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The American Alpine Institute Equipment Shop
For over twenty-five years, the Equipment Shop at the American Alpine Institute has served the gear needs of rock and ice climbers, mountaineers and skiers exploring the world on their backcountry adventures. Its staff is dedicated towards providing logistical and equipment support for all of AAI's international expeditions and domestic courses. Equipment specialists are on hand to consult with clients on their gear needs for specific trips, answer questions on the latest equipment, and make recommendations to ensure that clients are properly equipped for their climbs with us. Our retail and rental shop in Bellingham, Wa is open to the public and stocked with the essential clothing and hardware for every climbing discipline. Please call us at 360 671 1570; we'd be happy to assist you in planning for the equipment requirements of your upcoming trip and provide for your retail and rental needs.
The Equipment Shop at the American Alpine Institute also administers AAI's prestigious Guide's Choice Award. Equipment and clothing that have been awarded the Guide's Choice designation by the American Alpine Institute have proven to be of the highest quality in their product category. The awards are made on the basis of excellence in design, performance, and durability demonstrated in rigorous international field-tests carried out by the professional guides of the Institute. All of the products at the Equipment Shop and on its website, guideschoice.com have been field tested or are in the process of being field-tested.
Equipment Shop Staff
Richard Riquelme, Manager of Equipment Services
Richard advises staff and climbers on their selection of personal equipment for domestic and foreign programs. Richard's climbing and skiing has taken him throughout Chile, Peru, and Argentina as well as to the US, Canada, and Europe. His academic training is in metallurgical engineering. He has extensive experience in search and rescue operations. Also guides for AAI and teaches AIARE avalanche courses. Native speaker of Spanish, fluent in English, and proficient in German.
Graham Hamby, Assistant Manager of Equipment Services
Graham advises climbers on their selection of equipment for domestic and foreign programs. He enjoys climbing and skiing and he has pursued these interests in the North Cascades, the Olympics, British Columbia, the Sierra, and Red Rock. Graham has previously worked as an environmental educator for the North Cascades Institute, as a field assistant for a US Forest Service bird monitoring project in Idaho, and as the manager of a nonprofit art cinema. Graham's academic major was international political economy and his minor was documentary film. In his free time -- while not climbing or skiing -- he enjoys birding.
Jeff Voigt, Guides Choice Program Coordinator and Equipment Specialist
Jeff has worked as an equipment specialist for AAI since 2007. He advises climbers on selection of equipment for domestic and international programs, and assists with the tracking and maintenance of climber and guide gear. He also coordinates the testing of equipment for our Guides Choice Program. Jeff has taught rock climbing classes and has assisted with Level 1 Avalanche courses. Jeff enjoys rock climbing and backcountry snowboarding throughout the Northwest, and has also spent time climbing in California and in the Southwest. Many of his ascents include technical glaciated peaks such as Mt. Rainier and Mt. Hood. Outside of working, and climbing he spends his time going to school to earn a degree in Geology and Earth Studies.
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