TESTIMONIALS

Paul Ramsden - Piolet D’Or winner (the Piolet D’Or is given for the most impressive mountaineering achievement of the year. Paul Ramsden and Mick Fowler won the award in 2003 for the first ascent of an extreme new route on Siguniang in China)

"The first time I climbed with Stuart we flew out to Switzerland, climbed the North Face of the Matterhorn in a day, and came straight home again. What a cracking weekend ! I’ve climbed with some of the best climbers in Britain and would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone wanting a guide"

Blair Fyffe - SAIS Lochaber

"Last winter, at the end of a mild spell, Stuart persuaded me to he could find some ice on Ben Nevis. I was sceptical (no-one was out climbing !) but his enthusiasm convinced me it was worth a look. He was preparing for his Guides exams, and was practising “short-roping” me between routes. We climbed Combe Gully III,4, Two Step Corner V,5, Indicator Wall V,4 and Smith’s Route V,5, and were back at the car less than 12 hours after leaving it that morning. We only saw one other team on the whole mountain that day. This shows the quality of service guides like Stuart are capable of – I would recommend him to anyone wanting to hire a Mountain Guide."

David James - August 2007

"I’ve had three great days in the mountains with Stuart. This is only my second experience of Alpine Climbing and I’ve found Stuart to be methodical and perfect for my level of ability. Thanks for helping to improve my climbing considerably."

Rhiannon Taylor - August 2007

"Stuart has guided me twice, and on both occasions he was very encouraging…I never felt under pressure or rushed and had the fullest of confidence in him. Thank you very much for a most enjoyable week."

Lieutenant Colonel S J Hall OBE, Royal Marines - Commanding Officer, Joint Services Mountain Training Centres, UK

"Stuart was the Project Officer and Deputy Leader of the British Army’s successful 2007 Everest Expedition. This proved to be the most successful Himalayan expedition in the history of Military Mountaineering with all team members reaching the summit on 22nd May. Stuart’s professionalism and imaginative pre-training coupled with sound judgment on the mountain were instrumental to the success of the expedition and testament to his qualities as a mountain guide"

Chris Smith, February 2009 - Sales Rep for Mountain Equipment

"We certainly got our moneys worth. What a trip."

Bas Verhogt - March 2009

"These two days we’ve had with you have been better than a weeks skiing on a normal holiday. Excellent !"

Stepheno Mazetti, Italy - March 2009

"I have wasted a lot of money in my life, but today I spend my money on something very special. You found the good weather, the good snow and the good tour. Thankyou."

Martin Holloway - Haute Route March/April 2009

""Top week mate, thanks very much. Getting all 5 of us round the Haute Route was no mean feat !""

Keith Mansfield - Jan/Feb 2009. London Chairman, Price Waterhouse Coopers

""An excellent three days - spot on. As a group of 11 I know we can be quite demanding but you've coped admirably. Please book us in for the same time next year.""

Bill Gibson - March 2009, Bernese Oberland Tour

""A fantastic week. I can't believe how well it's gone. The weather's been great, we've had a real laugh, and the descent on the last day was probably the best day off piste I have ever had. 14km of fresh tracks is quite an achievement !""

Jodie, Nomadic Ski Chamonix - February 2009

""I just wanted to thank you for a first class job - well done. The clients are still buzzing about the day on the Vallee Blanche. Nomadic Ski will defnitely use you again.""

Ian Stevenson, Karl Marriot, Kevin Osborne - Focus Consultants Mont Blanc trip June 2009

""A truly memorable week. We were all very impressed. We had a great week in the mountains and are obviously delighted that we achieved our goal of summiting Mont Blanc.""

Tom Thomson - 360 Degrees Expeditions Mont Blanc trip July 2009

"Thanks again for a brilliant week. Before coming to Chamonix I had doubts about whether I would get to the top of Mont Blanc. I spoke to many people who have had 2 or 3 attempts before making it. I know we were lucky with the weather, but I sense with your professionalism we would have made it regardless of the conditions. The acclimatisation days were ideal preparation - especially giving us exposure to climbing and steep snow slopes. Your advice on gear before the trip even started was also much appreciated. My thoughts are already turning to the next challenge. Cheers, Tom "

Warren Smith - Warren Smith Ski Academy, Verbier

"Thanks very much for a great training day last week. It was a great refresher on Off Piste Safety, navigation, and rope-skills. I took my Mountain Safety Exam this week and passed no problem - thanks again for all your help. I look forward to working with you in the future."

Dr Ed Mitchell - Private Guiding - Chamonix 2009

"Thanks very much for guiding me last week. It was a valuable opportunity for me to practice my skills, watch an expert at work, and has fired me with a new enthusiasm for the hills. Every day, each carefully planned and organised with my needs and abilities in mind, proved to be a masterclass in how to move through the mountains with speed and safety. I appreciated your patient, tolerant and friendly approach to tuition and frequent helpful suggestions. I know I can improve and thanks your help and direction I have lots of ideas and plans for the coming months to do just that. Hopefully I will be coming back to the Alps next year, if not sooner, and I would readily engage your services again and recommend you to my friends. "

Urszula Tokarska - Matterhorn week - Summer 2009

"Thank you so much for getting me to the top of the Matterhorn. It was a great week, and despite the bad weather - we made it !"

Justin G, Sheffield - North Wales Rock week October 2009

"Just to say thanks a lot for a great week's guiding in Wales, again what we did surpassed my expectations! Great choice and diversity of routes, fantastic to have now done a few E1s! All the climbing we did was good but the cliff climbing at Gogarth over the wild seas was incredible - what a spectacular location... Thanks very much again and all best wishes for the coming winter season,"

Jon Holliday (MIC) and Ben Hardy (MIA) - Early season alpinism June 2009

"Stu, thanks for a top trip. The South Ridge of the Stockhorn was a great route, and a proper adventure. Thanks again."

Richard Nutton, Dubai - Intro to Alpinism September 2009

"Thanks again for a great few days and I hope to make it back to the Alps next year."

Dr Ed Mitchell - Alpine Improvement Coaching week, Aug 2009

"Thanks very much for guiding me last week. It was a valuable opportunity for me to practice my skills, watch an expert at work, and has fired me with a new enthusiasm for the hills. Every day, each carefully planned and organised with my needs and abilities in mind, proved to be a masterclass in how to move through the mountains with speed and safety. I appreciated your patient, tolerant and friendly approach to tuition and frequent helpful suggestions. I know I can improve and thanks your help and direction I have lots of ideas and plans for the coming months to do just that. Hopefully I will be coming back to the Alps next year, if not sooner, and I would readily engage your services again and recommend you to my friends. "

Justin G, Sheffield - Intro to Ski Touring, Feb 2010

"Thanks - it was a great intro to touring, I loved the emptiness and the beauty of it all. Thanks again for the week, and I'll see you again in the summer. "

Ed Remnant, London - Chamonix Off Piste Day, Feb 2010

"Stuart, we wish we'd been with you earlier this week on the Vallee Blanche instead of the local guide we took. You really made the Off Piste day a very enjoyable day out for all the group. You interacted realy well with us, and we always felt well looked after and safe. I'll definitely recommed you."







Contact: info@stuartmacdonald.org