Matthew Barela
Matthew grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where his passion for the outdoors spawned. He started rock climbing at the age of 17 in the Sandia Mountains just outside Albuquerque which sparked his passion for climbing. He has been climbing for 12 years splitting his time from the rock climbing in the desert to ice climbing in Ouray, Colorado. As of this last year Matthew has made the jump from his professional career in insurance where he spent the last six years after college into full time guiding. He has a passion for meeting new people and loves sharing the sport of climbing and mountaineering with new people. When not climbing, Matthew enjoys his time at home in Albuquerque with his wife and three kids.
Climbing Resume
- Ascent of Mt. Rainer via Disappointment Cleaver
- Colorado Fourteeners
- Numerous Alpine climbs in Rock Mountain National Park
- Traditional multipitch routes throughout the Southwest up to 5.12
- Over 100 ice climb routes in Colorado and New Mexico up to WI5+ and mixed routes up to M9 as well as a handful of first ascents
- Handful of ski descents in the San Juan’s of Colorado
- Alaskan Alpine Climbs: Ham and Eggs to the Summit of Moose’s Tooth, Freezy Nuts TD+, and Peak 11300 in a day
Certifications
- Wilderness First Responder
- AMGA SPI certified
- Leave No Trace Trainer