Paolo Pieroni

Our European guided ascents and private instruction courses are often guided by Paolo. He is an IFMGA Mountain & Ski Guide from Sanremo, Italy who is now based in the UK, but he is often found in Chamonix and all the action there and in the Swiss Alps. In 2008/09 Paolo spent two months guiding in New Zealand's Southern Alps and we very much enjoyed having him here as part of the team at AC Headquarters down under. Our pasta cooking skills are now much improved thanks to his input. 

Paolo says he's been climbing since "...a life time ago, in the past century, when ropes were 11mm and stiff, harnesses were made every day with tape or ropes, and soft climbing shoes had yet to be invented." He considers the mountains a pretext for traveling and finds that his curiosity always leads him to new places, new ideas, and new people.

Climbing for him is the pinnacle of mountaineering... "it is a slow journey into emotions and vertical environments through which the world is truly immense, far beyond our imagination."

He's been guiding since the late 70's and says his clients give value to every trip he does, both easy and difficult. "They are the ones that make my umpteenth ascent of Mont Blanc unlike any other and equally important... I continue to benefit from the huge smiles from strangers who become friends through a peak."

When not climbing, Paolo fulfils his need for speed and adrenaline on skis and a snowboard.

Aiguille Vert 4,122m

• Winter solo of North Face TD in 8 hours (1,000m)

Aiguille Noire de Peretey 3,771m

• Climbed West Face via Bras Cassè ED 6c

Grand Capuchin 3,838m

• Climbed via Voyage Selon Gulliver, ABO 7a

Mont Blanc du Tacul 4,240m

• Climbed the East Face of Mont Blanc Du Tacul via Goulotte Pinocchio, ED VI

Trident du Tacul 3,693m

• Climbed via Les Intouchables, ABO 7a

Pillier Rouge du Clocher 3,853m

• Climbed via 'Empire State Building' rock face, ABO 7a

• Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5,895m)
• Mount Kenya, Kenya (5,199m)
• Heldalsissen, Norway
• Mera Peak, Nepal (6,476m)
• Island Peak, Nepal (6,189m)
• Lobuche Peak, Nepal (6,119m)
• Tharpu Chuli (Tent Peak), Nepal

"I've just arrived back in the UK and I wanted to drop you a line and let you know that the trip was both fantastic and successful - we were really lucky with the weather and reached the summit of Mont Blanc on Thursday morning as planned. Paolo is a superb guide - an inspiration in the mountains and a font of knowledge about the region and all things alpinist (and many other things too - he's an extraordinary bloke)."

"I wanted to thank you for organising such a wonderful experience for me. Being a local boy from Chamonix and having shared time on the mountain with other guides, I must say that you have the BEST ones! From day one, I have personally felt very comfortable with John, Paolo, Roberto, Nick and Russell. I found each one of them to be incredibly patient, professional and extremely friendly towards us. Many times the timetable and the plans were changed, but not once did I hear the guides complain, well, not in my presence anyway!..., I am very happy with how the trip was organised and the choice of climbs and decisions made. Thank you for making this trip a great and unforgettable experience."