Ascending Path is an Alaskan climbing and eco-tourism guide service operating since 1995 world-wide and since 2002 in Alaska. We are AMGA accredited, providing technical climbing instruction and guiding and naturalist guiding in the beautiful mountains of South Central Alaska.
This Blog contains some older adventure stories, news and guides musings... for more current news and trip stories, visit our Facebook page- Enjoy!
Paramount Pictures came up to do a second unit plate shoot for CGI work with the new Star Trek 11 that released summer 2009. Paramount hire The Ascending Path and about 9 of our guides to work as glacier safety, glacier support, stunts, helo coordinators, medics, and stunt doubles for Capt. Kirk & Spock!!! We worked for few days on this in March of 2008 but were sworn to secrecy until the movie released in the theaters. Basically they shot images that they then used in the Ice Planet scene, they used the ice caves on the Knik as a template to build on on a sound stage. Bill Billmeyer and Pete Gresham were both on camera and made the final cut in the movie as stunt doubles in the Monster chase scene and the large scenic aerial shot of Capt. Kirk walking on a glacier by himself after crash landing on the ice planet. Awesome project to work on!!! ---Heather Szundy
Just wanted to say thanks for the great time my son Skyler had rock climbing.It was fun to be able to go along and watch.The guides were great!The mama moose and two babies were an added bonus!
Thanks again for everything you guys!!! Here is a link to some pics from our entire trip!! Just a few Highlights.. I took 3rd place in the middlewieght armwrestling competition(after beating once and losing once to the winner of the Iditarod Lance Mackey) Jeff took 2nd in the heavywieght division, our trip to Russia was unbelievable, and to top it off, Farrah and Belinda won a brand new Dodge 4X4 truck in the Iditarod Raffle!! But we all agree that our ice climbing adventure was by far the best part of our entire trip!!! You guys are the best!! Hopefully we will see you next year!!
I don't know if you remember me, but I took an Alpine Ascents course up to El Dorado with you in early May '01.What a great experience.I saw your face staring out of the S'03 Black Diamond catalog, so I figured I'd drop you a line and see where you are and what you are doing.How is your guiding company doing?Are you working with Alpine Ascents anymore?
I've been putting my rudimentary skills to use, mostly on rock, but I've also been tele skiing and did a bit of mountaineering.After the course, I climbed Disappointment Peak in the Tetons and then Quandary Peak down near Breckenridge.On Eric's recommendation, I also hiked the West Highland Way in Scotland.I've lived in Boston for the past year and a half and have been climbing a lot.In my first year, I followed a number of classic multi-pitch climbs in NH and the Adirondacks.I also spent a ton of time sport climbing in Rumney and onsighted an 11a in my first year.I've started leading trad as well, but am in the very early stages of it.That's definitely where I want my climbing to go... long alpine routes.
I've been tele skiing a ton.It's definitely my true passion these days.I get into the backcountry a little bit, but prefer a lot of the "sidecountry" that places like Mad River Glen and Jay Peak have to offer.In April, I'm heading up to the Chic Chocs on the Gaspesie Peninsula at the mouth of the St. Lawrence river for some spring backcountry skiing.It should be awesome.
Anyway, I have my entire summer to play with.I'm going back to graduate school in NH in the fall (30min from Rumney!).Let me know what adventures you and The Ascending Path have planned for the summer.
Maybe I could join a trip or something.Also, let me know if you're ever back in your old stopping grounds of the Gunks and ADKS.
First of all congratulations of summiting Ama Dablam - that's quite an achievement and I am most happy that you did it, Matt!
Also, wishing you and your family very Merry Christmas and that your wishes for the new year will come true.
Best Regards.
Al Vosylius
PS:Went winter climbing last week out of Durangeo, Colorado of a local peak (Engineer Mountain) for 3 days which was a lot of fun.Maybe I'll make it to Island Peak this year.
