Guide Profile: Marty Molitoris of Alpine Endeavors
Age? 36.
Where did you grow up?
Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Where do you live now?
Rosendale, NY.
What is your climbing experience?
20 years so far – rock, ice, and alpine.
What is your training background?
AMGA trained and AMGA certified in the Rock and Alpine disciplines. Member of the AMGA instructor pool for the SPI and RIC programs.
Where do you guide?
Home base is New York – Shawangunks, Catskills, and Adirondacks. In addition to this, I offer trips to areas throughout the US and abroad.
What is your favorite part about this job?
Meeting, climbing, getting to know our guests, and sharing the experiences of the climbs with them.
Most gripping or scary time on a climb?
I’ll leave this one blank...
What success are you most proud of?
Being fortunate enough to make a living doing a job I love.
What makes you a good guide?
You’ll have to ask my guests that one - I do list their comments on our website under “references”…
What is the most important part about being a guide?
Introducing the sport and teaching vital technical and safety skills to others so they can take that information and experience and head out on their own trips.
What type of climbing is your favorite? Why?
Alpine climbing. It puts it all together – the approach, camping, glacier travel, rock and/or ice climbing, not to mention the incredible scenery.
Where is your favorite climbing destination? Why?
Can’t answer that one - there are so many areas I have not yet been to…
Why should a climber hire a guide?
To increase their overall climbing experience - learn a new technique, improve existing skills, climb a route they are not comfortable leading on their own yet, etc.
What advice do you have for climbers who hire guides?
Take some time to make some calls and/or emails. Look at their experience/credentials (seek certified if possible); call and talk with them about what you want to do and get a feel for them (and decide if you would like to climb with them or not).
How can customers prepare for a guided expedition?
Each trip can be vastly different. I would suggest the best way would be to start with some reading about the area, then do a “training” day or two with your guide (if it is a more involved climb/trip). This will not only give you more experience, but also show how the two of you will work together.
Where do you recommend that climbers travel with guides?
Anywhere they feel the need - from crags in their backyard to routes they have been dreaming about. Guides teach vital skills as well as pass on some hard learned experiences.
For more info visit: www.alpineendeavors.com
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