Employment

Thank you for your interest in Guiding with The Ascending Path LLC

We are a small owner-operated climbing and hiking guide service located in the unique valley town of Girdwood, Alaska.

While we have many return guides, each summer we seek capable and competent guides to assist us in providing a variety of fun and educational wilderness experiences for Alaskans and Visitors.

Hiking the Ridge!!

Our Climbing Guides typically have a very strong background in roped glacier travel, rock and ice climbing, risk management and have advanced medical certifications (WFR/EMT). Most are Alaskan residents, have international climbing and backcountry experience, a bachelors degree, a clean driving record and an enthusiastic work ethic.

Our Hiking Guides have very strong environmental interpretive skills and a strong desire to share Alaska with visitors. Most are Alaskan residents, have international travel experience, a bachelors degree (preferably in Environmental Sciences, Outdoor Education or similar), a clean driving record and an enthusiastic work ethic. They primarily run half day hikes on the Winner Creek trail from Alyeska Resort.

For summers we also have 2 Internship positions open, one is an Assistant Guide / Wilderness Intern, the other as an Office Specific Intern. Interns primarily assist senior guides and staff and are given more responsibilities as knowledge, skills and abilities dictate. Please see descriptions below.

All guides receive extensive training in: field safety and risk management of technical rock and ice climbing and mountaineering. Guides will rotate between guiding Glacier Hikes, Rock Climbing, Rain Forest Hikes and working office shifts in our Yurt at Alyeska Resort. Exciting opportunities exist for climbing related film projects, science support and longer expeditions.

We work hard in the summer months, during peak times it not uncommon to guide 3 trips a day! Our busy season is from July through September. During this time of the year, the weather is normally spectacular, the guests are psyched to be outside and the tips flow quite well.

Becky being a hoot! We fully recognize that Guiding is a lifestyle choice and we highly support our guides in their efforts in exploring the many amazing things to do in and around Girdwood. Nearby are the opportunities for: rock climbing, ice climbing, glacier exploration, backpacking, Mt. biking, paragliding, sea kayaking, fishing… the list goes on…

Please read through our website to get a better understanding of our background and the services we provide. If you are interested in joining our team of committed and dedicated guides, send us a note describing why you want to guide with us and your resume.
Thanks again for your interest.

"Do what you Love.... Love what you do!"

Read Up:
About Girdwood
About Alyeska Resort

Application and Job Descriptions:
Guides Summer Application (DOC)
Seasonal Hiking & Climbing Guides (PDF)
Seasonal Naturalist Guides (PDF)
Seasonal Interns(PDF)

Testimonials:

"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

 

"The Glacier Hike was
the best experience
our family had in Alaska!"

Sharon Smith, NC

 

"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

 

"Beautiful terrain, a
very competent and helpful
guide! Absolutly loved the trip!"

Satyam, Anchita, Soumitra,
Abha, Ankur and Ashi, India

 

"It was a very good experience
going glacier hiking. I enjoyed
learning about the glacier
ecosystem."

John and Scott, Hammond, LA

 

"Awesome hike with Amy.
She is a great guide. Learned a lot.
The scenery is so beautiful,
I can't wait to come back!"

Bruce and Elise

 

Partners & Affiliations

Film Support AMGA
ACVB

Rate the Ascending Path!