Great stuff. An honest and straitforward answers. Kurt points out why in a round about way many peole who get into guiding fail (ie remember you are a service-- ie. lack of people skills on the part of the guide)
He also tells the truth in that is not a way to climbe in far off places/ see the world or make alot of money.
He might want to memtion that working 200 days a year is very optimistic except in some hotbed places like the Alps etc.
Thanks
MakeItHappen - Jan 30, 2007 4:50 pm - Hasn't voted
Good stuff
Great interview with thoughtful and useful insight. Articles like this are why SP is such a gem.
Thanks for the stimulating interview Steve! It was an excellent read, and very insightful. As JScoles commented, for all those posts about "How Do I Become a Mountain Guide", each should be directed here and posed the question "Why Do You Wish To Be One?" Thanks again for a fine SP contribution. Cheers
Kurt stands by what he says in this interview. I have been thinking about taking a skills seminar with SMI and have talked with Kurt multiple times and have asked tons of questions, which Kurt answered and I am sure he has heard them a million times. He is a great guy and practices what he preaches in this interview.
It's a nice interview and a chance to hear from Kurt again. I was lucky that back in 2000 I was on an RMI climb of Mt Rainier (expedition style) with Kurt as the senior guide. He took us all the way to the summit crater with our backpacks, and we spent the night there in the crater before going down the next day. During the trip one guy fell into a crack between ice and rock while at camp. But the crack wasn't really deep, and Kurt got him out quickly - nothing like the crevasse accident he mentioned. No other trip I've done since has topped that experience. Thanks, Kurt.
This very well written interview should be added to the current Forum comments on this very topic! It puts all the negative comments about using guides into the proper perspective.
Arthur Digbee - Jan 29, 2007 12:00 pm - Voted 10/10
Great interview!I think both would-be guides and clients would find this interesting.
Does he have any good war stories?
Steve Larson - Jan 29, 2007 6:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great interview!I'm sure he does, but that wasn't the focus of the interview. His Rainier story is pretty hair raising, though.
Blair - Jan 30, 2007 6:51 am - Voted 10/10
Very CoolGreat interview, with a great guy. I have been lucky enough to meet and talk with Kurt and would recommend him and his services to anyone.
JScoles - Jan 30, 2007 1:51 pm - Hasn't voted
Good WordsGreat stuff. An honest and straitforward answers. Kurt points out why in a round about way many peole who get into guiding fail (ie remember you are a service-- ie. lack of people skills on the part of the guide)
He also tells the truth in that is not a way to climbe in far off places/ see the world or make alot of money.
He might want to memtion that working 200 days a year is very optimistic except in some hotbed places like the Alps etc.
Thanks
MakeItHappen - Jan 30, 2007 4:50 pm - Hasn't voted
Good stuffGreat interview with thoughtful and useful insight. Articles like this are why SP is such a gem.
Haliku - Jan 30, 2007 7:39 pm - Voted 10/10
Great story!Nice idea to do an interview format. Good advice. Cheers!
96avs01 - Jan 31, 2007 4:01 am - Voted 10/10
Great ArticleThanks for the stimulating interview Steve! It was an excellent read, and very insightful. As JScoles commented, for all those posts about "How Do I Become a Mountain Guide", each should be directed here and posed the question "Why Do You Wish To Be One?" Thanks again for a fine SP contribution. Cheers
wetsponge007 - Jan 31, 2007 5:26 am - Voted 10/10
Great InterviewKurt stands by what he says in this interview. I have been thinking about taking a skills seminar with SMI and have talked with Kurt multiple times and have asked tons of questions, which Kurt answered and I am sure he has heard them a million times. He is a great guy and practices what he preaches in this interview.
Cy Kaicener - Jan 31, 2007 7:28 pm - Voted 10/10
Great ArticleWe are lucky to have someone like Kurt to answer our questions and to share his experience with us.
sierrawolf - Feb 3, 2007 7:55 am - Voted 10/10
Informative & interestingIt's a nice interview and a chance to hear from Kurt again. I was lucky that back in 2000 I was on an RMI climb of Mt Rainier (expedition style) with Kurt as the senior guide. He took us all the way to the summit crater with our backpacks, and we spent the night there in the crater before going down the next day. During the trip one guy fell into a crack between ice and rock while at camp. But the crack wasn't really deep, and Kurt got him out quickly - nothing like the crevasse accident he mentioned. No other trip I've done since has topped that experience. Thanks, Kurt.
dmiki - Feb 16, 2007 9:50 am - Voted 10/10
Great interviewA very nice and informative read - thank you!
Chris956 - Aug 19, 2008 11:54 am - Hasn't voted
GreatFascinating interview - cheers!
dfrancom - Oct 18, 2008 7:06 pm - Voted 10/10
NiceI have a much better understanding of guiding now,, thanks
JanG - Oct 6, 2009 4:40 pm - Voted 10/10
Very informativeThis very well written interview should be added to the current Forum comments on this very topic! It puts all the negative comments about using guides into the proper perspective.
Cheers
JanG
olenx - May 6, 2010 3:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Very UsefulVery useful article.Thanks
shahkeer - Mar 6, 2011 11:08 am - Hasn't voted
great jobnice interview and quit usefull awsome keep it up