Matt Hallstead
Born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania Matt began a lifetime of mountain recreation by skiing in the Poconos as a child. He took interest in rock climbing while in college and started traveling throughout the American east in pursuit of adventures involving rock and snow. The chase for bigger objectives landed him in Salt Lake City, Utah after finishing school. Matt worked as a ski patroller in the Wasatch Range while using SLC as home base to explore the classic climbs and ski descents of the American west. After sampling several mountain states, the glaciated volcanoes of Washington felt like home. Matt is now loosely based out of Bellingham, Washington and balances mountain guiding with personal adventures year round. He spends the majority of the year working in Washington and Alaska. When not guiding, Matt can be found riding mountain bikes, trail running, or drinking obsessively brewed coffee.
Take 5 with the Guide
What was your first mountain?
Mount Shasta
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not guiding?
Riding bicycles! But maybe coffee? Coffee while bicycle?
What’s always in your snack bag?
Scandinavian Swimmers
If you could be stuck with anyone (past or present) at base camp for a week, who would you choose?
Robin Williams
One piece of advice for aspiring mountaineers
Mentorship is priceless
Significant Ascents
Denali
Mount Rainier
Mount Baker
Watson Traverse, Mount Baker
Mount Adams
Mount Shuksan
Mount Olympus
Glacier Peak
Eldorado Peak
Mount Shasta
Mount Hood
Spearhead Traverse – Whistler, BC
Wendy Thompson Traverse – Pemberton, BC
Mount Garabaldi – Squamish, BC
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder and CPR certified
Outdoor Emergency Care
AIARE Instructor
AMGA Apprentice Alpine Guide
AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide
American Avalanche Institute Pro Level 1
Leave No Trace Trainer
SPRAT Level 1
Awards & Recognition
Denali Pro Pin 2024
Great guides, excellent support infrastructure, everything was really well thought-out. I’ve recommended AAI to multiple people for future expeditions.
