Alpine Courses USA

Alpine Climbing in the USA

The USA is blessed with an incredible amount of open space, and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world protected by city, state and national parks.

Only to be guided by Willie Benegas! All climber guide ratios are 1:2 (2 clients)

Many of the popular climbing venues in the U.S. only allow a handful of guide services to legally operate. Therefore if we cannot secure our own permit to guide in a specific venue, we will work through one of the local concession holders as a "guest guide." In doing so, we can offer trips legally to some incredible places that are often very difficult for independent guides to gain access to:

BBE’s Guest Guide Privileges:

• Exum Mountain Guides
• Jackson Hole Mountain Guides
• Utah Mountain Adventures
• Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions
• Alpine Ascents International
• Wasatch Mountain Guides

Willie's guest guiding gives him the amazing opportunity to guide in the following permitted areas:

• Smith Rocks State Park
• Red Rock Conservation Area
• Moab BLM
• Mohonk Preserve (Gunks)
• Ouray Ice Park
• Mount Baker WA
• Eldorado Cayon CO

If you want to climb / ski in an area not listed here, just contact us… We will make it happen! Looking for local alpine climbs in Utah? Visit here. 

Custom Trips

More than two-thirds of Willie’s trips are considered “private” bookings, or Custom Trips.

These rates do not include gratuity.

Standard Trips

For all other destinations outside of Utah and all overnight trips:

• 1:1 – $600 per person per day
• 2:1 – $350 per person per day.
• 3:1 – $250 per person per day

Extreme Days

‘Extreme’ days consist of more than 10 hours of movement, often up to 14. Depending on travel and logistics, Willie may require two Standard Days instead of one extreme day.

• 1:1 – $800 per person per day
• 2:1 – $405 per person per day

This will depend on the type of climb intended (difficulty and length). Prices are pre-agreed with the client(s).

The rates listed above are accurate for  all USA domestic trips and in some cases international trips.  The final price may differ due to price fluctuations with local providers. Taxes are not included in the rates listed above and other fees may exist, depending on location. E.g. camping fees, hotels, food.

Travel
For all destinations outside of Utah the cost of Willie’s travel is to be covered by the guest. Many guide services add this to their rates, but we’ve chosen to keep it separate so that it may be divided evenly between guests. This travel fee is a second charge. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.

Food
Rates does not include providing food for  guests – we’ve found just too many differences in tastes and preferences.

Equipment
The rate does include all group camping and climbing equipment: tents, stoves, stove fuel, pots, climbing ropes, and climbing protection. The rate does not include personal camping and climbing equipment.

Gratuity
Tipping has become an ingrained part of the American service industry, and guiding isn’t an exception. Gratuity is not included in any of Willie’s rates. If you have questions or would like suggestions about how to tip your guide, please contact us.

Deposits, Refunds, and Cancelations

• A 20% deposit is needed to secure your booking, and full payment is needed 30 days prior to your trip
• If you cancel before the 30 day mark, half of your deposit (10% of the total) is non-refundable. If you cancel before 10 days prior to your trip, the entire deposit amount (20%) is non-refundable.
• If you cancel at or less than 10 days prior to your trip, there is no refund, as it is very unlikely Willie can schedule other work in such short time.
• If Willie cancels for any reason other than weather or avalanche conditions, you will get a full refund.
• Willie reserves the right to change the objective. If that is not possible or agreeable, he will make a good-faith effort to reschedule once within the next three months, but cannot guarantee rescheduling in all instances. Weather and avalanche hazard are an inherent part of the mountain and wilderness experience, and we all get “skunked” now and again!

* PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE! We cannot encourage strongly enough that you get trip insurance! Please feel free to contact me if you need assistance with this.