Chris Wright

ALPINIST & IFMGA MOUNTAIN GUIDE

Chris grew up in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains before moving to Oregon and becoming a guide in 2006. He can regularly be found at work from the French Alps to the Canadian Rockies and Norway’s Lofoten Islands, and occasionally chilling at home in Bend. His achievements include everything from big walls to virgin summits, first ski descents and traverses, and his guiding career has taken him from the Matterhorn to Denali, and from Mt. Hood to Mont Blanc. He is easily excited by rocks, snow and ice, and by travel, coffee, beer and greasy food of any sort.
In 2017 he’ll head to Karakorum Himalaya, Pakistan, to attempt the first ascent of the world’s second highest unclimbed peak, Muchu Chhish.

Q&A with Chris

Describe yourself in three words:
Stubborn. I think that ought to do it.

Proudest accomplishment, professional:
Toss up between putting up Terror (VI WI6+ M7 A2 R/X) on the Mooses Tooth (I know it's misspelled but that is the official spelling) and becoming the ninety-third American to be an internationally-certified IFMGA Mountain Guide.

Proudest accomplishment, non-pro:
Definitely my relationship with my espresso machine.

Biggest supporter:
Other than the espresso machine?

Mantra that keeps you going when the going gets tough:
Usually the word f*ck and the knowledge that if it's hard now it will mean something later.

Favorite Place in the US:
Anywhere I can find drink, food and friends. And rocks and snow, ideally.

What'd you want to be when you grew up?
I always thought growing up would just mean that I'd be my dad, but once I realized that being an adult didn't mean wearing a tie and driving a station wagon I went with driving a station wagon and being a mountain guide.

Why pick Picky?
Because life is too short to eat bad food, among other things.

Anything else you’d like to share?
I can tell you where to find that Thai lady if you're ever in Bangkok.