Our Philosophy: (Matt got a BA in Philosophy, so this section can be a bit thick!!)

Our business follows an Integral approach. "Integral" means comprehensive, inclusive, balanced, not leaving anything out. Another good definition is: Mind, Body and Spirit in Self, Culture and Nature. We strive to guide and operate our business honoring and integrating "All Quadrants and All Levels" (AQAL) of human states and stages.

There is currently an "integral revolution" occurring around the world, as all the old and partial approaches are being questioned, and new and more integral responses are being explored. For more information on Integral Philosophy try perusing: The Multiplex

For an explanation on how this can be expressed in Business, check out: Ken Wilber's Foreword to:
The Spirit of Conscious Business By Fred Kofman.

We have also been inspired by companies like Patagonia, who believe that they can follow their passion and make a positive difference in this world. Influential philosophers include: Ken Wilber, Kierkegaard, The Dali Lama, Kirin Mishra, Dan Millman and Rodger Walsh. Just to name a few… More soon!

Buy Denali Green Tags Now Green Tags are created when wind power or other renewable energy is substituted for traditional power. The result is a shift away from our dependence on burning fossil fuel to produce electricity. Using clean renewable energy is friendly to the environment and reduces emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Denali Green Tags represent the real savings in carbon dioxide and other pollutants that occur when green power replaces burning fossil fuel. APLLC is a "Greened Business", we offset our carbon footprint by Annually purchasing green tags. You can too!! When you offset your Alaskan Climbing Trip by purchasing Green Tags through us, APLLC will discount your adventures by 10%. Just ask for Denali Tags when you book your trip.

Give to Health and Welfare The dZi Foundation develops sustainable programs that positively impact individuals and communities located primarily within the Himalayan region. Our work is focused in the areas of education, health and welfare. These programs are designed to serve within the existing social framework, maintaining particular sensitivity to local culture and tradition. Within its mission, the foundation INITIATES programs, PARTNERS with projects that have proven track records, and FUNDS programs where financial restrictions are the only barrier to positive change. In 2006, the dZi Foundation undertook 28 projects in Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Pakistan, Ecuador and Peru. $1: We Match your donation $2: We Match and you get a sticker $10: You get: Sticker, and a complimentary DZI DVD (13 minutes) $20: You get: Sticker, DVD, and free Organic Cotton Ascending Path Tee $50 or more: You Get: a Sticker, DVD, and free Organic Cotton Ascending                        Path Tee Shirt and 10% off future trips with us.

Alaska's Environment Alaska Center for the Environment is Alaska's largest home-grown citizen's group working for the sensible stewardship of Alaska's natural environment. With 7,000 dues-paying members from around the state, Alaska Center for the Environment is your voice for public lands conservation, clean air, clean water, and livable places. $1: We Match your donation $2: We Match and you get a sticker $10: You get: Sticker, and a complimentary ???? $20: You get: Sticker, and free Organic Cotton Ascending Path Tee $50 or more: You Get: a Sticker, and free Organic Cotton Ascending Path Tee Shirt and 10% off future trips with us.

Guest Comments: "Dear Matt: I hope this message finds it way to you at some point when you're not ascending some mountain (or frozen waterfall) somewhere..... (!) I wanted you to know how much we appreciated your superb guidance and counsel, and that your worldview and love of nature left a lasting impression on many young scouts. I know my son, for one at least, was smitten with your zealous embrace of nature and your total mastery of outdoors skills. You are truly an inspiration to all of us who treasure time in the outdoors. Godspeed" Louis- Troop 150 (New Orleans) "Fantastic tour and a great start to our time in Alaska. We'd be happy to recommend this to anyone heading out this way- Beautiful sites and excellent guides. Thanks So much!" Jenn & Colin "We had an ausome time inventing a "new tour" for A.P. out of all the crazy things we've done around the world this definitely tops it. Our guides were great and very knowledgeable & experienced. Highly Recomended!!! Simon Daniel & Rafi Collcer, Snow Air Tours "A most wonderful experience, the best thing we have seen and experienced in Alaska." John and Cathy Filippin, Vienna VA "Shannon was a wonderful and informative guide. We had a great time and will remember it always." Sue and Peter Rennie, Montreal, QB "Great experience and a lovely way to discover the beautiful Alaskan Rainforest. Hope I will be able to come back and enjoy the winter activities! " Patricia, Brazil "First Ice Climb for Lee and Frank (father and son) and had a great time. Steady rain and some wind so conditions were a challange also. Ryan inspired confidence with his words of encouragement and pushed up to get to the top. VERY memorable, fun and "out there" kind of time." Lee and Frank, Greenbay, WI "Great Hike. Great Guide. Perfect Day. Try sliding down on your Butt in the snowfield. Excellent knowledge about the terrain." Todd, Arlington, VA "What a great Hike, Heather is the BEST." The Houstins "What an awesome experience!! Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks!" The Rosenbaums "Great hike and very informative, great view and enjoyed it very much." Harry and Betty, South Hampton, NY "Thank you Ryan for your patience. You were a wonderful guide and made our experience fun." Bob, Katherine and Emma, Williams, AZ "Wonderful! Thanks for the great experience. The New York Times was right!" Andy Taylor "Fantastic trip to the glacier with our fabulous guide, Heather. Thank you!!" Anna and Duncan, New York, NY "It Couldn't be better! An amazing experience for my first trip to the US." Thux, Vietnam "Hi Matt! This is Daniel and Sheri, we ice climbed Byron Glacier with you last week. We just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the ice climbing tour. After everything we did in Alaska, we agreed that the experience with you was by far the most challenging, most exciting and most rewarding. We really appreciated your generosity in taking pictures and video while we both climbed. Later in the week we visited Matanuska Glacier and hiked to the base of it. We ran into three groups of 15 people hiking to ice climb that glacier. I remember speaking with you and you telling me exactly what I saw. I couldn't imagine climbing with that many people! That just reaffirmed our thoughts that we chose the right people to climb with. Thank you so much for giving us such a memorable experience and we will definitely refer you to others." Best Wishes, Daniel Revis and Sheri Breit "We had an excellent adventure, thanks." Joan and Mike Janovich, La Mirada, CA "It was a very good experience going glacier hiking. I enjoyed learning about the glacier ecosystem." John and Scott, Hammond, LA "Our first Ice Climbing experience and what an awsome one it was! Ryan was an excellent guide and made it fun and comfortable for us. We will be back!" Steve and Eileen, Torrance, CA "I had a fantastic hike up the Glacier! Thanks to Matt for a great time with lots of info." Kendric "Beautiful terrain, a very competent and helpful guide! Absolutly loved the trip!" Satyam, Anchita, Soumitra, Abha, Ankur and Ashi, India "The rainforst hike was really interesting and wonderful with a kind guide. The landscape is amazing, something to remember. We LOVED it!" Mercedes and Maria, Spain "I want you to know how very sweet our time with you was and how much we enjoyed the challenge of rock climbing. I have wonderful memories, not just of that but also of hiking through the forest and Heather's graceful swooping up handfuls of blueberries and huckleberries." Kathy Estevez, St.Pete FL "The Glacier Hike was the best experience our family had in Alaska!" Sharon Smith, NC "I had no idea that I was capable of climbing that rock face!" Mike Barber, NY "I had the most amazing time on Alyeska glacier and it was just Ryan and myself. He is just such a great guy and we had the best afternoon imaginable!" Dianne Norris, AU "Dear Matt and Heather: Darrin and I want to tell you again what a wonderful experience we had with you last Saturday. Thanks so much for the guidance, expertise, teaching and overall engaging, friendly and helpful support you provided us on our first experience of ice climbing! We thoroughly enjoyed the day and have spoken often since then about the adventure. The two of you are perfect for this kind of guiding. We've spoken with many since returning to WI about our day with you - and now we're showing photos. If we can convince half of these folks to venture to AK next winter - you're going to be very busy! We wish you the best in your endeavors and hope that if we make it to Alaska in a coming winter, that our paths will cross, crampons will be attached and we'll climb with you again! Meanwhile, I'm coming to Alaska with a couple of friends in June - and maybe there's an adventure you want to present to us. Do let me know! All the best to you and thanks again." Kurt Jacobson (Darrin Schober) Corporate Team Building: The Ascending Path can provide a unique environment for Corporate Team Building. In a meeting ahead of time, we identify goals and design an appropriate curriculum to best accomplish teamwork and your vision. We consider ourselves "Integrally Informed" and design our programs accordingly. The actualization of your day (or week) in the field is accomplished with the highest standards. Industry Memberships The Ascending Path LLC is a fully insured, permitted and licensed Alaskan Business. We operate under permits from The National Forest Service, Alaska State Parks and the National Park Service. We are proud members of: Girdwood Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Convention Visitors Bureau, Alaska Travel Industry Association, Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association, the AMGA, AMRG, AAC, MCA, and The Access Fund. Ecotourism Guidelines: We seek environmentally sustainable economic growth while minimizing visitor impacts on wildlands, wildlife, Native cultures, and local communities by offering literature, briefings, leading by example, taking corrective action or other appropriate means. Travel modes and facilities used maintain a low impact on the natural environment; tour use is sustainable over time without significantly altering the resource or negatively affecting the experience. We provide direct benefits to the local economy and local inhabitants thereby providing an incentive for local support and preservation of wild areas and wildlife habitat. We seek appropriate means to minimize their effects on the environment in all phases of their operations including office practices. We ensure that managers, staff and contract employees know and participate in all aspects of company policy to prevent impacts on the environment, Native cultures, and local communities. There is an educational emphasis and purposeful desire for travelers to learn about the natural and cultural history of the places they visit. There is a formula for the business and guests to contribute to local non-profit efforts for environmental protection. The travel is in the spirit of appreciation, participation, and sensitivity. At some point, a tour group becomes too large to be considered "ecotourism."

THE ASCENDING PATH, PO BOX 102254, Anchorage, AK 99510-2254 Office: 907.783.0505  info@theascendingpath.com Copyright© 2000-2008 THE ASCENDING PATH LLC, All Rights Reserved.