OUR BLOG
Insights and Stories from Our Experts
How to Backcountry Ski
How to Backcountry Ski Imagine being able to rip through fresh, untouched powder all day without waiting in line to get on a chairlift. At Apex Mountain School that is exactly the dream that we love to make come true. We have several courses and guided trips designed...
Meet Our Guides: Jesse Yelverton
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the Vail Valley? I actually make the commute down from the highest city in the country, beautiful Leadville Colorado. I've been based in Leadville for 7 years! What is your favorite thing to do outside? It...
Bob Pettit – Get To Know Our Guides
Bob Pettit Apex Adventure Climbing Guide Where are you from originally? Phoenix, Arizona. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Long multi-pitch climbs. I’ve been having fun clipping bolts but if it's for myself I’d rather do long adventure climbs. My last trip...
Mt. Elbert – The Tallest Peak in Colorado
Mt. Elbert - The Tallest Peak in Colorado Join Apex Mountain School for a hike up the tallest Fourteener in Colorado! One of the most classic Colorado manias is hiking "Fourteeners." With over 50 Fourteeners in Colorado there are plenty to choose from. If you’re going...
Rock Climb More!
Rock Climb More! Practice on easy climbs, get comfortable and then take awesome pictures. Rock climbing season has arrived! Whether you’re thinking about going rock climbing for the first time ever or you’re a hardcore boulderer pushing V8 there is...
Lowering a Climber in Guide Mode
How to Lower a Climber From Above Using an Assisted Braking Device Click the Image Below to View the Video: Apex guide David is back with another How-to Tech Tip! In the last video, we learned how to belay a climber from the top of a climb, now let’s learn how to...
Apex Mountain School’s Newest Partner
Apex Mountain School Has a New Partner in Town! Apex Mountain School is excited to announce our newest partnership! After many years of patronage with the Vail Valley’s favorite local eatery, Avon Bakery and Deli, we have decided to make our relationship official....
Hardshell Jackets for Spring and Summer Alpine Objectives:
During spring, summer and fall, alpine terrain becomes vastly more accessible to climbing, hiking, skiing and mountaineering. Warmer temperatures and lower avalanche danger create great conditions for pursuing a myriad of outdoor objectives. However, even in warmer...
Tech Tip Video: Belay From The Top
At Apex Mountain School, outdoor education is our passion. Whether skiing in the backcountry or climbing in the Vail Valley and beyond, the opportunity to share our knowledge and experience with clients is what we value most. To show our appreciation...
Field Book Rose Insert
AIARE Rose Insert
Fitness Conditioning for Mountaineering
Fitness conditioning for mountaineering becomes an even greater focus for me as winter gains momentum and the snow continues to fly. In preparation for a winter of guiding backcountry ski touring and mountaineering, as well as leading avalanche education courses, i...
A Rock Climbing Guide’s Perspective
A Rock Climbing Guide’s Perspective Fall in Vail is an exceptional time to climb, and not just because of the beautiful aspens changing and coloring every mountain side a burning yellow. The shaded crags, or climbing areas, like Roof Rock and Gilman Canyon can be...
Ropes That Rule
Our Edelweiss Supereverdry Curve Unicore workhorse holds a place of honor in our office. Ropes: 60m, 70m Edelweiss Supereverdry Curve Unicore 9.8mm Rope When these ropes first arrived in their cardboard mailing box, our guides ripped the tape open, removed the two 60m...
Director’s Picks: HERA Climb4Life Attache
Petzl’s HERA Climb4Life attache These bright blue HERA Climb4Life locking carabiners by Petzl play a key role in the gear fleet at Vail, Colorado’s Apex Mountain School. Great for use climbing both rock and ice, the simple, compact design makes it a useful tool,...
Director’s Picks: Scott’s favorite boot
When Scott, the director of the mountain guide service where I’m employed, returned from his AMGA Ice Instructor course in Canmore, Alberta, one of the first things he spoke about as highlights from his three weeks away was his pair of Arc’teryx Acrux AR...
Director’s Picks: Metolius Offset Master Cams
Metolius: Offset Master Cams Metolius Offset Master Cams are a great product at a great price. I started using them in Unaweep, South Platte, Vedauwoo, and Joshua Tree National Park, locations notorious for offset and expanding cracks. Metolius Offset Master Cams are...
Director’s Picks: Approach Shoes of ’14
Director’s Picks – 2014 Approach Shoes July 31, 2014 by scott Leave a Comment I’m happy to say that after years of inquiries from our clients, Apex’s Director (well, that is, me) has started an equipment blog to provide reviews on what products we like best in the...
Black Diamond Acid Test
Is my climbing harness safe? The story starts with a mysterious incident. A Black Diamond Customer was climbing at his local rock gym when suddenly POP, his harness ripped off at his waist while top-roping one afternoon. The climber immediately contacted Black Diamond...
Apex’s Jon Kedrowski on Gasherbrum 2
Over the past 2 weeks Apex’s Dr. Jon Kedrowski has been positioning for a summit attempt on the infamous Gasherbrum 1 and 2 in the Baltoro Glacier Region of the Karakoram Range in the Himalaya. Jon and his team arrived July 7th at the moraine base camp after an 80...
Backcountry Avalanche Training
Headed out to backcountry ski or snowboard this winter? Make sure you are properly educated about avalanches first – Avalanche Education is a crucial tool for anyone venturing out of bounds in the winter. Basic avalanche education includes: Characteristics and types...
Backcountry Skiing Colorado’s 10th Mountain Division Huts
In the mid 20th century, Fritz Benedict dreamed of creating a Colorado hut system modeled after the European Alps’ Haute route. The WWII 10thMountain Division soldier teamed up with an Aspen architect, and created what is today considered one of the premier...
Best Climbing Spots in Thailand
Thailand’s international tourism industry is booming. In the past couple of years Thailand has seen a sharp increase in American tourists and welcomes all who visit. To add to the appeal, the beautiful islands of Koh Phi Phi, Railay, and Koh Yao Noi are home to some...
The ice is in!
As the Vail Valley ski areas await more snow, ice climbers are enjoying unseasonably thick ice falls right here in East Vail! Ice climbing is a great way to get out and enjoy the spectacular mountains of Colorado on ice formations ranging from low angle beginner to...
Winter 2011 Courses
Colorado is having a record year for snowfall – Vail’s snowpack is 137% above the yearly average. With plenty of snow to feed the icefalls, the ice is in equally impressive condition. In such a banner year we hope you join us to hit the Colorado backcountry slopes on...
Avalanche Course Update
AIARE: Level 1 Avalanche Course As you know from our last blog, Apex Mountain School will be offering AIARE level 1 Avalanche Education Courses in Colorado’s Vail Valley. Apex has teamed up with AIARE (the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) to...
AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Courses
If you love to backcountry ski, snowboard, and snowmobile, it’s likely you love to play in the deep, untracked, powder snow. There is nothing better than the feeling of floating through the snow as you cut that perfect line. Or maybe you ice climb in exposed...
Replacing Cam Slings
Climbing gear holds the most important thing in the world, your life! With so much riding on the protection of your gear, it’s essential to know the weak links in your system and to reduce the possibility of a failure. Climbing gear that is made of cloth-like material...
It’s snowing in Vail!
That’s right, we’re getting our first snow storm. Currently, it’s 30 degrees out with 2 inches of accumulated snow on the ground, and it’s still coming down! Many of our resorts are blowing snow and it seems we’re off to a great start for the snow base, both at the...
Wilderness First Responder and WFR Recertification, Fall 2010:
From families enjoying day activities to weekend warriors to the seasoned backcountry enthusiast, most of us in the mountains explore the wilderness at some point. However infrequently it may be, accidents do happen. Being prepared to respond is a great way to...
