Mazamas Leader Profile

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Climbing Since: 1986

Mazamas Leader Since: 2004

Preferred Pace
(1-slow, 5-fast): 3-4

I Like Climbing On: Snow

Mazamas Service: For the last five years ski mountaineering has ruled my winter life and the last three years I had the honor and pleasure of being the chair of this committee. Assisting with basic school and ICS. Supported and actively implemented the Avalanche and Crevasse Rescue skillbuilder classes.

Major Climbing Achievements: Ski mountaineering more than 200 trips in the European Alps living in Southern Germany. Climbing lesser known peaks in the Cordillera Real around La Paz Bolivia, Ski mountaineering expedition to Muztagh Ata on the Pakistan-China border. And of course most ice and steep snow chutes on our own Mt. Hood.

Climbing and Leadership Philosophy: Be safe, teach AND learn on each and every climb, have fun. There is no ski slope or summit that's worth risking your life; you want to go on to do a lot more other adventures. No matter how rewarding the summit is, the trip preparation, the approach and the safe return will make up for a lost summit.

Favorite Summit Treat: Ritter Sport yoghurt, but hey I'm not a fussy eater; surprise me.

Personal Information: I grew up in a small town in the Netherlands. After working in South America and South East Asia I ended up living in southern Germany for 10 years in my wife's home area. Here I learned to climb and ski mountaineer. In 1993 I finished my training as a ski mountaineering climb leader for the German Alpine Society. We have one teenage son in high school. Running and biking has been my method of conditioning, but much more than that it serves as stress relieve and meditation.