Touring the Alps with Scream Team Guide Geoff Unger

This month we check in with Scream Team athlete Geoff Unger, who undoubtedly leads a life filled with far more Screamer Moments than any of us back here at the office. A native of Seattle, Geoff is one of the most well trained and highly certified (IFMGA/UIAGM) mountain guides in the country. He’s a vital part of the Scream Team who has helped test our hats in some of the most extreme, and picturesque, places in the world. We caught up with Geoff after leading yet another ski tour through the Alps, this time bringing along his own father for a remarkable journey beginning in Chamonix and culminating in Zermatt.

I was particularly excited about this trip as my father was along for the journey. I’ll never grow tired of this magnificent scenery, but there’s something extra special about sharing it with others, particularly your own family.

To get the trip rolling and get some acclimatization under way we took the tram (cable car) up from Chamonix to Aiguille du Midi (literal translation “needle in the middle”). It was me, my dad and three friends. That ride is a nice way to get over the jet lag for those who have recently flown in and it makes the first day of the trip just a bit easier. We then skied the famous Vallée Blanche, an off-piste ski route, 20km long with a vertical drop of 2700m. As you might expect, the views are stunning, so much so that words could never do them justice…you really have to see it. Call me…I’ll show you the way!

Day 2 began with another lift and the real start of our tour, including a good 3000 feet of climbing to the mountain lodge where we’d spend the night. For perspective, this is far from a mountain top shack. It’s an impressive building that can sleep over 100 people.