Glacier Training on Alyeska Glacier: NEW crevasses!

Matt shows Lisa the importance of angles

Lisa, Beth, Matt: setting up the EARNEST anchor

3:1 anchor

Aubrey gets to hang out in the crevasse and wait for a rescue

looking down into the crevasse

beautiful scenery inside the crevasse

Lisa pulls

extraction successful

Alyeska glacier, June 24, 2009. We practiced on the lower lookers-left side of the open glacier.

walking off the glacier, looking down at Turnagain arm

AP in Nat. Geographic

Just published: a Short blurb in National Geographic Adventure about our ice climbing trips on the Byron Glacier.

Midnight Sun Glacier Hike on Solstice

Midnight Sun Marathoners on a Midnight Sun Glacier Hike on Summer Solstice!!!!

1" of new snow on Solstice!

Wow..... last night's midnight sun glacier hike included a snowstorm!

my 4 midnight sun marathon runners did great as we climbed through the wind and rain to enjoy magical snow falling up high in the glacier bowl.

Also- a new moulin has opened and is probably 50' deep!

Black Bear on Byron, New Flowers Arriving on Trails!

Black bear on Byron Glacier, spotted June 17

Ryan with black bear in the background - upper left corner

Ice Climbing on Byron Glacier

Goats!

Hiking off of Alyeska Glacier - looking down at Turnagain Arm

One-flowered Cinquefoil , Potentilla Uniflora (Max's ridgeline)

Cut-Leaf Anemone, Anemone multifida (Crow Pass)

Moss Campion, Silene Acaulis (Mt Alyeska)

(glacier and animal pics by Ryan, flowers by Aubrey)

'09 Season Underway!!

It is (kind of) raining today! And the fact that this is notable is a clue to the amazing weather we've seen here in Girdwood this spring: lots of blue-bird days, and lots of sun! Which made for several great days of guides training on the Byron Glacier, Winner Creek Trail, and Alyeska Glacier.

Here are some shots of guides training on the Byron:


Portage, June 2, and it is a gorgeous day!

Ryan points out a family of goats which, as we watch, actually glissade down a steep snow bank off the mountain and onto the glacier below us.

Karen Hilton

New to the team this season: Lisa Portune, Aubrey Smith, and Karen Hilton

Ryan shows how its done

Aubrey gets her first shot at ice climbing

Matt: our fearless leader

practicing crevasse rescue: Karen, Beth, Bobby

Beth checks out the blues

Hello!
Just wanted to drop you a note to say we had an awesome Rainforest Hike with our guide, Beth!
Her knowledge and expertise was evident from the beginning of our journey and her kind and gentle
personality made the time with her so pleasant. Her patience with the slowest one in our group of four
was truly appreciated! We were lucky to see some spectacular views, see and hear some beautiful birds,
and learn so much about the flora of the forest. We will all never forget our wonderful experience hiking in
Alaska!! Thank you so much!!
The Eberhardts
Tom, Lisa, T.J. and Andrew

Mat Glacier May Glacier Hikes from Anchorage

Putting up the Yurt!

Well, the Yurt has been up for over a month now, but the pictures were just too good not to post, albeit long after the fact. All photographs by our very own expert guide, Karen Hilton.

Matt at the top

Heather and the door

With the top canvas on, Ryan and Matt talk the next step over

Ryan

Mat Glacier May Glacier Hikes from Anchorage

Backcountry Skiing Manitoba, Turnagain Pass

Alyeska Skiing at Telepalooza

Elmendorf Military Ice Climbing Day

Great day out ice climbing with a group from Elmendorf. Some had just gotten back from Iraq and others were getting ready to deploy. This was a teambuilding and life readjustment type trip. Ascending Path was super excited to teach climbing to these active military. They were super strong as a result of what they called "muscle failure" training; which was where they would work out lifting weights and run until they could not move any more. Then they would repeat the next day for 5 days or 6 days straight!!! Fun folks and we hope to continue working with this program. Climbing is a great mind and body sport and it reduces a ton of stress!