Spouse Friendly
Spouse Friendly
Spouse-friendly expeditions are designed for partners who want to share the journey together, even when experience levels differ. These programs balance adventure with comfort, flexibility, and strong support systems. Objectives include Everest, Lhotse, Elbrus, Ecuador Volcanoes, Kilimanjaro, Lobuche East, 3 Peaks, and our Rugged Luxury programs.
Need help finding your perfect fit?
Select Your Expedition
Choose Your Expedition Type
Our expedition categories are designed to help climbers identify the style of adventure that best matches their goals, experience level, and timeline. From skill-building courses to advanced expeditions and specialty objectives, each path offers a clear way to explore what’s possible with Climbing the Seven Summits.
Need help finding your perfect fit?
Australian Alpine Academy
Australian Alpine AcademyDifficulty Level: Beginner
The Snowy Mountains in NSW Australia is one of the most unique alpine environments in the world. The landscape itself is defined by gumtrees, wildflowers and limestone gorges and is home to Australia’s largest mainland peak, Mt Kosciuszko. The topography of Kosciuszko National Park makes for rugged and challenging environment that is perfectly suited to learning technical alpine skills. The Australian Alpine Academy focuses on teaching the fundamentals of mountaineering and backcountry travel to prepare for bigger, more technical objectives aboard.
The CTSS Australian Alpine Academy offers two in-depth programs. Choose from our ‘Introduction to Mountaineering – Alpine Academy’ which prepares you for bigger, international peaks or our ‘Winter Ascent of Kosciuszko’ as part of the Seven Summits, or combine them together for a-once-in-a-lifetime Australian winter experience.
Learn why we love climbing and mountaineering in the Snowy Mountains in our blog post Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko: An Unexpected Mountaineering Destination.
- Learn Principles of Mountaineering with world class guides
- Ice climbing at Blue Lakes (course dependent)
- Setting up rappel stations and abseiling techniques
- Snow slope pitching and protection
- Expedition snow camping
- In-depth workshops and hands-on practical experience
- Experience the unique Australian alpine environment
- Opportunity to climb one of the Seven Summits
***On Kosciuszko, CTSS works exclusively with Australian School of Mountaineering (ASM) to offer introductory-level mountaineering programs that align directly with the CTSS progression model and prepare you for future climbs with us worldwide. Owner Mike Hamill handpicked our Kosciuszko partner to ensure CTSS’s standard of logistics, professional support, and local knowledge are met.
We meet prior to our official expedition start in the Australian alpine village of Jindabyne where we will do a complimentary gear check and briefing the afternoon before.
Our expedition proper begins officially in Guthega where we will drop into the back country and enter the main range, snowshoeing to Base Camp.
Our route consists of low angle snow slopes, open plateaus and undulating terrain. Overall the topography is very achievable and provides elements that are perfectly suited to teach beginner and intermediate mountaineering techniques.
The Australian Alpine Academy is designed to expose you to all aspects of expedition style climbing as well as well as winter snow camping so that you can gain practical hands on experience with expert guides in an alpine environment so as to gain the confidence and skills necessary to prepare you for bigger international objectives.
This course is also suited for those with an adventurous mindset who want to experience the Australian alpine environment in in a unique setting!
This Alpine Academy has been organized by Mike Hamill, Owner of Climbing the Seven Summits. Mike has personally guided nearly well over 100 high altitude expeditions, 10 Mt. Everest expeditions, 23 X 8,000m expeditions, has 6 Everest summits, currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu, and has written the guide book to “Climbing the Seven Summits,” making him one of the most experienced guides in the world.
Mike has an impeccable safety record and an unmatched success rate due to his expertise and professionalism and holds all of the CTSS guides to the same high standards as he holds himself. He knows that his choice of guides is the most important decision factor to continued success so CTSS only employs world-class leaders known for their coal face experience, focus on client care and attention to safety
Welcome to “Climbing the Seven Summits” Australian Alpine Academy.
We are delighted to host this unique ‘Introduction to Mountaineering’ course in the Australian Alps in the hope of introducing a new generation of climbers to the joy of the mountains and equip them with a solid foundation of skill and knowledge to allow them to progress onto higher peaks.
As an adopted Aussie, I spend much of my year in Australia and I’ve come to love its unique environment. As an American I’ve grown up climbing on some of the most rugged peaks in the world; from Rainier in the North Cascades to Denali in the Alaskan Range and would have previously dismissed any alpine terrain in Australia.
Yet I’m impressed with the diversity of the terrain in the backcountry and have found it to be an excellent, uncrowded playground perfect for challenging any aspiring climber and laying down the fundamentals of big mountain climbing.
I’m excited to introduce you to this program, and look forward to meeting you in the mountains.
Best regards,
Mike Hamill
Owner and Director, Climbing the Seven Summits
Author of “Climbing the Seven Summits”
Mountaineering Skills Course + Winter Ascent of Mount Kosciuszko
Price: $1,995 (AUD inclusive of GST)
Dates:
- July 20th – 23rd, 2026
- August 3rd – 6th, 2026
This four-day program blends core mountaineering instruction with a winter ascent of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest peak in Australia. You’ll establish a snow base camp above the snowline and spend each day learning essential alpine skills before attempting the summit (weather permitting).
Course Highlights:
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Crampon technique and snow travel
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Self-arrest, ice axe use, and ropework fundamentals
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Snow anchors and avalanche awareness
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Multi-day snow camping at an expedition-style base camp
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Full-day summit bid of Mount Kosciuszko
Ideal for: Climbers aiming to build a solid technical foundation while experiencing a classic winter ascent.
Note: curriculum may be adapted to take advantage of current weather conditions.
Mountaineering Skills Course + Ice Climbing at Blue Lake
Price: $1,995 (AUD inclusive of GST)
Dates:
- August 17th – 20th, 2026
- August 24th – 27th, 2026
This skills-focused course includes a full day of introductory ice climbing at Blue Lake (conditions permitting). Participants will establish a snow base camp above the snowline and spend each day learning essential alpine skills and ice climbing.
Course Highlights:
- Crampon techniques, knots, rope handling, and belaying
- Self-arrest and fixed-line ascension
- Snow camping and cold-weather expedition fundamentals
- Avalanche awareness
- Introductory waterfall ice climbing at Blue Lake
Ideal for: Those most excited about technical skill development and learning the fundamentals of ice climbing.
Note: curriculum may be adapted to take advantage of current weather conditions.
Family Friendly Summer Ascent
Contact us for custom dates and prices
Mount Kosciuszko is the most accessible of the Seven Summits and a great opportunity to bring your family and friends along for the adventure. Many of our Seven Summiteers finish their goal on Mount Kosciuszko as a celebration climb. We can help you arrange your trip self-guided or alongside one of our Australian Alpine Guides.
Expedition Itineraries
Mountaineering Skills Course + Winter Ascent of Mount Kosciuszko Itinerary
Day 1: Base Camp Setup and Basic Mountaineering Skills
- AM: Meet in Jindabyne, gear check & travel to trailhead
- AM Training: Snowshoeing & packing
- Snowshoe to Base Camp
- PM Training: Intro to expedition camping, set up camp
- Overnight at Base Camp
Day 2: Basic Mountaineering Skills
- Full Day Training:
- Basic Mountaineering Skills:
- Crampon techniques
- Self-arrest
- Knots & Hitches
- Fixed-line ascension & rappelling
- Overnight at Base Camp
Day 3: Mt Kosciuszko Ascent
- Full Day Summit Bid:
- Basic Mountaineering Skills:
- Avalanche awareness
- Overnight at Base Camp
Day 4: Basic Mountaineering Skills and Base Camp Breakdown
- AM Training: Snow anchors/protection
- Break down Base Camp
- PM: Return to Jindabyne by approximately 2PM
- Course Wrap Up
Please Note: it is strongly recommended you book accommodation in the area to avoid travelling when you are tired.
Mountaineering Skills Course + Ice Climbing at Blue Lake Itinerary
Day 1: Base Camp Setup and Basic Mountaineering Skills
- AM: Meet in Jindabyne, gear check & travel to trailhead
- AM Training: Snowshoeing & packing
- Snowshoe to Base Camp
- PM Training: Intro to expedition camping, set up camp
- Overnight at Base Camp
Day 2: Basic Mountaineering Skills
- Full Day Training:
- Basic Mountaineering Skills:
- Crampon techniques
- Self-arrest
- Knots & Hitches
- Fixed-line ascension & rappelling
- Overnight at Base Camp
Day 3: Blue Lake Ice Climbing
- Full Day Training: Snowshoe to Blue Lake
- Basic Mountaineering Skills:
- Ice climbing (condition dependent)
- Avalanche awareness
- Overnight at Base Camp
Day 4: Basic Mountaineering Skills and Base Camp Breakdown
- AM Training: Snow anchors/protection
- Break down Base Camp
- PM: Return to Jindabyne by approximately 2PM
- Course Wrap Up
Please Note: it is strongly recommended you book accommodation in the area to avoid travelling when you are tired.
- Strong hiking fitness (you are expected to be able to snowshoe in snow for 6-7kms)
- Ability carry a 15- 20kg pack for up to 6 hours
- An appetite for adventure travel and the ability to spend several days snow camping in the backcountry
Please do not underestimate this alpine environment. While it may seem like mild terrain, it can be challenging with zero visibility white outs, ferocious wind, blizzards and extreme cold.
Australian Alpine Academy Mandatory Personal Equipment List:
Personal Gear Miscellaneous
- In town clothes for Jindabyne
- Print out team emails and bring with you
- Pen/marker
- Power banks/recharger/solar charger with cords (optional)
- Sunscreen – 30+ SPF with high zinc oxide content
- Lip balm or Zinc stick
- Toiletries – toilet paper in zip lock bag, tooth brush, wet wipes etc.
- Glacier Glasses – must be cat 4, darkest lens
- Hand sanitiser x 1 small container
- Ear plugs and eye mask
- Drink bottle – x 2 1 litre Nalgene bottles (insulated covers are optional)
- Camera, phone etc. (optional)
- Headlamp – with extra batteries
- Heavy garbage bag liners x 3 (help to ensure gear is kept dry at all times)
- Insulated mug
- Plate and fork/spork
- Snack Food (gels, chocolate, protein bars etc.)
Lower Body:
- Insulated climbing pants
- Goretex Pants- full zip wind & rain proof pants
- Base layer, 1 x polyprop or merino
- Gaiters – must fit over climbing boots
- 2 x pairs of climbing socks – mid weight
- 2 pairs of underwear (merino are great)
- Mountaineering Boots – single or double
Upper Body:
- Goretex Shell Jacket – wind and rain proof
- 750+ Fill power down jacket with hood
- Mid Layers (fleece or synthetic)
- Base layer, 2 x polyprop or merino
- Gloves or Mittens – 1 pair of base layer gloves & 1 x pair of warm goretex
- Light gloves
- Beanie/warm ski hat
- Buff
- Cap or full brim hat
- Snow googles – darkest lens available
Personal Climbing Gear:
- Mountaineering ice axe
- Crampons – 12 point, steel crampons (preferably with anti-balling plates)
- Helmet
- Snow shoes (Can rent from Jindabyne)
- Harness
- 6 metres of 7mm prusik cord
- 3x locking carabiners | 7x non-locking carabiners
- Belay devices (Preferably an ATC but figure 8 acceptable)
- Climbing Ascender
- 2x Slings (1 double length & 1 single length)
- Sleeping mats (Closed cell foam (for insulation) and inflatable thermarest
- Sleeping bag -20c
- Ski/trekking poles with powder baskets
- Light duffel for sled (100L + capacity)
- Backpack (70L + capacity)
- Down booties with soles (for basecamp – optional)
- Pee Bottle & Funnel
Thanks for your interest in our expeditions. We're looking forward to climbing with you!
To apply for our expeditions, please contact us to send you an application packet.
Steps:
1. Fill in the application form (you can fill it out digitally or print and scan) and email it back to us at: info@climbingthesevensummits.com
2. Pay your 25% deposit (wire transfers are preferred and the details are on the application form. Credit cards attract a merchant surcharge)
3. Upon receiving your application and your deposit, and accepting you onto the trip, we will then issue you an invoice reflecting that and your balance amount and due date
4. Please send us the remainder of the forms to info@climbingthesevensummits.com which are due 4 months of departure along with your balance.
5. At the same time, please send a copy of the photo page of the passport you intend to travel on and a copy of your trip insurance*
*It’s worth noting most insurers require you to take out a policy within 14 days of paying a deposit for their trip cancellation/interruption clauses. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like recommendations on who we use for our guide’s insurance etc.
Travel can be booked through our partner travel agent: Pirjo DeHart at CTT Destinations.
Included:
- Fully qualified world class Mountain Guides
- Education and Comprehensive Training Seminars
- 3x nights camping in Kosciuszko National Park
- Camping equipment (tents, toilet facilities)
- Group equipment (stoves, gas, group technical gear including snow & ice anchors, ropes, rock, ice & snow protection, sleds, snow shovels)
- Mountain Meals
- Emergency equipment, first aid, satellite phone/GPS
Not Included:
- All costs for the Australian Alpine Academy are incurred by you prior to the start date of the trip and after the end date, including accommodation in Jindabyne the night before (Day Zero) or the night the course completes
- Personal clothing and personal climbing gear (including snow shoes, helmet, harness, carabiners, mountaineering boots, ice axe – many of these items can be rented in advance)
- In town meals in Jindabyne
- Transportation
- Personal National Park entry fees
- Expenses while on expedition that are above and beyond the normal scope of the trip such as medical treatment, evacuation, trip interruption, snacks, flight changes, alcohol, gifts for friends and family, specialty coffees, and bottled water among others.
- Expenses incurred due to events out of the control of CTSS such as delays or interruptions, political events, natural events of disasters, events outside of our control will not be covered by CTSS. These may include circumstances such as extra hotel nights due to delays.
- Trip Insurance including personal climbing, medical, rescue, evacuation, trip interruption, and trip cancellation insurance
- Guide tips (customary but optional)
Climbing the Seven Summits’ primary aim is to help you attain your personal climbing and trekking goals while experiencing the best of our planet, its unique cultures. and environments.
We strive to offer the highest quality mountaineering expeditions and treks at a great value while focusing on our primary goals: safety, success, and enjoyment.
We achieve this by bringing our extensive experience, top-of-the-line logistics, individualized and world-class guides to each adventure we undertake.
To give our clients the highest possible chance at success we are detailed in our approach, ensuring we’ve dotted our ‘i’s and crossed our ‘t’s. We provide personalized service, employ conservative acclimatization schedules, use top-of-the-line mountaineering, camping, and communications gear, hire only the best mountain leaders, and we don’t skimp on costs.
Our expeditions strive to set the highest standards and climb in “good style.” By this, we mean prioritizing the well-being and safety of our teams, leaving no trace on the environments we operate in, respecting culture, contributing to local economies by employing regional partners and paying them higher than the industry standard, and working in a self-sufficient and self-reliant way. We promote a responsible approach to adventure travel by connecting people to the natural world and giving back to local communities by donating a percentage of every expedition to the Tiger of the Snows Fund.
We take immense pride in our expeditions, and this shows in the positive feedback we receive from our teams who form lasting friendships forged in the mountains as they work together and overcome tough challenges.
For more client testimonials, please visit our Success & Reviews page, where you can find quotes reflecting CTSS’s leadership and experience. If you would like to talk to previous customers as references, please contact us, and we can put you in touch with many satisfied climbers. Please feel free to contact us by phone or email, and we will be happy to discuss the expedition with you. Joining a climbing or trekking expedition is a significant undertaking, and it’s essential to feel confident in the expedition leadership. The majority of our clients are repeat customers, largely due to their overwhelmingly positive experiences.
Express Your Interest in our Australian Alpine Academy
Australian Alpine Adventures
Carstensz Pyramid
Carstensz Pyramid (helicopter in and out)
Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
It is often argued as to which mountain is the true Seventh Summit: Carstensz or Kosciuszko? To that we answer, “It doesn’t matter! They are both beautiful and unique adventures in their own right so why not do them both?” In fact, it seems that many people are concluding just that and climbing both peaks.
Carstensz Pyramid is one of the world’s great adventures. Few people have the opportunity to go to such an exotic location as Irian Jaya. The fact that Carstensz is a stunning climb and one of the Seven Summits is just the icing on the cake. If you are looking for a true adventure and world-class rock climbing, look no further than Carstensz Pyramid. One of the most attractive features of the Seven Summits is that to climb them you are forced to travel the world and experience cultures you would otherwise miss. This isn’t more true for any peak than Carstensz Pyramid.
- End your expedition by meeting up with friend and family in Bali, Indonesia, a world-famous beach resort island that we usually fly through both on the way in and out of our climb
- Climb a classic rock route and brave the airy cable bridge traverse en route to the summit of Carstensz
- See a part of the world on the remote island of New Guinea that few people have seen
- Fly in a helicopter over the lush rainforest and mountains of the Sudirman Range from our start point in Timika en route to Carstensz base camp
Ready to learn more about Carstensz Pyramid? Check out our guide tips, resources, and answers to your most pressing questions in our Carstensz Top Five or check out this Climber’s Guide!
Deep in the heart of the Sudirman Range in the western central highlands of Irian Jaya lies Carstensz Pyramid. Irian Jaya comprises the western side of the island of New Guinea; the eastern part is Papua New Guinea. Irian Jaya (formerly West New Guinea or Dutch New Guinea) is part of Indonesia, a nation of more than 17,000 islands in the southern Southeast Asia. The bare, rocky, and near-vertical slopes of Carstensz Pyramid rise above the lush jungle environment and small settlements that characterize the moderately large island of New Guinea. Carstensz Pyramid is also known as Puncak Jaya in Indonesian.
Carstensz looms over the smaller peaks in the mountain range at a height of 16,024 feet (4884m). The mountain is part of the Lorentz National Park, the largest protected area is Southeast Asia. It is surrounded to the south by settlements belonging to several native Indonesian tribes, including the Dani, who live mainly in simple structures and maintain a more primitive way of life than any culture experienced on the other Seven Summits. The local culture is part of what makes a climb of Carstensz Pyramid such a unique and adventurous experience.
Carstensz is one of the least climbed of the Seven Summits because of its logistical challenges, the prohibitive expense required, and its dubious status on the Seven Summits list, although more climbers are beginning to attempt the peak as awareness of the mountain and region grow. Carstensz is a very remote mountain that lies in an exotic, undeveloped region of the world.
Welcome to CTSS’s Carstensz Pyramid Expedition!
Climbing Carstensz Pyramid is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. This is your chance to get way off the beaten path and see a remote part of Southeast Asia that few have seen while having an incredible adventure. It just also happens to be one of the Seven Summits too!
Come join our world-class guide team on one of the world’s most sought-after peaks. You will not be disappointed by the experience. Because of the remoteness and logistical challenges involved with this climb we only offer one departure per year so spaces are limited and they tend to go quickly.
We have chosen to fly both in and out of the mountain for many reason, the main one being safety. We feel that the risks associated with trekking into base camp are too great and out of our comfort zone given that it is impossible for us to mitigate them. Once you experience the helicopter service and the amenities that we provide on our Carstensz climb, you will be pleased you decided to climb Carstensz the right way — focusing on climbing rather than jungle mud-slogging!
We have been fine-tuning our Carstensz logistics for many years, and I literally wrote the book on the Seven Summits. We employ a slow acclimatization schedule to make sure that you are properly adjusted to the rarefied air and have the best chance of success. Come join us for this amazing, life changing experience- one that you will one-day tell your grandkids about.
We look forward to helping you achieve success on Carstensz Pyramid. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly regarding the expedition if you have any further questions.
Best regards,
Mike Hamill
Owner and Lead Guide, Climbing the Seven Summits
Expedition Options (Schedule and Prices)
Carstensz Pyramid Team Guided Climb
$24,995 USD per climber
Note: This expedition meets in Timika, Indonesia
- October 15th – 25th, 2026
This expedition is our traditional guided team climb, which ascends the Normal Route via a stunning alpine rock climb on Carstensz. We provide professional guidance, a return shared helicopter transfers from Timika to base camp, local guides, logistics, team gear, food, and support for a summit attempt on Carstensz.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments, once submitted, are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
Please Note:
- Central Papua and Highland Papua is subject to ongoing travel warnings, and you must assume responsibility for this risk.
- You will want to check with your embassy to understand Indonesia’s visa requirements for your country.
- You will require two passport photos and a copy of your passport for travel in Papua.
- Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your entry into Indonesia and have 4 free pages.
Custom Dates and a dedicated private Guide
- 1 person private: US$39,995 (per person)
- 2 person private: US$31,995 (per person)
- 3 person private: US$28,995 (per person)
Having your own private guide climbing with you can be an indispensable advantage! A private guide allows you to dictate the schedule, amend it depending on how you’re feeling, customize a program, and a private guide can coach you throughout the expedition, give you valuable feedback, be available if there are any medical issues, and make your climbing experience more enjoyable overall. Although summits are obviously never guaranteed this is a great way to stack the odds in your favor.
Please Note:
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. Please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy for more information.
All payments once submitted are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. For more information, please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy.
All payments, once submitted, are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
- Best expedition at a great value: CTSS believes in providing our clients with the highest quality service in the industry at a great value. Climbing and trekking are our passion, and our goal is to share these unique places and experiences with you. We want you to feel good about your experience because we believe word-of-mouth is the best advertising, and that begins with satisfied customers. There is a difference between our expeditions and those of our competitors, especially local cut-rate options. In choosing us, you are hiring the finest guides and logistical support in the industry. Benefiting from well over 100 high-altitude expeditions and drawing on decades of first-hand guiding experience, we have worked hard to refine our logistics in order to offer you the highest chance of success at an exceptional value.
- We are a modestly sized guide service with highly personalized service: We maintain a moderate size so that we can tailor our Carstensz Pyramid experience to you. Not all climbers are the same, which is why Mike Hamill will work with you directly to make sure you choose only the programs that are right for you.
- The best route: CTSS climbs Carstensz by the beautiful normal route. By using this route, we provide you with the highest chance of success and give you the best climbing experience available on the mountain. We also provide you with more than ample time to acclimatize to the altitude so you feel good on summit day. Many climbing companies, especially local ones, race you up and down the mountain not allowing time to get used to the rarefied air. This is not only not advantageous to you but it is dangerous. We also fly you both in and out of the mountain in a helicopter. It is dangerous and incredibly time-consuming to take the trekking approach, and it takes the focus off the climbing route and summit. Using the helicopter is a huge advantage that improves safety and success, and these are our three main objectives. You will see when you’re on the mountain that there’s no better way to climb the peak than the way we have organized it.
- Leadership: As the expedition organizer, Mike’s almost unparalleled experience based on high altitude can make the difference between success and failure. From start to finish, he will work with you to make sure you’re as prepared as possible to reach your goal of standing on top of Oceania. Often, being able to troubleshoot problems before they occur can make all the difference, and this is where Mike’s vast experience becomes crucial. Please visit our Success Rates page for more information.
- The Seven Summits specialist! Climbing the Seven Summits is THE Seven Summits specialist. We focus primarily on the mountains of the Seven Summits, and Carstensz is one of our signature climbs. With hundreds of high-altitude expeditions under our belts, we are well-prepared to create the perfect climbing experience for you. We love the diversity of the “Seven Summits” and the challenge of climbing them all, which is why we focus on these climbs in particular.
- Best guides: The quality of an expedition is, in large part, dictated by the individual guide(s) leading the trip. CTSS hires only the finest guides operating at the highest standards for client care who are highly trained, well respected in the industry, and close friends that we trust. They have excellent personalities and are some of the most experienced professionals in the world. Mike and the rest of our guides are strong leaders who maintain high standards. Our guides make our company what it is and have extensive resumes of personal climbs, high altitude guiding, and certifications. All our lead guides maintain at least a Wilderness First Responder medical standard or equivalent. Our local guides around the world are the best in the industry and do an amazing job helping you attain your goals and navigating local obstacles.
- Safety: Our primary goal at CTSS is safety. We have an unparalleled safety record, and our clientele’s well-being factors into every decision we make while on expeditions. Although we like to stand on the top of mountains more than anyone, we believe that climbing is a round-trip endeavor, and getting you back to your loved ones safely is paramount. We take many safety precautions, including bringing multiple communication devices, high-altitude safety equipment, medical kits, and the highest-quality gear to ensure a safe environment in which to climb.
- Success: Success rates on expeditions under Mike’s leadership are among the best in the business. This is a testament to our quality of service and attention to detail. Mike and our team of guides are incredibly proud of their summit success and work hard to get their clients to the top. As Mike says, “You can’t buy a summit, but you can buy better odds.” With our expertise, experience, and infrastructure, you can stack those odds in your favor. We offer a longer acclimatization progression for proper acclimatization to mitigate the risks of altitude sickness. Many guide services race their clients up the mountain, especially local companies, to cut corners on costs. We are highly invested in our reputation for safety and success and are always striving to improve our programs to maintain our hard-earned status. Decision-making in the mountains is supremely important, and our guides are the best in the business, have a hunger to summit whenever it’s safe to do so, and have a proven track record. All of our programs acclimatize conservatively to mitigate the risk of having altitude issues and to give them the highest chance of success.
- You!: Why choose us? Because of you! We consistently attract the best clients and believe this is because we offer the highest quality expedition at a great value. Our clientele takes the time to educate themselves about their options and choose us because of this. We feel that surrounding yourself with the right people will make you successful, and that goes for guide service owners, guides, and even those with whom you climb. Having a team with the right attitude and camaraderie is a key factor in making you successful.
- Logistics: We have led countless high-altitude expeditions and have perfected the logistics, allowing you to focus on climbing, safety, and success. We eat well and live well on expedition. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible while on your climb or safari to not be distracted from the task at hand. We feel that these creature comforts go a long way to making your time in the backcountry enjoyable. We strive to work with the best local outfitters and provide the best local logistics, hands down.
- Updates: In today’s connected world, people want to know how things are going on the expedition. CTSS maintains regular updates on our blog to keep friends and families informed. This can relieve a lot of the stress loved ones have when you’re away climbing. We want to make the climb stress-free for both the climber and the folks back home.
- Professional Business Practices: Running a professional guide service that you feel comfortable putting your trust in is important to us. We comply with all local, state, federal, and international laws. We hope that this makes you feel more confident about choosing us and our programs.
- Enjoyment: This is your vacation, and you’re here to have a good time. Our goal is to give you the experience of a lifetime, inspire you in the mountains, and have a great time doing it. This, again, comes back to our guides; they all have great personalities, and their love for the mountain is contagious.
- Low client-to-guide ratio: We operate all of our trips at a low client-to-guide ratio, which offers you a better, safer, and more personalized experience.
“Great leaders like Mike inspire and lead people to take on challenges and achieve great things.” – Tim Igo
- Carstensz Pyramid sits in Irian Jaya, which is part of Indonesia
- Carstensz Pyramid entails the most consistently steep and technical climbing of all the Seven Summits
- Some native tribes in Papua still practice cannibalism
- Patrick Morrow was the first person to finish the Seven Summits with the Carstensz variation
- Dutch explorer Jan Carstensz was the first European to sight the peak in 1623
The climbing on Carstensz consists mainly of steep rock climbing. From base camp the route winds its way up a series of gulleys following fixed lines to the top of a ridge. The climbing is fun and positive with great friction even when it’s raining, albeit somewhat steep and exposed in sections. The steepest steps consist of moderate 5th class climbing on fixed lines. Leather gloves are highly recommended due to the extremely rough texture of the rock.
Once on the ridge the route traverses the ridge and undulates up and down following the path of least resistance. After crossing the famous cable bridge it’s a short scramble to the summit. The descent consists mainly of rappelling on steep fixed lines reversing course from the ascent.
Climbing Carstensz requires serious fitness, an ability to perform well at altitude, the mindset to be away from home for several weeks, and a desire for rugged adventure travel. The Sudirman Range is still a very remote and rugged place with few of the amenities we have come to expect. We try to give our climbers all of the creature comforts that we can but at the end of the day this is true adventure travel!
Climbers need to have experience rock climbing and using fixedlines and ascenders. Also, cramponing skill, knowledge of self-arrest technique and ice axe use are valuable but not a pre-requisite. If you want to join this expedition but don’t have these skills we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the climb. Please let us know how we can help!
It’s important to set clear expectations around flexibility and timing on Carstensz Pyramid. Due to the nature of helicopter access and limited landing windows, climbers should expect a degree of fluidity in the schedule and book flexible airfares. Delays can occur both before the expedition—as the mountain must first be cleared of previous teams before the next group can fly in—and after the climb, depending on weather and air logistics. Most climbers choose to schedule their international flights about a week after the planned expedition end date, which provides ample buffer for any delays. Once they summit and exit the mountain as planned, they can simply move their flights forward.
Day 1: Meet in Timika, Indonesia: Our team will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel. This is a pure arrival day. You may arrive at any time and shake off the jetlag.
Day 2: Gear checks and team meeting: We will meet at breakfast and set a plan for the day. We will organize a team meeting that will get everyone up to speed on the details of the trip before diving into gear checks. Once gear checks are complete we will check in with the immigration office in Timika and pick up any last-minute supplies. We will have a team dinner before heading to bed early.
Day 3: We rise early and have a 5am breakfast before transferring to the airport and checking in with the local helicopter service. We will then take our morning flight (approx 40mins) to Yellow Valley Basecamp (4,250m) At Base Camp we will acclimatize. Sleep, read, relax, take a light walk around Base Camp. Whatever you do – stay hydrated!
Day 4: Acclimatization day: We spend today getting used to the altitude and continuing our acclimatization. Today we will do some rope training ahead of a summit plan briefing and an early dinner.
Day 5: Summit Days. We wake up at 1am and prepare for our summit. We will have a very light meal and a hot drink to kick start our bodies before we start trekking at 2am. Our route follows the ridge crest with grand exposure along the way. We pass four small notches as we rappel and use ascenders to negotiate trickier rock climbing sections. Our descent entails multiple rappels and scrambles. The rock is clean and provides excellent friction even when wet. You can expect a summit day of 10-12 hours round trip.
Day 6: We rise early to pack our equipment. Our helicopters could arrive as early as 6Am. We are picked up from Yellow Valley Basecamp and returned to Timika where we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel.
Day 7: Fly Home. Check out of our hotel and transfer back to the hotel for our onward flights, either to Bali or Jakarta.
Day 8– 14: Contingency days: Since the weather is such a huge factor in most Carstensz climbs. We advise booking your flexible return airfare a week beyond your expected departure day and moving it forward if your expedition goes to schedule.
Note: Weather is a huge factor in this expedition! Teams have waited for weeks to get in and out of base camp and some teams haven’t even made it in. This is a real possibility. EXPECT weather delays. This is true adventure travel so you need to relax, roll with the punches, bring a good book and music, and book flexible return airfares.
This detailed gear list is provided for your reference. Please follow these guidelines carefully because if you arrive in Indonesia missing gear you will be required to track them down prior to the climb at your own expense which can be difficult (if not impossible) and costly. Please make sure you are fully prepared so that your trip and that of your teammates goes smoothly. If you have any questions about the gear, please give us a call, and we can discuss: we’re here to help!
Note: There are strict weight limitations for the helicopter flight so bring only what you need and not more. That being said, if you are unsure about items you can bring them to Timika for the gear check and make the final decision there. You can leave some stuff in a duffel at the hotel in Timika.
Thanks for your interest in our expeditions. We're looking forward to climbing with you!
To apply for our expeditions, please contact us to send you an application packet.
Steps:
1. Fill in the application form (you can fill it out digitally or print and scan) and email it back to us at: info@climbingthesevensummits.com
2. Pay your 25% deposit (wire transfers are preferred and the details are on the application form. Credit cards attract a merchant surcharge)
3. Upon receiving your application and your deposit, and accepting you onto the trip, we will then issue you an invoice reflecting that and your balance amount and due date
4. Please send us the remainder of the forms to info@climbingthesevensummits.com which are due 4 months of departure along with your balance.
5. At the same time, please send a copy of the photo page of the passport you intend to travel on and a copy of your trip insurance*
*It’s worth noting most insurers require you to take out a policy within 14 days of paying a deposit for their trip cancellation/interruption clauses. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like recommendations on who we use for our guide’s insurance etc.
Travel can be booked through our partner travel agent: Pirjo DeHart at CTT Destinations.
What’s included/not included in your Carstensz Pyramid Team Guided Climb
- Professional mountain guide, assistant guide/cooks, etc.
- Climbing and park permits
- All transfers, including return airport transfers
- 3x nights of dual occupancy accommodation in Nabire (2x nights before trip/1x night after)
- Round trip chartered helicopter flights to Carstensz Pyramid Base Camp (15kg luggage allowance)
- Full board (all meals) while on the mountain
- Personal sleeping tents (one tent per person) dining tents/table, chairs, etc.
- All international flights and flights to Nabire, our meeting point
- All personal climbing gear and equipment
- Additional fees associated with early arrivals or late departures
- $200 local guide, cooks, land porter tip pool (we will hold a tipping ceremony at the end of the trip)
- Mandatory trip, medical and evacuation insurance
- Visas on arrival, travel fees, excess baggage fees, etc.
- All in-town meals
- Excess baggage costs
- Any extra nights' accommodation due to delays above and beyond those covered (beyond the 3 nights in Nabire)
- Drinks and alcohol, incidentals, 3rd party internet costs, laundry, etc.
- Any additional expenses above and beyond the normal trip costs such as rescues, medical issues, early departure expenses, etc.
- 5lbs of snack/climbing food for the climb and acclimatization days
- Single occupancy rooming
- Guide tips (customary but optional)
Each expedition is led by Mike Hamill.
Mike Hamill, lead guide and owner of CTSS, is universally regarded as one of the most experienced and respected high altitude mountaineers and expedition leaders in the world.
He has personally guided thousands of climbers on the Seven Summits and well over 150 climbers have stood atop 8000m peaks, including Everest with him. A guide for over 20 years, he boasts a 91% expedition success rate and an 83% climber summit success rate for all of his expeditions worldwide.
He has stood on top of Everest 6x and currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu. He’s also the author of the guidebook “Climbing the Seven Summits,”
To complement his leadership, Mike has hand-picked a selection of the finest mountaineering professionals from around the world to make up the international CTSS guiding team.
Our team are highly qualified and some of the most highly experienced climbers in the world. Chosen for their attention to detail, safety records along with their fun, genuine and caring personalities, we have no hesitation in saying they are the best. Mike holds the CTSS staff to the same high standards as he holds himself.
Who you choose for expedition organization and leadership is a big deal – it can be the difference between a great expedition and a miserable, potentially dangerous one and you only want the best in your corner. The fact that Mike and his guides have an unprecedented safety record should be a paramount consideration in who you choose to climb with.
Mike and the CTSS team’s love for the mountains and adventure continues in our corporate social responsibility policy. A portion of profits and fundraising climbs are organized every year in support of the “Tiger of the Snows Fund” a not-for-profit that provides grants to further education of mountain tourism workers and their families.
“Great leaders like Mike inspire and lead people to take on challenges and achieve great things.” -Tim Igo
Climbing the Seven Summits’ primary aim is to help you attain your personal climbing and trekking goals while experiencing the best of our planet, its unique cultures. and environments.
We strive to offer the highest quality mountaineering expeditions and treks at a great value while focusing on our primary goals: safety, success, and enjoyment.
We achieve this by bringing our extensive experience, top-of-the-line logistics, individualized and world-class guides to each adventure we undertake.
To give our clients the highest possible chance at success we are detailed in our approach, ensuring we’ve dotted our ‘i’s and crossed our ‘t’s. We provide personalized service, employ conservative acclimatization schedules, use top-of-the-line mountaineering, camping, and communications gear, hire only the best mountain leaders, and we don’t skimp on costs.
Our expeditions strive to set the highest standards and climb in “good style.” By this, we mean prioritizing the well-being and safety of our teams, leaving no trace on the environments we operate in, respecting culture, contributing to local economies by employing regional partners and paying them higher than the industry standard, and working in a self-sufficient and self-reliant way. We promote a responsible approach to adventure travel by connecting people to the natural world and giving back to local communities by donating a percentage of every expedition to the Tiger of the Snows Fund.
We take immense pride in our expeditions, and this shows in the positive feedback we receive from our teams who form lasting friendships forged in the mountains as they work together and overcome tough challenges.
For more client testimonials, please visit our Success & Reviews page, where you can find quotes reflecting CTSS’s leadership and experience. If you would like to talk to previous customers as references, please contact us, and we can put you in touch with many satisfied climbers. Please feel free to contact us by phone or email, and we will be happy to discuss the expedition with you. Joining a climbing or trekking expedition is a significant undertaking, and it’s essential to feel confident in the expedition leadership. The majority of our clients are repeat customers, largely due to their overwhelmingly positive experiences.
Express Your Interest in Carstensz Pyramid
Carstensz Pyramid Adventures
Denali
Denali Expedition
Difficulty Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Are You Denali-Ready? Denali demands strength, discipline, solid systems, and a grounded understanding of what a fully self-supported expedition requires. Our Denali Readiness Test gives you a quick snapshot of where you stand across the six areas that matter most for this climb: fitness and endurance, technical capability, previous mountain experience, expedition mindset, gear familiarity, and your No D*ckheads factor.
It is not a pass or fail. It is a realistic check on your preparation and a tool to help you understand what to refine before stepping onto the Kahiltna Glacier.
***On Denali, CTSS works exclusively with Mountain Trip, an authorized concessionaire of Denali National Park. Owner Mike Hamill has been leading expeditions on Denali for nearly two decades and handpicks our Denali partner to ensure CTSS’s logistics, professional support, and local knowledge.
Lying in the heart of the 600-mile-long (960 kilometer-long) Alaska Range, Denali is the largest mountain in North America, rising 20,320 feet (6194 meters) above sea level. Denali towers almost 18,000 feet (5,500 meters) above the surrounding tundra, giving it a greater vertical rise than Mount Everest.
In the native Athabaskan, Denali means The Great One, and indeed, that it is!
- Walk in the footsteps of Bradford and Barbara Washburn, the West Buttress first-ascensionists, while climbing the same route
- Boldly tick Wild Alaska off your bucket list
- Land on a glacier in a ski plane in the remote mountains
- Climb on a mountain where the sun never really sets
- Celebrate your success by listening to live music in the Fairview Pub with a host of other climbers from around the world
The Seven Summits Series: Denali
Climbing the Seven Summits is committed to providing the highest quality Denali expedition with our partners, Mountain Trip. You can be assured that it will be both challenging and fun, a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Denali is truly rugged and known to have some of the worst weather in the world. At a latitude of 63 degrees North, Denali is just 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Every year, it attracts climbers from all over the world, including the world’s best alpinists, to test themselves on the peak that many consider to be the most challenging of the Seven Summits. Not only for the extreme conditions, but also for the workload required. Climbers need to be able to carry all their own gear, set up their own camps, and prepare their own food as a team, unlike on other mountains where high-altitude porters assist with the work.
As such, an expedition on Denali requires lots of planning and preparation, perhaps more than any of the other Seven Summits. It is a serious, gear-intensive climb that requires plenty of advanced planning to ensure success. We utilize our breadth of experience, detailed logistics, and our partnership with Mountain Trip to take much of this planning headache away from our climbers, but we still require them to be focused and committed to the climb ahead.
Most climbers fly into Anchorage before transporting themselves to Talkeetna, which is where our expedition begins. Here we will conduct gear checks, pack, and have a number of briefings. When the weather permits, we approach the mountain on a glacier ski plane, enjoying a forty-minute flight that boasts incredible views of Denali and the surrounding peaks. We land on the ice at the South East fork of the Kahiltna Glacier, unload at Base Camp, and begin our climb.
We use the Normal Route, which is the West Buttress Route, which offers the most direct route up and interesting climbing. Climbing via this route usually takes two to three weeks but we allow a month, door to door, to allow for bad weather days and a safe, conservative climbing schedule.
From Base Camp, the route ascends the main branch of the Kahiltna Glacier up moderate terrain surrounded by the largest and most forbidding mountains in North America. It is mainly lower-angle glacier travel heading North until Camp 3, where the pitch steepens as it gains the upper reaches of the mountain, climbing exposed ridges, snow slopes, and smaller glaciers heading North and East. The West Buttress Route climbs nearly 13,000 vertical feet in 18 miles, making it one of the biggest climbs of the Seven Summits circuit.
From Base Camp and across the lower glacier, a night schedule is established to climb during the coldest hours on the lower glacier when the crevasse bridges are the safest. The intense heat of the direct sun during the day makes it unsafe and uncomfortable, and during the Alaskan summer, the night is sunlit, so there is no need for a headlamp.
Across the climb, we employ ‘a climb high, sleep low, double carry’ strategy to systematically move up the mountain and cache gear, whilst acclimatizing. There are four camps that we use before the summit. Summit day is a long and arduous day in a hostile environment, with most climbers averaging eight to ten hours to reach the summit and another three to four hours to descend back to High Camp.
Denali National Park and Preserve keeps a staff of highly trained climbing rangers on the mountain during climbing season. Their job is to facilitate the climb, keep the mountain clean, relay weather information, provide rescue service, and, if climbers need it, deploy a helicopter. While reassuring, it is essential to be self-sufficient and judicious while on the mountain, so the rangers don’t have to put themselves at unnecessary risk. Denali is a potentially dangerous mountain, and climbing at nearly 6,000 meters is very serious.
This expedition will be organized and led by Mike Hamill, Owner of Climbing the Seven Summits, alongside our field partners, Mountain Trip. Mike has personally guided nearly 20 Denali expeditions and is committed to helping the CTSS climbers navigate and succeed through all of the exciting challenges of Denali while remaining safe.
Welcome to “Climbing the Seven Summits” Denali Expedition
Denali is one of the most imposing mountains on Earth and is considered one of the most challenging climbs due to its extreme weather and treacherous 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 hardest and most arduous work of any of the Seven Summits and a real climber’s mountain.
As such, it is one of the most sought-after of the famed “Seven Summits” and shouldn’t be underestimated. Climbers need to be able to carry very heavy loads as there is no support from porters or pack animals available, meaning the achievement of the summit is that much sweeter, but the responsibility of the workload falls entirely onto the climbers’ shoulders. Summiting is no easy feat, but I am committed to helping you achieve it, and with the right preparation and expedition set up, I have no doubt you will.
Benefiting from nearly 20 Denali expeditions and drawing on decades of first-hand guiding experience, I am committed to sharing my knowledge with you and providing you with all the resources you need for a successful climb. I’m proud to have led well over 100 people to the summit, and excited to continue to share that memorable moment with more mountaineers in the future.
We look forward to sharing a great experience with you on Denali. Please contact me directly regarding the expedition should you have any questions.
Best regards,
Mike Hamill
Owner and Lead Guide, Climbing the Seven Summits
Expedition Options (Schedule and Prices)
At CTSS, we offer different climb options to customize your Denali experience to your climbing style and ability. We also offer a variety of custom and private expeditions upon demand. Please contact us for rates and schedules for our custom climbs.
Denali Climb (West Buttress Route): $14,995
Dates:
- May 14 – June 6, 2026 – SOLD OUT | Contact our team to be added to the waitlist
- June 9 – July 2, 2026 – SOLD OUT | Contact our team to be added to the waitlist
- June 9 – July 2, 2027
This expedition is a traditionally guided team climb that ascends the stunning West Buttress Route. Provided are guidance, leadership, local guides, logistics, team gear, food, and support for a summit attempt on Denali.
Denali Private and Custom Climb
(Please contact us directly for dates and prices)
Having your own private guide climbing with you can be an indispensable advantage and allow you to customize your itinerary and program to fit your schedule. A personal guide will give you total autonomy and control over your trip, and they can coach you throughout the expedition, give you valuable feedback, be available if there are any medical issues, and make your climbing experience more enjoyable overall. Although summits are obviously never guaranteed, there is no better way to stack the odds in your favor than climbing with a private guide!
This expedition provides a Private guide, logistics, food, team gear, and support for a summit attempt on Denali.
This is our signature premier expedition. Our private guided climb is for those who want unparalleled safety and personal attention. Whether you’re a less experienced climber or have climbed at altitude many times before, our private climb with 1:1 Private Guide will give you the best chance at standing on top of Denali.
All prices are in US Dollars.
CTSS requires clients to buy trip insurance for all expeditions. For more information, please see our page on trip insurance and cancellation policy.
All payments, once submitted, are non-refundable and non-transferable. If balances are not received by specified dates, the client forfeits their place on the program and any prior fees paid.
- Denali sits at 63° north latitude, making it the northernmost of the Seven Summits and subject to colder temperatures, harsher storms, and long weather holds.
- The mountain rises nearly 18,000 feet above the surrounding tundra, giving it more vertical relief than Everest.
- In mid-summer, Denali has nearly 24 hours of daylight, so climbers rarely need a headlamp, though teams often travel on a “night” schedule for firmer conditions.
- Denali is a fully self-supported expedition. There are no porters, no Sherpa infrastructure, and no outside assistance.
- Teamwork is everything on Denali. Camp building, rope travel, load sharing, problem solving, and storm management all happen as a unit.
- Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for about two cents per acre, later becoming home to one of the world’s most iconic mountaineering challenges.
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
Climbing Denali requires serious fitness and an ability to perform well at altitude. Climbers need solid cramponing, general knowledge of glacier travel and crevasse rescue, as well as knowledge of fixed line climbing, rope work, knots, and hitches. Experience climbing at altitude is a plus. If you don’t have these skills, we can work with you to get you up to speed prior to the climbs. Please let us know how we can help! Our mountaineering seminars teach skills specific to climbing Denali and other Himalayan peaks. This isn’t the place to start your Seven Summits bid: instead, climb smaller, less serious peaks first to work your way up to Denali.
The following is a sample itinerary for a Denali expedition. Keep in mind that weather on Denali can be difficult, flights in and out of the range can be delayed, and conditions can dictate movement on the mountain so the actual schedule is rarely the one described here.
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- Day 1: Fly from home to Anchorage, Alaska
- Day 2: Team meeting in Anchorage, gear checks, and guide briefing
- Day 3: Travel to Talkeetna (3-hour shuttle); check in with the Park Service; fly to Kahiltna Glacier and establish base camp
- Day 4: Move to Camp 1
- Day 5: Carry to Kahiltna Pass to cache gear
- Day 6: Move to Camp 2
- Day 7: Back carry to Kahiltna Pass
- Day 8: Carry to Windy Corner
- Day 9: Move to 14,000ft camp
- Day 10: Back carry to Windy Corner
- Day 11: Climb the Headwall to the Ridge, cache supplies at 16,000ft
- Day 12: Rest day
- Day 13: Move to High Camp at 17,200ft
- Day 14: Rest day
- Day 15: Summit day!
- Day 16: Descend to Camp 2
- Day 17: Descend to Kahiltna Base Camp
- Day 18: Return to Talkeetna and celebrate!
- Day 19: Return from Talkeetna to Anchorage
- Day 20: Arrive home
- Day 21: Contingency day
- Date 22: Contingency day
- Day 23: Contingency day
- Day 24: Contingency day
- Day 25: Contingency day
This detailed gear list is provided for your reference. Each item has been selected over many Denali expeditions. Please follow these guidelines carefully. Every item on the list is mandatory, and if you arrive in Talkeetna missing some of them, you will be required to track them down in town prior to the climb at your own expense, which can be difficult and costly. Please make sure you are fully prepared so that your trip and the trips of your teammates go smoothly. If you have any questions about the gear, please give us a call, and we can discuss it: we’re here to help!
Travel:
- In town clothes (some restaurants are nice, so a collared shirt/dress is not a bad idea)
- 2 large duffels, waterproof PVC rugged construction (like North Face XXL). One should be lightweight and will be used to haul in the sled. The second will stay at the hotel in Punta Arenas with your street clothes and other items not needed for the climb.
- Travel wallet
- Passport
- Cash
- Print out of team emails and bring them with you
- Hand sanitizer (small container, for the mountain and travel)
- Marker
- Pen
- Day pack for carry-on, 40L
Lower Body:
- Warm Down Booties
- 1 thin long john pants, and 1 pair of medium-weight long john pants
- 1 pair of medium-weight climbing pants
- 1 pair of Gore-Tex shell pants, must be full zip
- 1 pair of down pants, must be full zip
- 3 pairs of climbing socks (1 thin, 2 thick)
- 2 pairs of climbing underwear
- Triple climbing boots (like La Sportiva Olympus Mons or Millet Everest)
Upper Body:
- 1 ski/winter hat
- 1 ball cap for sun protection
- 1 balaclava/face mask (must cover your whole face (all exposed skin) with goggles
- 2- 3 buffs
- 1 pair of liner gloves
- 1 pair of lighter work gloves
- 1 pair heavy climbing gloves (like Black Diamond Guide Glove)
- 1 pair heavy mittens (like OR Altimitt)
- 1 pair of dark goggles (like Smith Turbofan)
- 1 Gore-Tex shell jacket
- 2 long john tops (1 light, 1 medium)
- Synthetic sun hoodie or trekking shirt, long sleeve (like Patagonia sun hoodie)
- 2 Upper body Pile Layer, like Patagonia R1 or similar hoodie (must be able to layer on top of each other
- Synthetic Puffball jacket, synthetic or down, medium-weight with front zip and hood or similar (like Patagonia Puffball)
- Ultra heavy-weight down parka with hood (like Mountain Hardware Absolute Zero)
Climbing Gear:
- Power battery/recharger/solar charger with cords (optional)
- Pee funnel (women)
- Ear plugs
- Camera or phone camera
- Small Aloe Vera for sunburn
- Hand Cream (optional)
- 1 sleeping bag, rated to -40C/F (like Marmot Cwm)
- 1 thermarest
- 1 ridge rest
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen (like All Good 35spf with high Zinc Oxide content)
- Book (optional)
- Alarm (on watch or other)
- Headphones (optional)
- Baby wipes, for staying clean
- Meds: (bandages, triple antibiotic ointment, tums, antacid, immodium, ciproflacin, azithromycin, ibuprofen, aspirin, blister kit, bandaids, etc) keep it fairly small and light to reduce weight
- Toilet paper (2 rolls)
- Pee bottle (1 liter)
- 5 large heavy-duty trash bags (for caching gear)
- 2x 1-liter Nalgene-type water bottles with full covers (Camelback-type hydration systems are unacceptable. They freeze, pop, and break, so are unreliable.)
- Large internal frame pack, must be 100+ liters (like Mountain Hardware BMG)
- Light harness (like Black Diamond)
- Helmet
- 1 pair of steel crampons
- 5 locking carabiners
- 9 non-locking carabiners
- 40ft of cordlette (7mm)
- 1 Ascender
- 1 single length sling
- 1 double-length sling
- 2 pairs of glacier glasses (one spare)
- Belt for climbing pants
- Collapsable ski poles
- 1 long alpine length ice axe
- 3 stuff sacks
- 1 compression sack
- 3lbs personal snack food (real food and stuff that you know you will want to eat at altitude when you don’t feel like eating: nuts, jerky, granola bars, dried fruit, candy, etc.)
- Cup
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Guides with a 2:1 client-to-guide ratio
- Small team (max 6 climbers)
- Transportation to and from Talkeetna
- Mountain Food
- All Group Gear: Four-season tents, cooking gear, group duffels, stoves, etc.
- Satellite Phone
- Glacier flights from Talkeetna to Denali and back
- Flights to and from Alaska
- Hotels in Talkeetna or en route to Alaska
- In-town Meals: All in-town meals are your own responsibility
- Personal gear: All personal climbing gear is the responsibility of the client
- Denali National Park Climbing Permit (around $500)
- In the event of a rescue, evacuation, or early departure from the group, any rescue expenses incurred or excess expenses above and beyond our normal trip costs, including transport, hotels, evacuation, flight changes, and gear shipping, are the responsibility of the client.
- Guide Tips (customary but optional)
- Expenses incurred due to events outside CTSS's control, such as delays or interruptions, political events, natural events, or disasters. These may include additional expenses, such as extra hotel nights, resulting from delays.
- Required trip insurance policy (for trip cancellation, interruption, rescue & evacuation, medical treatment, repatriation, etc.)
We feel that choosing the right guide service for a high-altitude climb such as Denali is one of the most important decisions you will make. Expedition leadership is of paramount importance when it comes to safety, success, and the overall enjoyment during an expedition. We strongly believe our organization is the best in the business; better than our competitors, both domestic and international. Some of the reasons we believe we can offer you the best experience at an exceptional value are as follows. We are here to help you make an informed decision, so please feel free to contact us directly.
- Best expedition at a great value. CTSS believes in providing our clients with the highest quality service in the industry at a great value. Climbing and trekking are our passions, and our goal is to share these unique places and experiences with you. We want you to feel good about your experience because we believe word-of-mouth is the best advertising, and that begins with satisfied customers. There is a difference between our expeditions and those of our competitors, especially local cut-rate options. In choosing us, you are hiring the finest guides and logistical support in the industry. Benefiting from nearly 20 Denali expeditions, well over 100 high-altitude expeditions, and drawing on decades of first-hand guiding experience, we have worked hard to refine our logistics in order to offer you the highest chance of success at an exceptional value.
- We are a modestly sized guide service with highly personalized service. We maintain a moderate size so that we can tailor our Denali experience to you. Not all climbers are the same, and this is why Mike Hamill will work with you directly to make sure you choose only the programs that are right for you. Don’t get lost in the numbers with one of the larger “climbing factories”. They can’t give you the attention to detail you need for climbing a peak as important as Denali.
- The best route. CTSS climbs Denali by the beautiful West Buttress route. By using this route ,we provide you with the highest chance of success and give you the best climbing experience available on the mountain. This is due to the more relaxed terrain and greater amount of time for acclimatization en route to the summit. You will see when you’re on the mountain that there’s no better way to climb the peak than via the West Buttress route.
- The Seven Summits specialist! Climbing the Seven Summits is THE Seven Summits specialist. We focus primarily on the mountains of the Seven Summits, and Denali is one of our favorite mountains. We have been perfecting our logistics on Denali for decades to create the perfect climbing experience for you. We love the diversity of the “Seven Summits” and the challenge of climbing them all, and that is why we focus on these climbs in particular.
- Best guides. The quality of an expedition is, in large part, dictated by the individual guide(s) leading the trip. CTSS hires only the finest guides operating at the highest standards for client care who are highly trained, well-respected in the industry, and close friends that we trust. They have excellent personalities and are some of the most experienced professionals in the world. Mike and the rest of our guides are strong leaders who hold the high standards you’d expect from the premier expedition company. Our guides make our company what it is and have extensive resumes of personal climbs, high-altitude guided climbs, and certifications. All our lead guides maintain at least a Wilderness First Responder medical standard. Our Sherpa and local guides around the world are the best in the industry and do an amazing job helping you attain your goals and navigating local obstacles.
- Safety. Our primary goal at CTSS is safety. We have an unparalleled safety record, and our clientele’s well-being factors into every decision we make while on expeditions. Although we like to stand on the top of mountains more than anyone, we believe that climbing is a round-trip endeavor, and getting you back to your loved ones safely is paramount. We take many safety precautions, including bringing multiple communication devices, high-altitude safety equipment, medical kits, and the highest-quality gear to ensure a safe environment in which to climb.
- Success. Success rates on expeditions under Mike’s leadership are among the best in the business. (please refer to the summit statistics chart for more details). Mike has maintained an excellent success rate for expeditions under his direct guidance on Denali. This is a testament to our small, personalized service and attention to detail. Mike and our team of guides are incredibly proud of their summit success and work hard to get their clients to the top. As Mike says, “You can’t buy a summit, but you can buy better odds.” With our expertise, experience, and infrastructure, you can stack those odds in your favor. We offer a longer acclimatization progression for proper acclimatization to mitigate the risks of altitude sickness. Many guide services race their clients up the mountain, especially local companies, to cut corners on costs. We are highly invested in our reputation for safety and success and are always striving to improve our programs to maintain our hard-earned status. Decision-making in the mountains is supremely important, and our guides are the best in the business, have a hunger to summit on any trip, it’s safe to do so, and have a proven track record. All of our programs acclimate conservatively to mitigate the risk of having altitude issues and to give them the highest chance of success.
- You! Why choose us? Because of you! We consistently attract the best clients and believe this is because we offer the highest quality expedition at a great value. Our clientele takes the time to educate themselves about their options and choose us because of this. We feel that surrounding yourself with the right people will make you successful, and that goes for guide service owners, guides, and even those you climb with. Having a team with the right attitude and camaraderie is a key factor in making you successful.
- Logistics. Our partnership with our concessionaire partner, Mountain Trip, provides you with the finest logistics on offer. Mountain Trip has been outfitting Denali expeditions for decades and is simply the best in the business. Our logistics, flight service, food, etc, are the best available. This means eating well and living well. We feel that these creature comforts go a long way to making the time in the backcountry enjoyable. We work with the best local outfitters and provide the best local logistics, hands down.
- Professional Business Practices. Running a professional guide service that you feel comfortable putting your trust in is important to us. Because of this, we comply with all local, state, federal, and international laws. We hope that this makes you feel more confident about choosing us and our programs.
- Enjoyment. This is your vacation, and you’re here to have a good time. Our goal is to give you the experience of a lifetime, inspire you in the mountains, and have a great time doing it. This, again, comes back to our guides; they all have great personalities, and their love for the mountain is contagious.
- Because you care about giving back and local communities. A portion of the profit from each program goes to the Tiger of the Snows Fund. CTSS Owner Mike Hamill began TOTs in 2014 to provide educational opportunities for workers involved in outdoor tourism and their families globally. Visit the website at www.tigerofthesnows.com. By climbing or trekking with CTSS, you are making a conscious decision to be a global citizen and support education and local communities. In supporting The Tiger of the Snows Foundation, CTSS is creating stronger communities and giving back to the people who give us so much on our expeditions in the best way we know how: education.
- Low client-to-guide ratio. We operate all of our trips at a low client-to-guide ratio, which offers you a better, safer, and more personalized experience.
Each expedition is led by Mike Hamill.
Mike Hamill, lead guide and owner of CTSS, is universally regarded as one of the most experienced and respected high altitude mountaineers and expedition leaders in the world.
He has personally guided thousands of climbers on the Seven Summits and well over 150 climbers have stood atop 8000m peaks, including Everest with him. A guide for over 20 years, he boasts a 91% expedition success rate and an 83% climber summit success rate for all of his expeditions worldwide.
He has stood on top of Everest 6x and currently holds the record for most non-Sherpa summits of Cho Oyu. He’s also the author of the guidebook “Climbing the Seven Summits,”
To complement his leadership, Mike has hand-picked a selection of the finest mountaineering professionals from around the world to make up the international CTSS guiding team.
Our team are highly qualified and some of the most highly experienced climbers in the world. Chosen for their attention to detail, safety records along with their fun, genuine and caring personalities, we have no hesitation in saying they are the best. Mike holds the CTSS staff to the same high standards as he holds himself.
Who you choose for expedition organization and leadership is a big deal – it can be the difference between a great expedition and a miserable, potentially dangerous one and you only want the best in your corner. The fact that Mike and his guides have an unprecedented safety record should be a paramount consideration in who you choose to climb with.
Mike and the CTSS team’s love for the mountains and adventure continues in our corporate social responsibility policy. A portion of profits and fundraising climbs are organized every year in support of the “Tiger of the Snows Fund” a not-for-profit that provides grants to further education of mountain tourism workers and their families.
“Great leaders like Mike inspire and lead people to take on challenges and achieve great things.” -Tim Igo
Climbing the Seven Summits’ primary aim is to help you attain your personal climbing and trekking goals while experiencing the best of our planet, its unique cultures. and environments.
We strive to offer the highest quality mountaineering expeditions and treks at a great value while focusing on our primary goals: safety, success, and enjoyment.
We achieve this by bringing our extensive experience, top-of-the-line logistics, individualized and world-class guides to each adventure we undertake.
To give our clients the highest possible chance at success we are detailed in our approach, ensuring we’ve dotted our ‘i’s and crossed our ‘t’s. We provide personalized service, employ conservative acclimatization schedules, use top-of-the-line mountaineering, camping, and communications gear, hire only the best mountain leaders, and we don’t skimp on costs.
Our expeditions strive to set the highest standards and climb in “good style.” By this, we mean prioritizing the well-being and safety of our teams, leaving no trace on the environments we operate in, respecting culture, contributing to local economies by employing regional partners and paying them higher than the industry standard, and working in a self-sufficient and self-reliant way. We promote a responsible approach to adventure travel by connecting people to the natural world and giving back to local communities by donating a percentage of every expedition to the Tiger of the Snows Fund.
We take immense pride in our expeditions, and this shows in the positive feedback we receive from our teams who form lasting friendships forged in the mountains as they work together and overcome tough challenges.
For more client testimonials, please visit our Success & Reviews page, where you can find quotes reflecting CTSS’s leadership and experience. If you would like to talk to previous customers as references, please contact us, and we can put you in touch with many satisfied climbers. Please feel free to contact us by phone or email, and we will be happy to discuss the expedition with you. Joining a climbing or trekking expedition is a significant undertaking, and it’s essential to feel confident in the expedition leadership. The majority of our clients are repeat customers, largely due to their overwhelmingly positive experiences.
Denali FAQ
Yes, the mountain tents will be shared accommodations due to limited tent space and the weight of carrying extra tents.
In general, climbing packs on Denali are about as heavy as you will see anywhere. You will be climbing everything you need for 3 weeks in a cold and extreme environment on your back and in a sled. You will leave base camp with over 100lbs of gear which you will split up to double carry to camps up the mountain. You will then need to cary all of your equipment down and off the mountain in one go.
Yes. Trip delay and cancellation, rescue, repatriation, medical insurance is mandatory for this program for your own benefit. We have seen too many times people need to cancel their trip either before or during the expedition for reasons such as injury, health, family and business matters. With such a long trip and so much at stake, climbers need to be prepared for contingencies.
In general our food on and off the mountain is excellent. There are several good restaurants in town, and the food on the mountain is first rate. Our partners at Mountain Trip make every effort to make sure you have the best, healthiest, lightest, and heartiest food of any company on Denali.
Express Your Interest in Оur Expeditions
Reviews
CTSS Success, Testimonials, and Reviews
In 2025, 93% of CTSS climbers gave us a 5-star review. 96% gave their CTSS guide a 5-star review.
But statistics only tell part of the story.
Below, you’ll find detailed reviews, verified testimonials, and firsthand accounts that show what these ratings really mean.
"I climbed Mount Vinson in Antarctica with CTSS. Their leadership was outstanding. Not only did they help me in any possible way during my months of preparation with tips and all necessary paperwork, they continued showing and executing their professionalism on the mountain as well. The food was excellent and added to the mood of the team. They really made the effort, over and over again, to include the team in decision making and made sure everyone got the attention they needed during a big climb like this. Absolutely fabulous. I highly recommend CTSS.”
- Arnaud, Netherlands
"I am transformed forever! If you want a life-changing, positive experience with guides who have heart and tons of experience for your personalized journey to the summit, CTSS and its local guides are the Mount Kilimanjaro choice. Ethical business practices that build up guide/porter team families and the local economy, made me feel happy to be their clients in even more ways. Do it now!"
- Marie Miyashiro, United States
“I will never forget that you believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. For that I will always be grateful.”
- Jason V
A Snapshot of CTSS & Mike Hamill's Success
Expeditions under Mike Hamill’s guidance have maintained a 91% expedition success rate overall, with an 80% client success rate on all expeditions.
Mike has led well over 120 expeditions and thousands of clients over 20 years on all seven continents.
Well over 150 climbers have stood on top of 8000m peaks under Mike’s direct guidance.
Here are some of Mike’s stats:
Your Safety & Success are our priorities.
It's what makes us the most trusted Mountaineering Guide Service in the world.
91%
Expedition success rate
200+
Climbers on top of 8000m peaks
82%
Climber summit rate
"I had the time of my life on the EBC trek and am so grateful for the opportunity! I truly had lots of fun every day meeting and getting to know people from all over the world, learning about the Nepal culture, eating their food, listening to everyone's stories (so inspirational), and I felt connected to so many people. The Sherpa, all guides, cooks, staff, and porters were simply the best! No doubt, CTSS employs quality, compassionate, funny, knowledgeable, and inspiring team members to ensure our safety, well-being, and happiness along the journey! Very pleased with the entire CTSS logistics and total operations. Again, thanks to CTSS, I had the joy and best experience of a lifetime! I look forward to returning to Nepal in the near future and continuing my journeys through more treks and mountain climbs around the globe with none other than CTSS!"
— Julie M, United States
"The word trust comes to mind when I think about CTSS and why I will continue to engage them in future. When undertaking activities as serious as mountain climbing you need people you can trust, not to just make the good times happen but who have your back if things go bad.”
- Scott Gorman
“You guys are doing a fantastic job and although I’m just a client, I felt proud to be wearing a CTSS cap and it probably sounds silly but I felt honoured to hold the CTSS flag on the summit because of the way you conduct yourselves as a company. The way the expedition was put together was professional yet relaxed and I enjoyed every bit of it, seriously, the best experience of my life.”
- Tom D, Australia
"I recently had the privilege of embarking on a climbing expedition and summit attempt to Aconcagua, and I cannot express enough how exceptional the entire experience was. Opting for CTSS's custom private climb marked my second journey with CTSS and guide Nanika ‘Nani’. The custom private climb allows for greater flexibility in the schedule and additional time for acclimatization to the higher altitude. From start to finish, every aspect of the trip was meticulously organized, showcasing a level of professionalism and guide competency that truly set this adventure apart."
- Viranuj S, United States
A Milestone Trek with CTSS
I joined the Everest Base Camp trek with CTSS to mark a personal milestone: turning 60—and, even more meaningfully, celebrating 20 years of living symptom-free after being diagnosed with MS at 40. Back then, I pictured myself in a wheelchair two decades later. Instead, I found myself standing at the base of the world’s highest peak. Reaching Everest Base Camp was a deeply emotional accomplishment.
I chose CTSS because it was the only company offering trekkers the rare opportunity to spend the night at Base Camp in tents, alongside climbers preparing for their summit push. That detail mattered to me. I didn’t want just a photo at the rock—I wanted to experience the atmosphere, and I did.
The itinerary included three acclimatization days, which made a real difference: everyone in our group made it safely to Base Camp. We were nine people—different ages, different backgrounds—supported by three incredible local guides and one CTSS guide. This level of care and attention ensured that we felt safe, prepared, and looked after every step of the way.
The group dynamic was something special. We looked out for each other, we laughed, and we shared moments that still bring us together even after the trek. There was no ego—just a quiet sense of shared purpose.
I hope this story encourages someone to step outside their comfort zone and not let fear set the limits. You never really know what you’re capable of until you try.
– Irina M, Romania
Our Speed Ascents
CTSS Speed Ascent Program
CTSS takes pride in being on the cutting edge of new approaches to climbing mountains that improve safety, success, and efficiency. Mike Hamill has years of experience using portable altitude chambers to successfully pre-acclimate climbers to the rarefied air found at altitude.
Through the “Speed Ascent Program,” we work with you to use specially designed altitude chambers in the comfort of your own bed so you can spend more time at home with your loved ones and less time away on expedition. Also, safety can be improved by mitigating the amount of time spent in harm’s way in the mountains at extreme altitudes.
We feel that these altitude chambers are not a complete substitute for acclimating naturally in the mountains but have found that they can be an incredible aide and a valuable tool to facilitate faster on-mountain acclimatization and mitigate the amount of time at altitude.
Do you have serious time constraints and need to spend more time focusing on work, productivity, and family at home rather than tediously acclimatizing on the mountain? If you think this option is right for you, please contact us directly, and we will work with you on a personal plan to allow our Speed Ascent Program to maximize results.