Patrick Chu
Patrick grew up in the suburbs of the Silicon Valley and began venturing into the mountains during his time at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Casual weekend backpacking trips laid the groundwork for what would become a full-fledged passion for mountain climbing. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, he began his guiding career on Mt Shasta in Northern California. Here, surrounded by devoted climbers and skiers, he honed his skills for both guiding and playing in the alpine. Patrick has climbed rock, snow, and ice throughout the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, Patagonia, Alaska, and British Columbia. When Patrick isn’t dangling from a piton high in the mountains or skiing a top-secret powder stash near Lake Tahoe, he migrates back to sunny Santa Cruz in search of flip flops, warm sand, and fresh ocean air.
Significant Ascents
30+ Ascents of Mt Shasta, California, USA (via 6 routes)
West Buttress, Denali, Alaska
Amy Couloir, Aguja Guillaumet, Patagonia, Argentina
Whillans-Cochrane, Aguja Poincenot, Patagonia, Argentina
Reid Glacier Headwall, Mt Hood
Royal Arches, Yosemite Valley
Liberty Ridge, DC, Emmons, Kautz, Â Mt Rainier
East Buttress, Mt Whitney linkup with East Ridge, Mt Russell High Sierra
North Face, Fairview Dome, Tuolumne Meadows
Northeast Ridge, Bugaboo Spire, Bugaboos, British Columbia
West Ridge, Pigeon Spire, Bugaboos, British Columbia
Northwest Ridge, Mt Sir Donald, Glacier National Park, British Columbia
South Ridge, Mt Gimli, Valhallas, British Columbia
Regular Route, Third Pillar of Dana, High Sierra
Fishhook Arete, Mt Russell, High Sierra
East Buttress, Middle Cathedral, Yosemite Valley
Certifications
Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
AIARE Level II Avalanche Course
Leave No Trace Trainer
AMGA Alpine Skills Course
AMGA Ski Guide Guide
Both guides were effective teachers. They would explain, demonstrate, observe and then correct or suggest refinements. There was always another level of expertise available–and our guides were happy to go down any rabbit hole of knowledge they had (glacial features and route planning? check. One-handed munter and other knot variations? check. Names of each member […]
