Everest, Lhotse, Montana Alpine Guides, Bozeman, Mountaineering

Geoff Schellens Interview

Name:  Geoff Schellens

Hometown:  Norwich, VT

Current Residence:  Bozeman, MT

Years Climbing/Skiing: 20 +/-

Mt. Everest, Himalaya, Mountaineering, Montana Alpine Guides, Bozeman, Big Sky

Looking down the summit ridge of Mt. Everest P.C.: Geoff Schellens

Years Guiding: 10

 

MAG: So Geoff, you recently returned from a successful summit of Everest and Lhotse with a private client… What was that like? Any specific highlights of the trip that stood out?

GS:  It was an amazing experience, hard work at times but a lot of resting and being patient for a good weather window.  I think climbing Lhotse was a highlight for me; we had the whole mountain to ourselves that day and beautiful views of the sunrise over the Himalaya that morning.

 

MAG: What’s on the docket for you now Geoff? Spending some time at the beach or heading back to the mountains?

GS:  Ha, no beach time for this guy unfortunately.  I’m right back to guiding in the North West for the summer.  Heading down to Peru in a week to guide Alpamayo so that will be fun.

 

MAG: Do you remember a specific point in your life where you knew you wanted to pursue a career as a professional mountain guide?

GS:  I guess I always wanted to work outside in the mountains.  After graduating I began working in Outdoor Education and quickly found that I would end up in an office or broke so I started looking into guiding.

 

MAG: You’ve guided all over the world, is there a place that stands out as a favorite for you?

GS:  That is a tough one.  I love the Himalaya, Peru, and Alaska.  I guess if I had to pick one it would probably be the Alaska Range.  It’s such a stunning and inspiring range.

 

MAG: If you weren’t a mountain guide, what would you be doing instead?

GS:  Either an astronaut or a mailman.  Honestly, I have no idea.

 

MAG: Some folks might not know that you are also a very talented photographer (check his work out here: http://www.theexposededge.com/). When did this passion start?

GS: My dad is a photographer as well so I grew up playing with cameras and in the home made darkroom and I’ve just always kept a camera near by.

 

MAG: Alright Geoff, the final question and maybe the most important…. Would you rather fight 1 horse-sized duck, or 100 duck sized horses?

GS:  One horse sized duck for sure.