CTSS Team

Our 2nd Alpine Academy team has successfully summited Mount Baker! Here’s a look at who has stood on the summit this season.

For those of you looking to jump on a trip this season, you’re in luck! We have a few more spots available for our July 10th 5-day Alpine Academy. Click the link below to learn more and to express your interest.

Photos from the CTSS Archives: 

Our Denali team is officially off the mountain this time around; the mountain wasn’t ready to give up this hard-earned summit. Here at CTSS, safety and success are always our top priorities, but always in that order.

Our team was unable to make a summit bid due to the persistent weather and wind that continued to affect all the teams. We send the entire team a massive congratulations for sticking it out on the mountain, ready for the opportunity to arise. As we all know, having to turn around before your summit bid can happen when we climb big mountains. Because this is always a potential, we encourage all of our climbers to take time to discover and articulate their goals and their “why” before each expedition. When climbers take a moment to reflect before their expedition, it makes trying times like these feel less like a failure, as you can lean on the success of all your additional goals and objectives for this expedition.

Here is a short video from Alan Arnette on coping with failure and some tools and ideas climbers can employ. This video is from our Mindset for Mountaineers webinar, which is available to replay on our YouTube Channel or by clicking here.

And a few images of the team on Denali from CTSS guide Dallas Glass.

Our private Ecuador Volcanoes team just completed a successful two-peak expedition with summits on Cotopaxi (19,347 ft) and Chimborazo (20,548 ft).

First up was Cotopaxi, where the team pushed through harsh weather to tag one of Ecuador’s most sought-after volcanoes. This peak is known to challenge a climber’s endurance in the best of conditions. In tough weather like this, it is a serious feather in any climber’s cap

After Cotopaxi, the team took a well-earned break at Papallacta Hot Springs, a favorite stop for our teams to rest and recover.

They then headed south and summited Chimborazo under cold conditions. Chimbo is Ecuador’s highest peak and the farthest point from Earth’s center. This climb provided excellent training and cold management practice for future 8000m objectives.

A massive kudos to our climbers and guides for pulling off both summits! Now it’s time for more relaxation, where our team will fully immerse themselves in Ecuador’s rich culture and amazing hospitality.

Photos by CTSS guide Benny Lieber

Cotopaxi Summit:

Chimborazo Summit:

Our team on Denali checked in, and here’s the latest from 14,000-foot camp:

A fresh foot of snow has blanketed camp, and the team is holding steady, waiting patiently for the right summit window. The weather continues to stall any forward movement, but CTSS guide Dallas Glass is hopeful the break we’ve been watching will open up in the coming days.

Despite the delays, the team is doing well. They’re embracing the slower pace with grace, humility, and plenty of shared laughter. As we all know, patience isn’t passive in the mountains. It’s an active choice to wait for the weather, for your team, and for the right moment to move.

To our team on Denali: We know tent fever is real, but we’re cheering for you and sending all the good weather vibes for your summit push.

Photo from the CTSS Archives

Here’s the latest from our team on Denali:

Winds continue to hammer down on the upper mountain, but CTSS guide Dallas remains optimistic that a window of light winds is coming their way at the end of the week. The team is hanging tight at their 14,000-foot camp with supplies cached in the upper mountain for their summit bid.

CTSS Owner Mike Hamill, who has guided nearly 20 Denali expeditions, shared his thoughts on North America’s tallest peak, “Denali is one of the most imposing mountains on earth and is considered one of the most challenging climbs because of its extreme weather and serious terrain. I joke that I return to guide Denali each year to prove to myself I’m still a hardcore mountaineer. It is consistently the most arduous work of any of the Seven Summits and a real climbers’ mountain.”

We will continue to keep you all posted on the team’s movement.

Photos below courtesy of (in respective order) Seven Summits finishers Julie McKelvey and Emma Scherwin, as well as Seven Summits aspirant Eva Steinwald.

Our team on Denali, led by CTSS guide Dallas Glass, climbed to 16,500 feet at the end of last week. The team did well and are all in great spirits.

Dallas shared with us that the team will be hanging tight at camp and patiently await their weather window. High winds have made any summit window too small for a successful bid. We will continue to monitor the weather and keep everyone posted on when our team moves to the 17,000-foot camp and above.

In the meantime, our climbers are chopping new tent platforms, enjoying camp time, and making the most of the extra rest days.

Watch our YouTube video below to learn more about Denali. Our 2026 roster is quickly filling up, so drop us a note if you’d like to join the team!

Here is an update from our team on Denali:

The team is at a 14,000-foot camp, where they are taking a rest day and doing some training on the glacier. A short windstorm came through this morning, reminding the team that this is Denali, and they can’t let their guard down.

Tomorrow, the team will climb the headwall to the ridge and cache gear at approximately 16,000 feet. After this and some more rest, the team will set eyes on High Camp at 17,200 feet before dialing in their summit window. We are sending good energy to all of our climbers and guides.

Photos from CTSS archives:

When Eva stood on the summit of the world’s tallest peak on May 18, 2025, she broke a 17-year-old record, becoming the oldest American woman to do so. Five days later, another woman—Susan Agar, age 66—stood in the same place, quietly surpassing her. Eva responded not with disappointment, but with genuine pride and admiration. She publicly celebrated Susan and her accomplishment, lifting her up rather than lamenting her own loss of the record.

After hearing from hundreds of climbers during our Masters Mountaineering webinar, one thing is crystal clear: you’re not done climbing, you just want to do it your way. More than 80% of participants told us they were looking for something different. They wanted to move at a more intentional pace. To climb with like-minded teammates. To chase purpose over performance. Whether you’re getting back in shape, starting fresh in your 50s, or just tired of chasing younger, faster teammates up the hill, you are not alone.

We designed Masters Mountaineering with you in mind. This program offers thoughtfully paced, expertly guided expeditions tailored for climbers 50 and up. It’s about dialing in, not dialing back. About preparation, connection, and building something that lasts longer than the summit buzz. 

Here’s where we are climbing: 

No matter your age, the mountains demand respect. But for climbers over 50, smart prep isn’t optional—it’s essential. We’ve gathered some of the best insights from Eva Steinwald, high-altitude physician Dr. Emily Johnston, and veteran climber Alan Arnette to help you train wisely, fuel effectively, and stay resilient when things get hard.

Training: Train Smart, Not Just Hard

As we age, our bodies demand a more thoughtful approach to training. It’s not about backing off, it’s about building a foundation that holds up in the big mountains. That means more recovery time, less ego, and a big focus on strength, balance, and flexibility.

Strength training is essential—but not the only piece. Yoga, single-leg work, and core exercises are key to maintaining balance and proprioception, especially on uneven terrain and during technical moves. Don’t just run, train for the terrain you’ll face on summit day.

Nutrition: Eat Like It Matters (Because It Does)

Altitude messes with your appetite, digestion, and food preferences. And yet, you need fuel—reliable, digestible, comforting fuel—more than ever. It’s not the time to try something new or stick to a strict diet.

Eva prepped her food in Ziplock bags, camp by camp, so there were no decisions to make at altitude; just eat and keep moving. Warm snacks, protein, and familiar foods go a long way. And don’t forget your gut health. Probiotics and fiber can help your body handle the stress and strain of high altitude.

Acclimatization & Efficiency: Slow is Fast

If there’s one truth about climbing high, it’s this: rushing ruins everything. Your body needs time to adjust to thinner air, and cutting corners can lead to serious setbacks. That’s why every CTSS trip builds in acclimatization rotations, extra recovery, and proven altitude strategies like the rest step and pressure breathing.

Eva’s Everest ascent was built on this philosophy. Her body thrived on slower rotations, and her summit was stronger because of it. Hydration plays a role, too, but as Dr. Em reminds us, overhydrating can be just as dangerous. Listen to your body. Clear pee is good, but constant peeing isn’t the goal. And yes, you’ll lose water just from breathing up there.

Editor’s Note: While there’s no shortcut to acclimatization, it is possible to shorten your time on the mountain through long-term pre-acclimatization at home. Our Speed Ascents program uses Hypoxico altitude tents and structured training to help climbers safely reduce their time at altitude, without skipping the physiological adaptation your body needs to succeed.

Mindset & Resilience: This Is the Real Work

The physical challenge of climbing is obvious. But the real mountain—the one inside your head—can be harder. Mental fitness means trusting yourself, staying grounded, and learning from every moment, summit or not.

When things got tough, Eva leaned on three simple words: “Can’t. Must. Did.” This mantra started as a reaction to self-doubt. When Eva found herself thinking, “I can’t,” she flipped the script: “If I must, then I will.” And when she did the thing she once feared? That was the final piece: “I Did.” For Eva, it’s a reminder that fear isn’t a stop sign—it’s a signal. A cue to pay attention, steady yourself, summon resolve, and take the next step. Eva’s mantra doesn’t guarantee success, but it helps her show up with intention, trust the process, and give her all, no matter the outcome.

Eva isn’t done climbing. She’s taking time to reflect on her experiences on Everest, making note of the many things she learned, while also training for Spartan races, eyeing more Nepalese peaks, and her 7 Summits x 70 mission fully in motion. She’s climbing like someone who has just hit her stride.

Her story isn’t about defying age. It’s about embracing it with humility, presence, and a sense of what’s still possible. Eva’s story is proof that the mountain doesn’t care how old you are, but it will meet you exactly where you are.

Our inaugural Masters climbs are open, and we want you to come meet your moment with ample support, like-minded climbers, and a program built on purpose.

As we expand this program, we’re looking to add more expeditions tailored for climbers 50+ who want to take on big mountains with expert support and a smart approach. Which peak, or peaks, should be our next Masters Mountaineering destination? Click below to help us shape the future of this program!