Glacier Creek
Threshold of a Dream
Last Frontier
Caribou Creek
The Abomination of Sublimation
Night Moves
Street Primate
Polar Shrimp
Stratus
A Question of Balance
Rhythm and Blues
Hunter Creek
Lost in Space
Lost Chord
March 2013 –
Wayne Mushrush made many notable first ascents back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Mushrush ventured around the state and helped contribute to the explosion of new route development in Valdez, Caribou Creek, Glacier Creek, and other drainages. These photos capture many of the first ascents he was a part of and provide a look back into what the sport of ice climbing was like in Alaska.
Take a look at Mushrush’s Caribou Creek Guide that documents the history on the area.
What motivated you to get into the sport of ice climbing in Alaska? I became interested in ice climbing after hearing about it from local climbers. I wanted to learn new technical skills and enjoy greater freedom in the mountains. I was also influenced by aesthetics. Frozen waterfalls can be very beautiful and visiting a canyon during winter is like an art walk, where nature is the featured artist.
Today, Mushrush still resides in Alaska spending more time in the air than on the ice but does manage to get out on occasion. If you are heading to the Range, Mushrush may end up being your next pilot so be sure to say hello.
A list of his first ascents listed on the AIC guide is shown on the left.
