Even though I have climbed in many parts of the world, I still love the variety, challenge and ever changing nature of the Southern Alps of New Zealand. World class routes, long approaches, remote, very few others, and only 30km from the ocean. I still find it incredible to be sitting on the deck of an alpine hut at sunset, looking over the ocean, after having just climbed a big mountain route. Best achieved with great mates and a good weather forecast!

20 Questions
Describe your favorite day climbing/skiing?
Favorite day skiing was in the Western Himalayas with my partner. We skinned up from the valley floor in a full storm. Bivyed out the night, skinned/climbed to the summit (5500m) early the next morning—perfectly clear, blue skies, majestic mountains in every direction. We clipped into our tele skis and had beaming smiles on every turn in two foot fresh powder, all the way to valley floor—nearly 3000m below—awesome! My favorite climbs now are those times when I see the joy on clients faces on reaching a summit they have worked extremely hard to attain. Especially when they thought they could not go on, and then, on top have sensory overload with the views, and the achievement they have just gained.

Who inspires you?
Mick Fowler, Tomo Cesen, Doug Coombs, Edmund Hillary, Reinhold Messner, Ernest Shackleton, TGR Team.

Favorite piece of BD equipment and why?
Kilowatt skis with 01 bindings—they provide the perfect platform to take me anywhere on the mountain I want to explore. Sabretooth crampons—most versatile crampons I’ve ever owned.

Training techniques for climbing/skiing?
Climbing—Yoga is great for flexibility and strength, just go climbing for skill, visualization for ‘head strength’.
Skiing—Same as for climbing, visualization is the key to scoping a good line. Lots of long ski runs early season to build strength and endurance for telemark technique. I find skiing (and climbing) with mates who really push each other is a good way to progress your goals.

Goals you have for the future?
Spending more time exploring Antarctica, climbing in Kazakhstan, first ascents of high mountains in eastern Tibet, exploring and climbing mountains in Afghanistan, ski descents in Afghanistan/Pakistan, returning to Cuba to rock climb—one of the coolest places I have rock climbed!

Describe the perfect climb/ski trip?
Aesthetic line, great conditions, deep powder/hard ice (depending on what I’m doing!), clear skies, crisp mornings, lots of laughs, good mates, whooping out loud, beer to finish!

What is your favorite music?
I listen to pretty much anything depending on my mood. Groovy lounge sounds, down tempo, Latin funk, or dub for chilling out. And when I’m in the mood to party, or need motivation to do something, Hip hop-R&B, retro 80’s, hard rock, or up tempo dub are the sounds that get me going!