Eric Murphy
A talented climber and guide, Eric is a 35 year resident of the Pacific Northwest. A former competitive distance runner, and cyclist, Eric was born in Alaska and introduced to the wilderness at an early age. He has led many of our mountaineering courses in the Cascades. He has been climbing for over 25 years, and has guided trips for 16 years. Eric has vast experience in the mountain ranges of the Cascades, Rockies, Andes and Himalaya. He has led or participated in over 30 expeditions to Alaska, Canada, Kenya, Tanzania, Antarctica, Nepal, Tibet, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. His background covers technical ice, rock, and high altitude. Over the last 12 years, he has developed climbing curriculums for local organizations. Eric has guided for us in the Cascades, on Denali, Mount Vinson, Cho Oyu, Everest/Lhotse, Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro for the past 15 years. Most recently, Eric guided for us on Mt. Rainier, Kilimanjaro, Everest/Lhotse, and Denali. Eric is the most experienced Western guide working on Kilimanjaro, having led more than 95 trips on that mountain, spending significant time with the local Chagga peoples native to the lower slopes of the mountain. Other passions include ski mountaineering, distance trail running, ocean sailing, and winemaking. From 2006 until 2015 Eric was a founding member, partner and winemaker for Ott & Murphy wines, located on Whidbey Island, Washington State. When not guiding, Eric can be found near home with his wife Melissa and young son Conner in Bellingham, Washington.
Significant Ascents
Everest
Mt. Lhotse, 8516m, Nepal (1 Personal – Solo) Standard route
Kilimanjaro (98+ guided, 4 routes) Machame, Lemosho, Northern Circuit, Umbwe
Kilmanjaro circumnavigation in a day – 66 miles, 16,000 feet gain
Denali (13 guided, 2 personal, 2 routes) W. Buttress, W. Rib, 2 Casin attempts
Aconcagua (6 guided, 1 personal) False Polish, Polish glacier routes
Vinson (5 guided)
Shinn (1 guided)
Cerro Fitzroy (2 personal) Supercouloir, California routes
Cerro Poincenot (2 personal) Whillans route, 1 solo
Cerro Guillamet (1 personal) Fonrouge route
Huascuran Sur (2 Personal) Standard, Shield route solo
Alpamayo (1 personal) French Direct route
Chopicalqui (1 personal) Standard route
Huandoy Este (1 personal) Lowe route
Huanya Potosi (1 personal) Standard route
Mooses Tooth (3 personal) West ridge, Ham & Eggs, Shaken not stirred routes\
Mt Kenya (2 personal)
Mt Slesse (2 personal)
Mt Stuart (3 personal) N. Ridge, W. ridge, Stuart glacier couloir
Eldorado (guided, personal, ski)
Early Morning Spire
Forbidden Peak (personal, guided)
Mt Challenger- Picket Range
McMillan Spire – Picket Range
Mt Terror- Picket Range
Mt Fury- Picket Range
Numerous Cascade alpine climbs
Rainer (40+ guided, 6 routes, winter, ski) Emmons, Liberty Ridge, Ptarmigan Ridge, Willis Wall, Fuhrer Finger, DC
Baker (40+ guided, 4 routes, winter, ski) Coleman-Deming, Easton, North Ridge, Coleman Headwall
Glacier Peak (3 personal, 2 routes) Sitkum Glacier, Frostbite Ridge
Adams (2 personal, ski)
Shasta (winter, ski)
Numerous Canadian winter ice routes – Curtain Call, Polar Circus, Weeping Wall
Certifications
- Wilderness First Responder
- Avalanche Level II
- Leave No Trace Trainer
I have to say, that I can only speak of Alpine Ascents, the Seattle office, Gordon Janow, Joe in equipment, Chris, Ellen Cravens and Eric Murphy in superlatives. From the first phone call with Chris, through the end of our trip, and followup, our experience with Alpine Ascents has been great, without reproach. At every step of the way, we felt that fine attention was given to our every need.
