Pat Schmalix

Guide

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Pat's outdoor passion began when he was introduced to climbing in the Boy Scouts. After graduating high school, he joined the Coast Guard and his first duty station was Kodiak, Alaska. This is where his love for mountaineering and climbing began. Throughout his 20 years in the Coast Guard, he bounced back and forth between Alaska and California. This allowed him to explore places such as Valdez, the Alaska Range, and Southcentral Alaska, along with Tahoe, Yosemite, and Joshua Tree. Exploring these places allowed him to fine tune the technical aspects of climbing, both on ice and rock.

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After retiring from the Coast Guard in 2016, Pat and his wife settled in Alaska. Since retirement, he has followed his dream to climb and ski as much as possible. He takes fall road trips to climb in the Western states focusing on long moderate trad routes in areas like Red Rock, Tuolumne Meadows and the Pacific Northwest. Pat enjoys all forms of climbing, but ice climbing is by far his favorite! He averages about 50 days a year swinging his ice tools throughout Alaska.

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When Pat is not climbing, you can find him backcountry skiing, XC skiing, playing ice hockey, hiking, biking, and spending down time with his wife. Pat also volunteers with Alaska Mountaineer Rescue Group where he is on the Technical Rescue team.

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Pronouns:

He/Him/His

Certifications:
AMGA Single Pitch Certification

AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide

AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
Wilderness First Responder

AIARE Level 1