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.

All trips depart at 9am 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 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!

For climbers who want a ropegun or those who wish to have a one on one, less structured learning environment, we offer all day private instruction and guiding.

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 2008 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 on January 19, 2008 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 $109 per person per class (for 3 or more classes) and includes all gear and a 1:4 instructor to climber ratio. There is a three person minimum and a eight person maximum for each class. All necessary gear is provided. Sign up for all 4 classes and get -10 off!

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

2008 Dates:
January 19th
Feb 16th
March 15th
April 19th

Jan 19th------
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.

Feb 16th------
We continue with more basic technique with emphasis on "Alaskan style" decision making, route finding and planning.

Mar 15th------
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.

April 19th------
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: $300

Goal: To become a competent multi-pitch follower.
Ice climbing is an amazing experience. 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. The maximum student-instructor ratio is 3:1.

Locations: Seward Highway, Portage or Hunter Creek.

2008 Dates:
January 20 & 21st
Feb 3rd & 4th
Feb 18th & 19th
March 17th & 18th

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: $325

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.
Climb ICE!

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

2008 Dates:
January 27th & 28th
Feb 10th & 11th
Feb 24th & 25th
March 24th & 25th

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.

Locations: TBD/Chugach State Park

2008 Dates:

March 10th, 8am- 7pm

March 25th, 8am- 7pm

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

Glacier Travel Clinic on Alyeska Glacier- Cost: $249

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.

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

Application and Waiver (PDF)