American Mountaineering Museum

Visiting the American Mountaineering Museum

During your visit to this Colorado museum, experience the ascent of the world’s most inspiring mountains through the Museum’s collection displayed throughout its changing educational displays and interactive exhibits. Be sure to stop by the Base Camp Gift Shop, stocked with mountaineering and Colorado merchandise.

Highlights of the American Mountaineering Museum Collection

Discover some of the most historic artifacts in all of mountaineering. The American Mountaineering collection includes artifacts from mountain cultures, the 10th Mountain Division and early Colorado mountaineers.

Peter Schoening's Ice Axe

See one of the most famous items of equipment in climbing history, Peter Schoening’s ice axe. In 1953, Schoening used his ice axe to save five climbers from falling off K2 by jamming it against a boulder and pulling the men back to safety.

Ellingwood Artifacts

Learn about Albert R. Ellingwood, one of the pioneering mountaineers of the early 20th century. When Ellingwood passed away in 1934, he was one of three men who had climbed all of the officially named 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado. Additionally, Ellingwood completed numerous first ascents in Colorado and Wyoming throughout his lifetime including the Middle Teton and South Teton. Today Ellingwood’s collection of mountaineering books makes up part of the American Mountaineering Museum’s collection.

Oxygen Cylinder, 1922 British Everest Expedition

Among the highlights of the Museum’s collection is an oxygen cylinder recovered from the vicinity of Mt. Everest Advance Base Camp (c. 21,000 feet) on the East Rongbuk Glacier during the Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition in 2001. The cylinder dates back to the 1922 expedition to Mt. Everest lead by George Leigh Mallory and was the first expedition to use oxygen as a systematic aid in the ascent of a mountain.

Tenth Mountain Division

Artifacts from the Tenth Mountain Division are included in the Museum’s collection. The Tenth Mountain Division was made up of the best skiers, mountaineers, sportsmen, dogsled handlers and trappers, recruited to join the U.S. Army’s Tenth Mountain Division during World War II. The Division achieved fame toward the end of World War II for its nighttime attacks against German forces in Italy’s Apennine Mountains and most notably after the war when veterans returned home and used their skills and equipment to transform American mountaineering and launch the modern ski industry.

Shopping in the Base Camp Gift Shop

Stop by the Base Camp Gift Shop, located on the second level of the American Mountaineering Center in the Colorado Mountain Club. Books, postcards and other items unique to the American Mountaineering Museum and Colorado are available to purchase.

Travel Tips

- The American Mountaineering Museum is ADA compliant.

- The Museum hosts traveling and special exhibits related to the world of mountaineering, mountain research and related topics. Visit the official American Mountaineering Center website to find out more about traveling and special exhibits you will see during your visit.