Ascending Path Guides- Read about the fantastic guides who you will share your Alaskan Adventure with.

Spring/Summer 2009

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Guides, Staff & Instructors:
Guides are allowed to accept, and are grateful for gratuities.
Check out our 2009 Guides Blog!!

	Matt Szundy: Founder/Climbing Guide Matt has been skiing for 30 years and climbing for over 20. He is an Eagle Scout and first tied into a rope in 1987. In 1995, Matt founded The Ascending Path LLC and has been guiding full time ever since. Highlights of his experience include: Walls in Yosemite, M6 in Canada & 5.12 in CO and a 10-pitch first ascent in New Zealand (back in the day). He has mountaineering ascents in Nepal, Peru, Argentina, New Zealand, Antarctica and Alaska. Matt has climbed Denali 10 times (5 summits). He has WFR certs from SOLO and WMA, Avalanche 2, White Water Rescue 3 Technician, and is an AMGA Certified Guide. Matt has a passion for managing risk. He worked for 3 years as Field Safety for the US Antarctic Program. He was the SAR Team Leader for the USAP 04/05, attended 2 Rigging for Rescue Courses and volunteered for 2 seasons on Denali as an NPS VIP/Search and Rescue Ranger. He has helped produce many climbing film projects and contracts his Field Safety services and Science Support to several return clients. Matt holds a BA in Philosophy. He reads a lot of Integral Philosophy and lives in Anchorage with his wife Heather and their poochers, Chaya.
	Heather Szundy: Owner and Climbing Guide Heather has been climbing and teaching for over 10 years. Her patience, keen observation skills and compassionate attitude lend very well to mountain skill instruction. She has a wide range of climbing experience from Aconcagua to Denali, desert rock to Alaska ice. Her technical climbing includes routes in the North Cascades, Bugaboos, Squamish, The Ruth Gorge and Joshua Tree to name a few...(Not to mention: Peru, Nepal, New Zealand, Thailand and Antarctica!) However, Alaska and its mountains have been her love since working at the base of The Alaska Range since age 15. She spent 2 seasons in Antarctica, on the secondary SAR team at McMurdo Station. Heather has WFR and Level 1 Avalanche Certs as well as a BS in Microbiology/Pre-med. She was the secretary/treasurer of AWRTA (Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association), an Alaskan wilderness & eco-tourism advocacy non-profit. Heather runs our Office and guides as well. Her passions include Yoga, knitting and Naturopathic Medicine; she lives in Anchorage with her husband Matt and their poochers, Chaya.
	Beth Branson: Yurt & Guides Manager/Naturalist Hiking Guide It was in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where Beth first explored the wilderness. Childhood hikes and camping trips evolved into the climbing of mountain peaks and back country excursions. An explorer by nature, Beth developed a penchant for examining the intricacies and oddities of the world. As a college basketball coach, she had a reputation for stopping the team bus to observe a coyote on the hunt for mice, or a red-tailed hawk plying the winds. She has worked as a teacher in both Colorado and Hawaii, and developed a curriculum based on observations and experiences in the outdoors. In Hawaii, Beth led her students on research dives, hikes on Hualalai Volcano, reforestation projects and camping trips near the summit of Mauna Kea for astronomy studies. Five years ago, Beth and her husband, Perry, decided to travel overseas during the winter, and make Girdwood, Alaska their summer home. Beth is eager to share her passion for the wild places of Alaska. Check out her website for hand knits for your Journey!
	Ryan Davis: Senior Guide Rock, Ice, Glacier and Ski Guide Ryan is a committed mountaineer and has been climbing rock and ice for over 15 years. While telemark skiing is his favorite sport, he chooses first and foremost to teach the basics of mountaineering and all else that is Alpinism. With over 17 years of emergency medical experience Ryan is currently a certified Wilderness First Responder. He is a world ranked telemark extreme skier, PSIA certified ski and snowboard instructor and a ski race coach for the Alyeska Ski Club. With extensive rescue experience he has been on 4 different "Volunteer in Parks" National Park Service search and rescue patrols on Denali. His training and certifications includes: EMT II, PSIA Level I Adaptive Ski Instructor, OEC, WFR and Avalanche classes. Having over 10 year's snow safety experience he spends his spring in Haines Alaska as a helicopter ski guide. "Helping people become more comfortable, safe and efficient in the mountains is what I do best." RD
	Sam Johnson: Senior Guide Ice Instructor/Guide Samuel Johnson, an Alaska resident since 1979, has been climbing since 1996. He has climbed in Alaska, the United States, Canadian Rockies, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Asia, completing the first ascent of Severance Ridge on Trango II in the Trango Towers of Pakistan's Karakoram in 2005 and attempting the first complete ascent of Latok II's Northwest Ridge twice in 2007. Sam's varied climbing in Alaska includes: guiding a variety of routes for AMS since 2004, first ascents of new mixed routes on Thunder Mountain and Mt. Providence, the second ascent of Mt. Hunter's infamous Diamond Arete, and two large rock routes in the Arrigetch Peaks (a repeat of the North Buttress of West Maiden and the first ascent of the Pillar Arete on Caliban). Sam's most recent Alaska adventures were the first ascent of Mount Balchen's Alchemy Ridge with fellow Fairbanksan Matt Klick, and the first solo of the Complete West Ridge of Mount Yukla. Sam has a WFR, is a Masters level social worker and current grad student in the UAF-UAA Joint Psychology Ph.D Program with Rural-Indigenous emphasis. He currently lives in Fairbanks with his bride, Wendy Sailors-Johnson. Check out his BLOG.
	Karen Hilton: Senior Guide Rock, Ice and Glacier Guide Karen's Passion is adventure: she has climbed in Asia, South America, New Zealand, and loves Alpine Rock, 5.12's, packrafting, backcountry and kite skiing, the list goes on... She has been teaching climbing for over 17 years, and holds a BS with a double major in Park and Recreation Administration and Tourism Management, with minors in Environmental Studies and Business Management from Indiana University. She worked as an Avalanche Safety Educator from 2005-2007 with Alaska Avalanche School, and as an Adjunct Professor for APU in the Outdoor Studies Program from 1998-2006. Karen worked the W. Butt on Denali from 2000 to 2005 as an NPS Mountaineering Ranger, where she saved many lives and perfected her hash-brown making skills. Her last 2 Austral Summers have been spent in Antarctica as a Field Safety Instructor for the US Antarctic Program, these experiences qualify her to guide on Alyeska Glacier� Karen is a professional photographer and has an amazing eye; her images can be found at www.karenhilton.com. She is single, has an infectious laugh and can be found on Facebook�
	Louis Sass: Senior Guide Rock, Ice and Mountain Instructor In 1988 Louis borrowed an ice axe and began his mountaineering career at age 11. He received his own rope for his 15th birthday in 1992 and was leading alpine rock the next week. Since then, Louis has guided expeditions and lead courses extensively in the Alaska and Chugach Ranges, including Denali, Mt. Marcus Baker and many other peaks. He also guides and instructs for NOLS, AMS, the US Antarctic Program and has climbed in New Zealand, Canada and all over North America. Louis has a BA in Geology and holds certifications in Avalanche 3, EMT and WFR. A technical rock and ice specialist, Louis is about as solid as a guide gets. He Lives in Anchorage with his wife Bryn.
	Mike Roberts: Senior Guide Rock, Ice and Mountain Guide Mike is a good friend and an IFMGA guide. He has summitted Mount Everest twice and led expeditions to Aconcagua, Denali (11 ascents), Vinson Massif in Antarctica, Gasherbrum I & II in Pakistan, Cho Oyu in Tibet and Muztagh Ata in Western China. He has also managed to fit in 14 seasons mountain and ski guiding in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, 10 seasons in Antarctica as a Field Leader / Guide to the USA Antarctic Program, has worked as a professional ski patroller / avalanche forecaster and is a qualified physiotherapist. Mike teaches ice climbing and guides technical mountaineering trips for APLLC in the winters.
	Joe Stock: Senior Guide- Just got his PIN!! Rock, Ice, Mountain and Ski Guide Joe has been climbing and skiing around the world for 24 years. His highlights have been long alpine climbs in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, limestone rock climbing in Thailand, mixed climbs in Colorado and spring ski mountaineering in Alaska. At the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, Joe began his undergraduate degree in geology then finished in physical geography. Later he recieved a graduate degree in watershed science (snow science focus) from CSU in Fort Collins, Colorado. He became a certified alpine guide in 2003, ski mountaineering certified in 2008 and rock certified in 2009. In addition to guiding, Joe works as a writer, photographer and hydrologist. He lives in Anchorage with his wife Cathy and their boxing cat Jinxy.
	Sherrie Soltis: Senior Guide Rock & Ice Instructor Sherrie was born in a log cabin atop of a hill in Chugiak Alaska. Her back yard growing up was the Chugach State Park. During her teenage years she fell in love with the mountains, wandering thru and skiing down them. She holds a WFR and graduated from Alaska Pacific University Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Counseling and Psychological Studies and a Minor in Outdoor Studies. It was at APU where she picked up her obsessive ice climbing compulsion. Sherrie has been ice climbing now for 10 years and leads water ice 5+. Sherrie has rock climbed all over the world: Thailand, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, and Argentina. She has guided Denali twice, Aconcagua, Mt. Kenya, Sport Climbing in South Africa, and on the Mendenhall glacier in Juneau. She has also skied the Orient Express on Denali. Sherrie loves taking people out and introducing them to climbing and the mountains. Being outside is her passion in life; it's what makes her truly happy. Sherrie is currently enrolled in a nursing program at UAA. Check out her blog of latest adventures!
	Bill Billmeier: Senior Guide Rock & Ice Instructor Bill has been an outdoorsman since as long as he can remember. He spent high school learning the basics of mountaineering in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and then thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1999 before moving to Alaska. He completed the famous Outdoor Studies program at Alaska Pacific University in 2003, where he graduated with honors. Alaska introduced Bill to climbing in general in all its varieties: glacier mountaineering, alpine rock and ice, sport climbing, snowy ridge climbing and all things in between. Bill loves exploration and discovering new climbs and areas, the process of which often finds him skiing through heavy brush, floating endless glacial rivers or crossing open water at forty below zero. Bill guides and instructs mountaineering for AMS and Mountain Trip, and has put in 9 trips on Denali's West Buttress, as well as many mountaineering courses in the Alaska Range and Chugach mountains. He holds certifications in WFR and Avy 1. He leads M6, long vertical ice and crumbly alpine rock if he can't find anything better. Most of all, Bill loves teaching people anything about climbing and he enjoys sharing his love of Alaska.
	David Silverstone: Glacier Guide Dave Silverstone has lived in Alaska for five years, completing his undergraduate degree at Alaska Pacific University in 2008 majoring in outdoor studies and with a degree in Environmental Science. In 2007 he spent much of the summer conducting glacier monitoring research on Eagle Glacier, just north of Girdwood. Dave is currently pursuing a career in glaciology and has committed to two major research projects this summer in addition to guiding with The Ascending Path. These include working on the McCall Glacier in Alaska's Brooks Range, the only US glacier monitoring site in the Arctic, as well as on the nearby Eklutna and Eagle glaciers. Dave's mountaineering experience includes traversing the heavily glaciated Chugach Mountain range from north to south in 2005. Dave is certified as a WFR by WMI and also has Avalanche 2, CPR and Swift Water Rescue certifications. He is fully committed to the preservation of our environment and contributing to climate research. Dave is looking forward to enhancing your Alaskan experience this summer.
	Todd Jensen: Naturalist Hiking Guide In 1993, Todd came to Alaska and started his own guiding company, renting canoes and guiding trips into the Kenai Wildlife Refuge on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. He has spent the last thirteen seasons working as a naturalist and guide in Alaska. His passion is to teach and share with others, the wild lands of the world. His adventures have taken him rafting, hiking and canoeing in most of Alaska's National Parks including, the Gates of the Arctic, Denali, Wrangel-St. Elias, Katmai and Kenai Fjords National Park. Todd's most recent adventures were 12-day journeys on the Kongakut River (the northeastern most river in AK.) and the Canning River (the western boundary of ANWR), rafting and exploring Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He graduated San Diego State University in 1986 with a Bachelor's of Art in Recreation Administration with an emphasis in Outdoor Education. Todd currently spends his winters in San Diego, CA where he continues to guide for his Alma Mater and lead trips into Baja, Mexico and will always seek out new and adventurous places.
	Lisa Portune: Glacier & Naturalist Guide Lisa has lived and worked year-round in Alaska for the last 8 years. She first tied into a rope at a limestone quarry in Indiana in 1992 and has been climbing ever since. She has been skiing and snowboarding for 25 years, primarily backcountry snowboarding since 1996. The last 15 years Lisa has worked as a trail crew leader, wilderness ranger, snow plower, Leave No Trace instructor, wildland firefighter, sawyer, and snowboard instructor. Lisa currently works as an avalanche forecaster for the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center in the winter and is a professional member of the American Avalanche Association. She is an avid skate skier, splitboarder, and trail runner. Lisa has a BA in Biology and holds certifications in Avalanche I and II. She lives in Girdwood with her husband Sean and their dog Zeke.
	Aubrey Smith: Apprentice Guide Aubrey feels truly lucky to have been born and raised in Seward, Alaska, where she could spend her summers growing up in the mountains and on the waters of the Kenai Peninsula. Every summer she got to hike, bike, and kayak in some of the most beautiful places on earth, while learning to appreciate the outdoors in every kind of weather, the importance of bug dope, and the true delicacy of ramen noodles covered in ketchup. Mountains are her true love, along with skiing. She attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette Michigan on a running and Nordic skiing scholarship, was a 7 time All-American while earning an English degree. While in college she also competed internationally with the US Development team and for Team Atomic. She now coaches at Williams College in Massachusetts every winter, but returns to her real home, Alaska, in the summers to run up mountains, ski down them, and eat as many blueberries as possible along the way.
	Chaya Szundy: Mountain Dog Though fairly new to the climbing scene, Chaya has taken quickly to the activity. While this Husky mix prefers a good game of stick for Yummy Chummies, she nonetheless has many ice climbing and backcountry ski trips under her collar. She loves packrafting. A 2 time graduate of the Anchorage animal control center, Chaya holds certifications in Rabies and is an Anchorage Licensed Dog�. And yes she has her WOFR. Chaya recently founded the AMDA (Alaska Mountain Dogs Association) through which she intends gain dog access to National Parks and ensure lots of Salmon Chummies for all AMDA's. Chaya, (which means "shadow" in Nepali) will be supervising our Yurt this summer and ski-jouring daily in the winter.