Strategic Climbing: Operational Risk Management in the Mountains

This resource, developed by Alpenglow Expeditions and referenced in our podcast discussion with Logan Talbott, provides a detailed framework for understanding and managing risk in the big mountains. The Operational Risk Management Plan outlines how guides and climbers can systematically identify hazards, assess their likelihood and consequences, and implement mitigation strategies. In the podcast discussion, I said that I would translate this into a Deliberate Risk Assesment Worksheet (DRAW), however the format was already very close to a DRAW and I thought it would be more valuable for readers to see it in the original, more detailed format.

To me, what is really cool about this document is that it mirrors and adds to the risk management practices that the military already leverages. In the first pages, you’ll see essentially the same likelihood/consequence matrix that is found in a DRAW. Not shown is how this squares up against avalanche hazard, that is a separate post found here.

This document addresses everything from environmental threats like avalanches, altitude illness, and extreme weather to operational challenges such as equipment failure, communication breakdowns, and rescue logistics. The document also establishes clear emergency protocols, incident documentation standards, and venue-specific considerations for expeditions across the globe—from Tahoe and the High Sierra to the Himalaya and Andes. At its core, the plan reinforces that while risk in the mountains can never be eliminated, it can be managed through preparation, training, and deliberate decision-making—an essential mindset for anyone stepping into high-consequence terrain.

All personal contact information has been intentionally redacted. Rescue resources and contact information for the responsible agencies in each country mentioned, was left available.