St. Elias Alpine Guides quit guiding on Denali in 1978 because of over crowding. Today SEAG is the only mountaineering guide service not based on Mt. McKinley that offers a full range of programs, from a climbing school that includes ice climbing and glacier seminars, to general mountaineering courses, to first ascent expeditions, to high altitude mountaineering expeditions. Our expeditions are totally self sufficient. The nearest humans are nearly 100 miles away.
Education is the foundation to our climbing program.
During our expeditions numerous topics are taught and practiced such as types, differences and specific uses of equipment, knots, rope use and management, crampon, ice axe, and crevasse rescue techniques, hazard evaluation, campsite selection, sanitation, menu planning hypothermia and frostbite, to name but a few. SEAG provides most of the special climbing gear needed such as crampons, ice axes, ropes, snow shoes, snow and ice anchors, carabiners, etc., all of the group equipment such as tents, stoves, cook kits, and emergency and First Aid kits, all food, and on many expeditions the bush plane flights in and out. Participants are required to provide their personal gear which includes plastic climbing boots for some adventures, a harness and helmet, and sleeping bag, pad, pack and clothing. SEAG is a strong supporter of professionalism in mountain guiding. The owner, Bob Jacobs, is an American Mountain Guides Certified Alpine Guide, as are several of the guides who work for this small personalized company.