. If I make the next step to climb Denali, it will be with AAI.


• The food was fantastic!


• Mmmm, Everything was darn good.


• I must say they both did an excellent job cooking our dinners and planning our lunches. The food was excellent-in fact I may have gained a couple of pounds. They had the coffee ready when we rolled out of our tents which was great.