“Discover new places and learn new skills from an experienced mountain professional”
When you book with Andy Perkins, that’s exactly who you get. Over 40 years of climbing and skiing, with over 20 of those as a guide.
I started climbing and skiing in my teens, and have since then been lucky enough to travel all across the world to work and play in its white pointy parts.
Here are some highlights from over 3 decades of mountain experience:
- 17 days on Cerro Kishtwar’s north face. Intensity of experience is my goal in my personal climbing, and this one had it in spades.
- 2 rescues on Denali, the second of which earned me the Denali Pro Award and an Award for Bravery from the US Department of the Interior.
- Skiing in Arctic Norway with my wife Lise, 60 years after my dad was pioneering there in the 1950’s. Mountains run in the family!
My aim as a guide is to maximise my clients’ potential - for you to exceed your own expectations of what you’re capable of. This often means taking on new skills as well as sharpening your existing ones. The big grins when someone finally “gets it”, whether skiing or climbing, makes my job as a guide a real joy.
“Andy has an attitude that makes him an excellent guide. He has huge experience in all terrains, but it is his ability to judge the client and the conditions and get the best out of the two that makes it such a relaxing pleasure to climb with him.”
Kenneth I 2014
“Thank you for a terrific week in Chamonix. I arrived with hopes of improving my ski mountaineering, navigation, route planning, avalanche assessment, crevasse rescue etc. I left with all my expectations exceeded and having hugely enjoyed the course, including some great powder skiing. “
Paul R 2012
I obtained my qualification through the British Mountain Guides in 2001 and since 2005 I've been a member of the French guides' association, the Syndicat National Des Guides de Montagne.
I’m proud to be associated with Arc’teryx. In 2014 I featured in an Arc’teryx film about risk assessment and decision making for guides.
I speak fluent French and passable German and Italian, a useful asset as I operate throughout the alpine chain.
As well as guiding I have a major role in the Kendal Mountain Festival, Britain’s premier social climbing event, which takes place annually in November.
In my spare time, I ski powder, climb rock and eat cakes.
What my clients say
Don Whillans’s quip came home to me when I got the bus back to Geneva airport and talked to a chap who had suffered a badly broken ankle on his way to the Argentiere hut on the first day of his holiday.He also had a guide and that’s where we had gone but…..
Andy has the same attitude and this is what makes him such an excellent guide. He has of course huge experience in all terrains, but it is the ability to judge the client and the conditions and get the best out of the two that makes it such a relaxing pleasure to climb with him.
He is firm (no leading or faffing around too much) and fair (you can get to the top on time) and reasonably patient with middle aged people past their prime. Over the four days we did 28 pitches and completed Cocher Cochon, Gaspard 1er and Gateau de riz. With the help of good weather, light winds and good acclimatization in comfortable huts I had a great time with Andy and would recommend him anytime.
Thanks Andy see you again!
“The mountains will be there next year – the trick is to make sure that you are”
Kenneth IbbettCheers for a truly memorable week !!!
Enjoy the rest of the ski season and speak soon
