Kurt is the ultimate guide, colleague and friend. For a number of years I have climbed rock and ice under his tutelage, and have always come away with an improved set of physical and mental skills - and am for sure spiritually (in the religion of the mountains) stronger. His experience, skill, discipline and inherent wisdom come through - and rub off on the rest of us, if we are lucky. And so importantly in a guide or a ropemate - he is ultra-detail oriented and blessed with a strong sense of objective judgment; as well as being a tremendously enjoyable learning experience, you couldn''t be in safer hands than Kurt''s.