The Job

I apologize for the time between posts. My life here has kept me much busier that I anticipated. The season for glacier guiding in Alaska is in full swing, meaning that I am constantly in training for or assisting on trips. I hope that this post will iron out some of the details that I wasn't able to include in my last post about the nature of my job this summer.

As an assistant guide for Exposure Alaska, I have spent most of my days leading 3 hour glacier treks on the Matanuska Glacier. Exposure Alaska's sister company, MICA Guides focuses completely on the glacier trekking and ice climbing. Assistant guides are expected to learn how to safely guide glacier treks so that they can assist in this part of the business. Although this may sound mundane, glacier trekking is involved and engaging, especially as a guide. I have come to learn that glaciers hold many dangers and challenges that cannot be seen or appreciated from a distance. Learning how to negotiate and interoperate these features to clients is challenging and rewarding. Even more challenging is trying to make sure that everyone in the group is having a good time during this process. There has been a lot of information to learn and not much time to perfect it, but I am satisfied with my progress. I hope to be checked off to lead my own solo treks within a week or two. Assisting ice climbing trips out on the glacier will soon be another part of my day to day tasks. I am really looking forward to this opportunity because it gives me the chance to share climbing (my passion) with others.

As for life in general, it's very different. I live out of a tent, shower about every 5 or 6 days, and share a small kitchen space with over 15 people (without running water). Needless to say there are advantages and disadvantages to this lifestyle but I have enjoyed it so far. The focus of my life has been on the natural world around me. The Chugach Mountains loom tall to the south of the Matanuska Glacier, often beckoning me to stare for minutes rather than seconds. The glacier itself is spectacular. I am surprised what beautiful but minute formations can be found on something so grand. I hope that this post finds you all well. Until next time

Chris Pruden

Introduction

All,

Thanks for checking out my blog. Because this is the first post, I want to take a minute and describe my situation and motivation for expanding my currently small online presence. I have a job this summer to be an assistant guide with Exposure Alaska, a guiding company based in the Matanuska Valley northeast of Anchorage. As an assistant guide I will basically be an intern, learning the craft of guiding many different activities including backpacking, glacier trekking, and ice climbing. After several weeks in a purely apprentice position I will be cleared to take small groups of clients out onto the Matanuska glacier on my own for simple treks . I wish that I could be more specific but at this point I don't really know all of the details. Just know that I am really happy to have this position and am expecting a great summer.

I have a few personal and professional goals that I hope to accomplish this summer. First and foremost, I would like to gain skills and experience that contribute to my competency as an outdoor guide. With this in mind I hope to approach this experience with a sense of humility and openness. Although I bring a unique and valuable skill-set to this job, I am well out of my element (there are no glaciers near Tucson, Arizona). I plan to rely heavily on my ability to fail gracefully, learn new skills, and try again with hopes of becoming a better person and guide throughout this process. On a personal level, my goals are to become a proficient ice climber, become a more independent/confident person, and make connections with new people through this position.

Im writing this blog because I want to take you all along for the ride as best I can. Through text and photos I hope that my friends and family will come to better understand this experience as it is seen through my eyes. As I move into a new lifestyle and place, writing something like this can also be somewhat therapeutic for me. That being said, I will try not to be too self indulgent or egotistical in my posts (I know you were all worried).

Check out these links to see the area I will be in and the company I will be working for:

http://www.glacierview-alaska.com/

http://www.exposurealaska.net/welcome.htm

I am looking forward to an awesome summer! Talk to you soon.

Chris Pruden