Name


Mat has many, many adoring fans.

Basics

I have been working as a guide or outdoor educator since 1996, and in 2006 began guiding for AAI. Since that time, I have worked in Alaska, the Cascades, the Sierra, and Red Rocks.
Currently, I am also a faculty member at the College of Western Idaho where I teach physical education courses.

Personal Geography

I grew up in Denver, Colorado and moved to Idaho in 1993 to run cross country and track. After finding that I was a better climber than runner, I quit competitive running to begin a create career in outdoor education! Since then I have lived all over the country, and spent several years as a Westfalia owner. This means I lived in my van as close to climbing areas as possible.

Proudest Climbing Achievement

In 1999, I rope-soloed Moonlight Buttress in Zion National Park for Christmas. While the climb is not that hard, the stories that came from it have been a source of laughter and inspiration for me over the last 10 years.

Proudest Personal Achievement

In 2010, I was awarded the Wilderness Education Association's Instructor of the Year Award. This is a peer recognized award for teaching in outdoor education, and I am proud to have been recognized for my contributions to the outdoor education community.

Climbing Philosophy

In my personal climbing, I love the idea of going as fast as possible until the objective is complete. This sounds hardcore, but in reality, my backpack is lighter this way and therefore my knees hurt less. After all, I can always make up for lost sleep afterwards.

Favorite Climbing Destination

Sawtooth Mountains - Idaho.

Favorite Style of Climbing

Expeditions are my favorite part of climbing, not so much the climbing but the community that develops as a function of a common endeavor. Celebrating on the summit is one thing, but learning about one another on the approach is the enjoyment for me.


Hobbies and Interests

I enjoy playing chess and bananagrams! I enjoy being involved my local community, which is Boise, ID. Whether through politics or community action, I appreciate the connections I make throughout the process. I also own my own professional development company called Experiential Adventures.

Inspirations

I think my inspiration stems from having had the opportunity to teach a lot of different people about outdoor adventure, and now to be learning from those who were once students and have gone on to teach me. Willi Unsoeld may have said it best.

"Why not stay out there in the wilderness the rest of your days? Because that's not where people are. The final test for me of the legitimacy of the experience is 'How well does your experience of the sacred in nature enable you to cope more effectively with the problems of mankind when you come back to the city?"

What we do in the mountains is chump change if we can't transfer it into our daily lives.