Alpine Ascents Map Animations

For most people signing up for a major expedition, the biggest unknown is what the experience will actually feel like. Alpine Ascents had detailed written itineraries, but many climbers — especially first-timers — struggled to translate that information into a clear picture of the journey. How steep was each day? How far were they hiking? What did the glaciated terrain look like compared to the approach?

We worked closely with their team to design a visual solution: a series of animated route maps. Each animation used GPS tracks collected by Alpine Ascents guides on real climbs, paired with itinerary data and labeled camp locations. These weren’t generic maps — they were grounded in the actual flow and logistics of each expedition, from flying into Talkeetna for Denali to the staged climbs of Mount Rainier or Baker.

Our goal was to make complex alpine routes intuitive. We built a branded motion system that stayed consistent across peaks and programs, combining clean typography, intuitive pacing, and subtle terrain modeling. The final result gave prospective clients a much clearer sense of the expedition — improving user experience, increasing trust, and helping climbers make better-informed decisions.

The final animations are now featured across Alpine Ascents’ website and communications — offering prospective climbers a quick, engaging overview of what to expect on the mountain. They serve both as a marketing asset and a UX tool, making dense route information digestible and dynamic.

The clarity and polish of the visuals helped reinforce Alpine Ascents’ reputation for professionalism and preparation — and gave their clients an early glimpse into the terrain, scale, and adventure ahead.