--- title: "Home" description: "Find out how mountaineering coach Alan Arnette can help you achieve your climbing dreams based on his Everest, K2 and 34 more summits." url: "https://summitcoach.org/" date_modified: "2026-06-17T17:24:12-06:00" --- **Everest and K2 2026 is over, but read the coverage. Alan’s daily dispatches ** — read by guide services and climbers on seven continents. [Read the coverage →](https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/everest/everest-2026-coverage) --- Mountaineering coach · Fort Collins, CO # From your first summit to Everest. One coach, the whole way. Alan Arnette started climbing at 38 — with a career and a family. He summited Everest at 54 and became the oldest American to summit K2 at 58. He built the coaching he wished he’d had. Now he gives it to you. No obligation. No prep needed. Just bring your goal. **Outside Magazine:** “One of the world’s most respected chroniclers of Everest” — with zero financial ties to any guide service. ![Alan Arnette on the summit of Everest, May 21 2011](https://summitcoach.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_0056-1-ORIGINAL-scaled.jpeg) Alan on the Everest summit, May 21, 2011 — his fourth attempt, age 54. ![Alan Arnette on the summit of K2, July 27 2014](https://summitcoach.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/R9QRCD4O6K8R4SMKOTLJMJPK6CRAPV87O_ROSDEAJPS.jpeg) Alan on the K2 summit, July 27, 2014 — oldest American to summit K2, age 58. [Book a free 30-min call](https://summitcoach.org/contact/) [See services & pricing](/services/) --- About Alan ## He’s not a pro climber. That’s the point. Alan Arnette spent 30 years in corporate America — running businesses, managing teams, hitting quarterly targets. He didn’t start climbing until 38, as a way to cope with his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. He had no natural gift for altitude. He learned from friends, mentors and through experience. No sponsored expeditions. What he had was a methodical, business-minded approach to preparation: systems, data, risk management, and a willingness to walk away when conditions demanded it. That background — not despite it, because of it — is what makes him a different kind of coach. He coaches the same people he once was: professionals with demanding lives, families, and real ambitions. ✗ **No commissions. No conflicts.** Alan never accepts payment from guide services, gear companies, or expeditions. 1979 **Joined the corporate world.** Career spanning Hewlett-Packard and multiple tech companies. Learned operations, risk, leadership. 2001 **First climb at 38.** Colorado 14er Longs Peak, in jeans. 2006 **Ida, Alan's mom is diagnosed with Alzheimer's.** Alan began dedicating every climb to honor her and raise funds for research. 2011 **Summited Everest at 54.** Fifth attempt. Every failure taught him something. 2014 **Oldest American to summit K2 at 58.** Summit Coach was born from the coaching his blog readers kept asking for. Now **Full-time coach.** Working with climbers from first 14ers to 8,000-meter peaks. --- What you get ## Three things every high-altitude climber needs 01 ### A plan built around your life Training and gear decisions calibrated to your schedule — not a generic template. — Custom multi-year training roadmap — Peak-specific TiPS guide (camp-by-camp) — Route selection & guide service review — Gear list review with no brand bias 02 ### Advice you can actually trust No financial ties to any guide service, gear brand, or expedition operator — ever. — Independent guide service evaluation — Unbiased permit & logistics planning — Real summit-vs-turnaround frameworks — Honest go/no-go weather assessment 03 ### Support when it counts most From the first training session through base camp — Alan is reachable. — Pre-expedition calls & check-ins — Real-time support during expedition — Post-expedition debrief & next steps — Ongoing access as objectives evolve --- 20+ Everest seasons covered 7 Continents reading his dispatches $0 Paid by any guide service or sponsor 8k+ Meters of personal summit experience Award-winning mountaineering coverage ## The most trusted independent voice on Everest, K2, and the world’s highest peaks. Since 2005, Alan has reported every major Himalayan season — Everest, K2, Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, and beyond. No sponsorships. No conflicts. No agenda beyond getting it right. His dispatches are read by expedition teams, guide services, search-and-rescue coordinators, and climbers preparing for their own ascents. “One of the world’s most respected chroniclers of Everest” Outside Magazine “The go-to source for Everest season news and analysis” CNN Cited as primary source during every major summit season since 2006 BBC, NY Times, Reuters Everest K2 Kangchenjunga Lhotse Gear & Safety Route Analysis [ Read the coverage → ](https://www.alanarnette.com) --- Client results ## Two stories. Every level. Ryan proves the floor: anyone can start. Yinghong proves the ceiling: the relationship grows with your ambitions. Everest · 2024 ““When I came to Alan, I had absolutely no climbing experience, and I only dreamed of climbing Mount Everest as a teenager. Initially, I thought I’d look stupid being 18, having no experience, and wanting to climb Everest, but Alan was extremely welcoming and supportive right off the bat. Despite my initial inexperience and being out of shape, Alan provided me with all the insights and training I needed to summit Mount Everest at 19. He guided me every single step of the way, all the way to the top, and I’m extremely grateful to have a coach and mentor like him. He truly gives great advice, insights, and knowledge about mountaineering and what it takes to climb the world’s highest peaks. I seriously couldn’t have done it without him!”” Ryan Everest summiteer at age 19 Everest 2024 · K2 2025 “ I got in contact with Alan in September 2023, consulting about a potential Everest expedition in the spring of 2024. Alan has extensive knowledge and experience in mountaineering and provides tailored advice and recommendations based on his clients’ individual profiles. Alan helped me make up my mind about an Everest expedition, choose the right guiding company, and provide me with the key points on technical, physical, and mental preparation for Everest. We had been working together throughout, and we kept in touch during my Everest expedition. Alan promptly provided feedback and suggestions whenever I had questions or concerns during my preparation and the expedition. I think the knowledge and help from Alan played a key role in the success of my Everest climb, and now I continue working with Alan toward my next mountaineering goal.” Yinjghong Everest summit in 2024 and K2 in 2025 Reid · Everest (Tibet) 2025 Jason · ANdes, Himalayas Mike · Ama Dablam 2025 Jim · Everest 2017 [+ Full testimonials page →](/testimonials/) --- Is this right for you? ## Coaching works. If you’re ready for it. Alan works with a limited number of clients. Here’s how to know if the timing is right. A strong fit if you... ✓ Have a specific objective — a named peak, a summit date, or a multi-year ambition ✓ Are willing to train consistently and follow a structured plan ✓ Want conflict-free advice — not validation of a decision already made ✓ Are a working professional with real-life schedule constraints ✓ Have any experience level — first 14er to returning 8,000m climber Not the right fit if you... ✗ Want a guide to physically lead you up a mountain — Alan coaches, he doesn’t guide ✗ Need someone to validate a guide service you’ve already committed to ✗ Are looking for group coaching or fixed program dates — one-on-one only ✗ Expect summit guarantees — no ethical coach can offer them --- Pricing ## Priced against the expedition, not the coaching A full Everest expedition costs $65,000–$100,000+. The question isn’t whether you can afford a coach — it’s whether you can afford to do it without one. 6 months $2,000 one-time · 6-mo engagement · Custom training plan · TiPS guide for your peak · Unlimited email + calls · Guide service evaluation 12 months $2,500 one-time · 12-mo engagement · Everything in 6-month · Full-year training cycle · Mid-year plan review · Ideal for single expedition Most popular $3,000 one-time · 2-year engagement · Everything in 12-month · Multi-peak progression plan · All TiPS guides included · Best for 8,000m build-up Long-term $4,000 one-time · 4-year engagement · Unlimited communication · All TiPS guides included · All updates for life of plan · Best for Everest & K2 goals All tiers include Alan’s **no-commissions pledge**. [See full pricing breakdown →](/prices/) --- Ready to start? ## Your summit is already in reach. Let’s build the path. 30 minutes. No pressure. Bring your peak, your timeline, and your questions. Alan answers them — for free. [Book free 30-min call](https://summitcoach.org/contact/) [View full pricing →](https://summitcoach.org/prices/) Alan typically responds within one business day. 6 months from **$2,000** 12 months from **$2,500** 2 years from **$3,000** 4 years from **$4,000**