Matt Helliker

Name: Matt Helliker

Hometown: Bristol

Sport: Alpinism, Trad, Ski, Sport, Scottish Winter (allrounder)

Matt is one of Britain's most accomplished alpinists, with an intimidating list of hard, stylish new routes and repeats to his name stretching from the Alps to Alaska, Peru, Scotland and the Himalaya. Alongside his ability on the cold stuff with Scottish IX onsights, Matt also excels on the rock - he redpoints F8c, onsights E7, head points E9, and boulders V13. He is also an excellent skier with a big list of steep, technique, serious descents to his credit. He is an IFMGA qualified guide.

Get to know Matt

Tell us about your successes so far?

Success? I honestly don’t feel i’ve had any, Im just getting started…

What are you working on? What are your goals for the future?

Currently I’m projecting a 9a sport route in Switzerland, waiting for the snows to fall, the ice to build and for me to dust down my skis and ice tools ready for some mixed climbing this winter. I have my eye on a few potential cool looking new routes both in the Alps and Scotland.

Why do you climb? What do you love about climbing?

I climb because there really is nothing better, its a lifestyle thing.

Which Scarpa shoe is your favourite?

Tricky because when I’m convinced I’ve found my best shoe Scarpa then bring out another, then the circle of a new favourite continues, but currently I’m using on rock the Drago LV, Instinct VS-R, in the mountains the Phantom Tech and on ski the Maestrale XT