Matthew Wiech

    Matthew Wiech

    Guide: Washington, Alaska, International

    Matt is from the Northeast U.S. and lives there throughout most of the year with his wife and son. Although he is passionate about the rock and ice climbing terrain in his home mountains, the Adirondacks of upstate New York, he can’t resist the diverse landscape and climbing opportunities that the rest of the country has to offer. For the better part of 20 years Matt has travelled seeking out long alpine routes, sunny desert rock climbs and perfect powder stashes with his climbing partners, whom he considers to be some of the finest people on this planet. Matt now spends his summers in the Pacific Northwest where he shares his stoke for mountaineering with his guests on Mt. Rainier and in the North Cascades. When he’s not climbing or guiding, Matt enjoys paddling quiet waters to remote campsites, cooking seasonal food and hanging out with friends and family. In between traveling for climbing and guiding objectives, Matt spends most of the winter as a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain and guiding ice climbing in the Northeast.

    Take 5 with the Guide

    What was your first mountain? When did you climb it? Who were you with?
    “Mount” Kelso, Ontario Canada 1995 with my high school friend Peter. More of a limestone escarpment than a real mountain, but first real taste of the high and wild.

    Guilty Pleasure
    Good coffee, before climbing, every morning!

    Favorite childhood breakfast cereal
    Sugar Frosted Corn Flakes

    What’s always in your snack bag?
    Meat and cheese and crackers. I have more of a savory than sweet tooth.

    Most people don’t know that…
    I used to work on a farm as a winemaker.

    Guide For:

    Aconcagua
    Denali

    Significant Ascents

    Mt. Baker
    Mt. Rainier via Disappointment Cleaver, Ingraham Glacier Direct, Liberty Ridge, Kautz Glacier, Emmons Glacier
    Grand Teton (in a day)
    Casual Route on the Diamond of Longs Peak
    Long rock routes in Red Rocks, NV and Zion National Park
    Classic traditional rock and ice routes in the Northeast U.S.

    Certifications

    WFR/CPR
    AIARE Avalanche Level 2
    Leave No Trace Trainer
    AMGA Certified Rock Instructor
    AMGA Alpine Guide Course
    AMGA Ice Instructor Course

    Seth and Devon were exceptional, and I would climb with them again.

    Denali BLOG

    • Denali Webinar

      Dominating the already immense landscape of the Alaska Range, Denali “The Great One ” is the tallest mountain in North America, rising a lofty 20,310’ above Denali National Park.  Mountaineers flock from across the globe to test their strength and climbing prowess on this ultimate alpine test piece.  If you have Denali on your list […]

    • Denali: A Photo Essay

      by Brooke Warren Denali “The High One” is the third highest of the seven summits, right behind Everest and Aconcagua, at 20,310 feet. It is an “ultra-prominent” peak with soaring vertical relief of 18,000 feet, greater even than Mount Everest (a mere 12,000′ of vertical relief) when measured from its 2,000-foot lowlands to its lofty […]

    • Dear Alpine Ascents: Insulating Ice Axe Handles?

      Hey Alpine, I’m headed up to Denali this May (!!!!) and I heard that climbers insulate their ice axes? Interesting… What’s the rationale and how do I do it? Thanks in advance and see you in Talkeetna! Sincerely, Seeking Toasty Mitts Hi Toast Mitts, Thanks for reaching out and stoked you’re headed up to the […]

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