ACES Wild Perspectives: From Slopes to Summits: A Decade of Skill-Building

ACES: The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies offers a wealth of opportunities to learn about the local environment year-round. From guided hikes and snowshoe tours to week-long camps and educational presentations, ACES is the hub for environmental education in the region!

From Slopes to Summits: A Decade of Skill-Building for Denali

About the Presentation:

This presentation chronicles Aidan Goldie-Ahumada’s decade-long journey of skill-building in backcountry skiing and mountaineering, culminating in an ascent and ski descent of Denali, North America’s highest peak. Aidan shares the challenges, preparation, and personal growth involved in tackling one of the most iconic and demanding objectives in the mountaineering world. Through stories and photos, he highlights the dedication, teamwork, and resilience that made this dream a reality.

About the Presenter:

Born in Chile, Aidan (he/him/his) spent much of his childhood living in South America before immigrating to the United States where he lives today. In the latter half of his childhood, Aidan called the mountains of Colorado home and grew up exploring his rugged backyard peaks through the lens of backcountry skiing and ultrarunning. He is now settled in the Roaring Fork Valley where he works as a High School Physics teacher to support his community through equitable and intentional education practices.