Why hire a guide?

"Can’t I just do the trip myself...?!" Well, maybe… If you can do it safely, go for it.
But realize that by hiring a qualified guide you are getting local knowledge of current conditions, climbing and wilderness industry standard risk-management (We're Accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association), and a sincere wilderness enthusiast. Many of our guides hold multiple professional certifications and advanced degrees. We know how to use our equipment properly and we happily teach the right way to climb and hike in Alaska’s wilderness. Some guides know the Latin names of nearly every plant on a trip and we may even know a few stupid jokes…
A professionally guided trip should be an educational experience with a patient, experienced, fun leader who can not only take great photos of you, but who knows Alaska inside and out. Our goal is to facilitate your Alaska wilderness experience by interpreting your direct experience. We love our jobs!

Guest and Client Comments, Testimonials and Quotes

"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)


"We had a great time ice climbing with Louis today. We felt very comfortable climbing with him, and succeeded in getting a first time ice climber to the top! That alone speaks volumes of his instruction and we are grateful. Louis is a wonderful guide!"
Thank you, Bobbi Watto and Cindy Fairbanks


"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