Paul Koubek
Paul joined Alpine Ascents in 2008 as a natural step in a lifelong year career leading groups in the outdoors and has been guiding on Kilimanjaro since 2015. Paul’s work as a guide and outdoor leader began in 1995, working with adjudicated youth in a wilderness therapy program in Utah. Since then, he has worked with the following companies: Outward Bound, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the National Outdoor Leadership School (265 field weeks, Mountaineering Program Supervisor), Yosemite Search And Rescue (Valley SAR siter with YOSAR), the Yosemite Mountaineering School, and the U.S. Antarctic Program (Lead Mountaineer). Paul has led expeditions in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, the North and Central Cascades, the Waddington Range of British Columbia, Patagonia, Alaska, Africa (Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya) India (Kumoan Himalaya) and Antarctica. Paul has traversed more than 5000 miles across the Antarctic continent and speaks conversational German and Spanish. Paul currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Mountain Guide’s Association.
Significant Ascents
Africa:
- Kilimanjaro
- Mt. Kenya (to within 150′ of summit)
Cascades / Coast Ranges of Canada:
- Rainier via: Kautz Glacier, Disappointment Cleaver, and Emmons Glacier (guiding)
- Baker via: Easton Glacier, Coleman – Deming and North Ridge.
- Hood via: Sunshine Route, Cooper Spur, Reid Glacier Headwall, West Crater Rim, and Standard Route
- North Sister via Sunshine Couloir and Standard Route
- Glacier Peak
- Washington, Oregon Cascades
- Adams via: South Spur, Adams Glacier
- Dome Peak via: Dana Glacier, Chickamin Glacier
- Slesse, NE Buttress
- Forbidden, West Ridge, (guiding)
- Sharkfin Tower (guiding)
- Stuart via: North Ridge and West Ridge
- Eldorado Peak (guiding)
- Mt Shuksan via Fisher Chimneys, Sulfide Glacier, and NE Ridge (guiding)
- NE Buttress of Johannesburg
- Torment / Forbidden Traverse
- 100+ days in Waddington Range of British Columbia, including ascents of: Mt. Jubilee, and Mt. Munday (guiding)
- Ptarmigan Traverse (guiding)
- Inspiration Traverse (guiding)
- Picket Range Traverse with ascents of: Challenger, North Ridge of Fury and North Face of Terror
Rockies:
- Grand Teton, Upper Exum Ridge
- Edith Cavell, East Ridge
- Wolf’s Head, East Ridge
- South Howser Tower (Bugaboos) Beckey – Chouinard
- Bugaboo Spire: NE Ridge
Sierra Nevada:
- 3rd Pillar of Dana
- Rostrum
- East Buttress of Middle Cathedral (guiding)
- NE Buttress of Higher Cathedral (guiding)
- 1 Day Ascent: “Lurking Fear” El Cap
- 1 Day Ascent: “Tangerine Trip” El Cap
- 3 Day Ascent: “Nose” El Cap
- 1 Day Ascent: “Nose” El Cap
- 3 Day Ascent: “Zodiac” El Cap
- 5 Day Ascent: “Mescalito” El Cap
- 5 Hour Ascent: Washington Column: South Face
- 5 Day Solo Ascent: Washington Column: Prow (winter conditions)
- 3 Day Ascent: Washington Column: Re-Animator
- 4 Ascents: West Face Leaning Tower, including 9 hour solo
- Incredible Hulk via: Red Dihedral, Polish Route
- Bear Creek Spire
- Cathedral Peak (guiding, free solo)
- Matthes Crest (many ascents including 1-Day linkup with Cathedral Peak)
- Conness (West Ridge, North Ridge)
- 1 Day Ascent: Temple Crag (Venusian Blind)
Alaska:
- Denali, West Buttress (9 guiding, 1 as National Park Service volunteer ranger)
- Francis, East Ridge (guiding)
- Barrill, Japanese Couloir (guiding)
- Dickey, West Ridge (guiding)
Central/South America:
- Aconcogua, Vacas Valley Route (guiding)
- Iztacchihuatl, Standard Route
- Crossing of Northern Patagonian Icefield (Steffen Glacier – Colonia Glacier – guiding)
Asia:
- Carstensz Pyramid
Certifications
- Avalanche Level III
- Leave No Trace Master Educator
- Wilderness First Responder (trained as Wilderness EMT).
- AMGA Certified Rock Guide
- AMGA Certified Alpine Guide
- AMGA Certified Ski Guide
- IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide
Logistics were well organized, everything fell into place and even the smallest details were looked after. Assigning an Alpine Ascents guide is an excellent idea for providing a good flow of communication (especially if there’s a problem or issue). My goal was to summit Kilimanjaro without stumbling too much along the way. More seriously, I made many new, quality friends on this adventure and arrived home safe and healthy.
