Alaska Ice Climbing- 1 Day Ice Climbing Tours near Anchorage Alaska with The Ascending Path

Alaska is the best year-around place to learn Ice Climbing! Our 1 day of fun instructional climbing is for interested, fit people with little or no climbing experience. This trip is perfect for folks looking for a little more adventure than the usual...

Alaska's water ice flows are always consistent and local venues offer rugged but quick, scenic approaches. All climbing gear is included. You are fitted with: Koflach or Scarpa climbing boots, crampons, harness, helmet and ice tools.

Our experienced and certified guides are risk management professionals, we teach everything from the basics to advanced ice climbing techniques. The day is an engaging, fun and challenging experience in the Alaskan wilderness.

Ice trips depart at 8:30am from our Yurt at Alyeska Resort. Climbers are fitted with plastic mountaineering boots, crampons, harness, helmet and ice tools.

After a short drive to Portage Valley, our hike in follows an existing trail to year around avalanche debris. We then hike the glacial moraine (rugged loose rocks) where we hike onto the glacier itself. Another 500' of cramponing or roped travel gets us up to some steep ice faces, above which your guide will set the anchor. Then learn the ropes and practice your technique: "hips in, flick the wrist and trust your feet" The views from the Byron Glacier are fantastic.

Come prepared with lunch, your raingear and camera. Expect a very memorable day!

Guided climbing is all about doing, while instruction is about learning (through doing). AP staff is skilled at both and we recognize that sometimes folks just want the personal attention. Want to climb a grade 5 or bag a peak? Want to solidify your skills and confidence? Call us to discuss how we can fullfill your Chugach Alpine dreams.

Many fabulous ice and alpine climbs are available to us here in Alaska year around. Routes are conditions dependent, but we can find the right climb for you. Or perhaps you want to work on technique, anchors, lead climbing, natural protection placement, rigging, rescue techniques, mixed climbing or Alpinism... Call us for a chat.

Our 4 senior ice climbing instructors have a combined guiding experience of over 50 years. We can make it happen for you.

Throughout the Winter Season, a series of Beginner Ice Climbing Classes will be offered to Alaskans. Classes will be taught by Senior AP Guides. This Beginner series will be held on the third Saturday of each month, beginning the 3rd Saturday of January and continuing through April. The class is designed to help you progress as an ice climber over the winter.
Don't forget SUMMER ICE!

No climbing experience is necessary for this class and opportunities to increase knowledge and ability will continue with each class in the series. The cost is $750 for all 4 days and includes all gear and a 1:4 instructor to climber ratio. There is a three person minimum and a six person maximum for each class. All necessary gear is provided.

Locations: TBD, Seward Highway, Portage and/or Hunter Creek.

2010 Dates:
January 16th
Feb 20th
March 20th
April 17th

Day 1------
We start by learning general climbing technique while top-roping an easy ice route. Focus is on efficiency of placing and removing ice tools and proper crampon technique.

Day 2------
We continue with more basic technique with emphasis on "Alaskan style" decision making, route finding and planning.

Day 3------
We'll spend some time Racking gear as the Second and, if you are ready, following a multi pitch route. Different methods of Rappelling down.

Day 4------
Ice Screw placement and basic Anchor construction. V-Threads & Simple Self-Rescue scenarios are practiced.

Inquire for Availability and Book Here!

Office: 907.783.0505 info@theascendingpath.com
We accept Visa and Mastercard.

2 Day Intermediate Ice Seminar- Cost: $450

Goal: To become a competent multi-pitch follower.
Ice climbing is an amazing skill to know. If you want to be a solid and efficient climber, get out with good friends who really know what they are doing and/or take this course. Sign up and sharpen your skills!

Climb ICE!

This intermediate seminar is designed to take your existing ice climbing skills to the next level. Knowing how to place screws, rack efficiently and build top-rope anchors are necessary skills to progress as an Ice climber. These skills and more are covered in our Intermediate Ice Seminar. All necessary gear is provided, or bring your own. The maximum student-instructor ratio is 3:1.

Locations: Eklutna, Portage or Hunter Creek.

2010 Dates:
March 19th-20th
March 26th-27th

Day 1------
We start by reviewing general climbing technique and following a moderate multi-pitch ice route. Focus is on efficiency of placing and removing ice protection as well as ERNEST top-rope anchor construction and belay maintenance.

Day 2------
More anchor construction and following multi-pitch routes in good style. Focus is on technique, efficiency and working toward a mock-lead. Simple Self-Rescue scenarios are discussed.

Office: 907.783.0505 info@theascendingpath.com
We accept Visa and Mastercard.

2 Day Advanced Ice Seminar- Cost: $500

Goal: To become a competent leader.

Leading Ice requires a cool head and proper and efficient skills. If you want to be a solid and efficient ice climber, take this course, go out many times with good friends who really know what they are doing and/or hire an instructor.

Our Advanced seminar is designed to take your Ice Climbing skills to the leading level. Placing screws, building text-book perfect anchors and racking efficiently for a lead are necessary skills to be a solid lead climber. These skills, and more, are covered in our Advanced Ice Seminar. All necessary gear is provided. The maximum student-instructor ratio is 3:1. Class space is limited, so book early. 10% discount for previous students.
NEW: check out this paper(PDF) on the strength of V-threads and A-threads!!

Locations: TBD: Caribou Creek, Seward Highway, Portage or Hunter Creek.

2010 Dates:
January 23rd & 24th
Feb 13th & 14th
March 7th- Ice Fest Special! $80!!!
March 20th & 21st

Day 1------
We start by following moderate multi-pitch ice routes with focus on excellent technique and becoming more efficient with placing and removing ice protection. Afternoon is spent on ERNEST anchor construction and semi-hanging belay maintenance.

Day 2------
Focus will be on mock-Leading moderate routes and anchor construction. Afternoon is spent on Multi-pitch anchor changeovers with efficiency and working towards leading multi-pitch routes. Simple Self-Rescue scenarios are discussed and practiced.

Inquire for Availability and Book Here!

Office: 907.783.0505 info@theascendingpath.com
We accept Visa and Mastercard.

Advanced Self-Rescue Rigging Clinic- Cost: $275 (1 Day)

Goal: To be more competent in technical self and partner rescue.

Prerequisites:
To participate in this Advanced Clinic, attendees need: Previous Ascents of grade 4 Ice, solid WI3 leading abilities, multi-pitch experience, a very strong knowledge and skills base with: belaying, knots, ice screws, anchors and a keen interest in skills development. This Clinic is great for responsible climbers who simply want "more tools in the tool box". This course is appropriate for aspiring guides and instructors (Please contact us for scholarship opportunities.)

A Highly Recommended Book!

This Advanced seminar is designed to refine the art of self rescue. Skills covered include: Escaping the belay (for toprope, second, and leaders), getting to the injured climber, counter balance rappels, simple raising techniques (2:1,3:1), ascending a weighted fixed line (to a fallen leader), etc.

We believe these skills are necessary to consider yourself a responsible ice climber. Please bring your own climbing gear and lunch. The maximum student-instructor ratio is 3:1.
NEW: check out this paper(PDF) on the strength of V-threads and A-threads!!

Locations: TBD/Chugach State Park

Dates:

Feb 6th, 8am- 7pm

Feb 13th, 8am- 7pm

Office: 907.783.0505 info@theascendingpath.com
We accept Visa and Mastercard

Glacier Travel Clinic on Alyeska or Byron Glacier- Cost: $250

In partnership with Alyeska Resort, The Ascending Path offers a curriculum rich, 1-day Glacier Travel clinic.

This intensive 8 hour clinic includes roping up for mountaineering glacier travel, extensive crevasse rescue (3:1, 5:1, 9:1 Pulley system evolution) and ascending and rappelling a fixed rope. Additional skills development include, ice axe and crampon use, route finding and rope management.
We teach this class on Alyeska Glacier above the ski resort. This clinic is appropriate for current and aspiring mountaineers as well as those who wish to learn advanced glacier travel skills. Previous climbing experience is recommended, feel free to contact us with any questions.

Clinics also include interpretive glaciology discussions, a small student to guide ratio (3:1), great views of the 7 glaciers in the Girdwood bowl, a round trip Tram ticket and gear rentals. Please bring any personal mountaineering gear, water, a lunch, your camera and appropriate clothing.

This is a 8 hour clinic tailored to your schedule.
2 Person Minimum (Private Rate: $400)

Office: 907.783.0505 info@theascendingpath.com
We accept Visa and Mastercard.

Application and Waiver (PDF)

This is a 8 hour clinic tailored to your schedule. 2 Person Minimum (Private Rate: $400)

This is a 8 hour clinic tailored to your schedule.
2 Person Minimum (Private Rate: $400)