Mountaineering coach · Fort Collins, CO
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.
About Alan
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.
Joined the corporate world. Career spanning Hewlett-Packard and multiple tech companies. Learned operations, risk, leadership.
First climb at 38. Colorado 14er Longs Peak, in jeans.
Ida, Alan's mom is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Alan began dedicating every climb to honor her and raise funds for research.
Summited Everest at 54. Fifth attempt. Every failure taught him something.
Oldest American to summit K2 at 58. Summit Coach was born from the coaching his blog readers kept asking for.
Full-time coach. Working with climbers from first 14ers to 8,000-meter peaks.
What you get
Training and gear decisions calibrated to your schedule — not a generic template.
No financial ties to any guide service, gear brand, or expedition operator — ever.
From the first training session through base camp — Alan is reachable.
Client results
Ryan proves the floor: anyone can start. Yinghong proves the ceiling: the relationship grows with your ambitions.
““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!””
“ 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.”
Is this right for you?
Alan works with a limited number of clients. Here’s how to know if the timing is right.
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
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
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.
All tiers include Alan’s no-commissions pledge. See full pricing breakdown →
Ready to start?
30 minutes. No pressure. Bring your peak, your timeline, and your questions. Alan answers them — for free.
Alan typically responds within one business day.
