What does it take to become a Guide?
British Guide Matt Helliker
British Mountain Guide and leading alpinist, Matt Helliker, featured in Climb magazine
March's issue of Climb Magazine is out on the second of February, and features an interview with British Mountain Guide, Matt Helliker.
From humble beginnings around his home town of Bath (climbing E3 at 13yrs), Matt has gone on to become one of the UK's leading alpinists. He has a host of hard Alpine classics under his belt, and an impressive expedition climbing CV with new routes and first ascents up the grade of ED4 in Alaska. Well known for his love of training, he now lives in Chamonix where he works full time as a Guide.
Speaking of his life in the mountains, Matt says:
"Alpinism is my passion, having to master Rock, Ice, Mixed and Skiing and doing this in the best style possible, fast, clean and light. To have to challenge myself hard, physically and mentally, and dealing with so many things: route finding, research, equipment, weather, different techniques, calculation and commitment. There is just so much more going on in alpine climbing to master, and just turning up at the crag won’t cut it!"
The four page interview in Climb tells the full story of his impressive career to date, and some of the questions are about becoming a Guide and how he qualified. You can also find full details of the testing, yet highly rewarding, training and assessment scheme here.
