Ama Dablam means ‘mother’s necklace’ in reference to the hanging serac looming between her outstretched, open arms. It’s one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

Ama Dablam is situated in the Khumbu Valley that leads to Sagarmatha, Mount Everest. We will trek from tea house to tea house, gradually acclimatizing in hospitable accommodations until we reach the terminus of the valley at Mount Everest Basecamp. When the team is ready, we will climb Lobuche East (20,075F/6119M) and Imja Tse (Island Peak, 20,226F/6164M) in preparation for Ama Dablam (22,349F/6812M.)

I first visited the foothills of the Himalaya in 2012. There, I was introduced to the idea of walking in the mountains as a spiritual practice. This was before I’d ever climbed a pitch of outdoor rock. The magnitude of the Himalaya was profound. Almost exactly 10 years later, I returned to Nepal and climbed Ama Dablam.

This trip is a dream come true for me. I hope that you’ll be able to join. We will have Sherpa and porter support from the logistics company that I climbed with in 2022. If you would like to arrange a call to discuss details, send me a message and we can set it up.

MINIMUM PARTICIPANT: 2
MAXIMUM PARTICIPANT: 6
COST: $8,000/each 2p, $7,500/each 3<

DATES: October 15, 2025 to November 15, 2025

$1,000 deposit due August 1 (See AMA DABLAM | Deposit)

Includes: Lodging, meals, guides, porter support, permit fees, fixed rope fees, RT flights Kathmandu to Lukla, transportation in Nepal

Excludes: RT airfare to Kathmandu, incidentals, trip insurance, rescue insurance, personal equipment, helicopter fees (not part of itinerary,) porter and guide gratuities

Join me in May for an ascent of Wy’East (Mount Hood) in Oregon! This pricing reflects the cost per person for a party of two on a one-day ascent of Hood (11,249 feet.) (I.e. at check out, select 2 for the quantity. Each climber can pay individually, but you must come with your own partner. See 1:1 pricing if you’re solo!)

We can climb any of the following routes, pending climbers’ experience:

Pearly Gates - Standard Route

Reid Glacier Headwall - AI 2-3, Steep Snow

Leuthold Couloir - Steep Snow

Devils Kitchen Headwall - AI2, Steep Snow

Contact me for gear list, dates and details at picketalpineguides@gmail.com.

This climb is offered in collaboration with Kaf Adventures, a local guide service that has permits to operate on Wy’East.

Join me at the toe of the Coleman Glacier to learn ice climbing fundamentals. Learn how to place snow and ice protection, steep ice climbing technique, crevasse rescue and what it takes to climb ice in the mountains. At the end of the program, we will make an ascent of Mount Baker’s North Ridge. This program will prepare you to climb objectives like: Kautz Glacier on Rainier, Devil’s Kitchen on Hood, NW Couloir on Eldorado, North Face of Chair Peak.

MINIMUM PARTICIPANT: 2
MAXIMUM PARTICIPANT: 4
COST: $1295
DATES: June 5-8, 2025