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Alpinism
Climbing

Mathieu Maynadier

Mathieu seamlessly combines all forms and styles of climbing. A two-time national ski mountaineering champion and a professional mountain guide, who doesn’t shy away from serious sports challenges, long expeditions, and big parties.

Achievements

To be honest I don’t like to list my achievements…

One of the trips that affected me the most was my first expedition to Peru when I was 18 years old. I stayed there for three months climbing, partying and traveling. It definitely changed my life and convinced me that traveling for climbing was what I liked.

Some trips were great because of the solid sports achievements (Nepal, Pakistan), some because of the scenery and the overall vibe (Greenland remains my craziest expedition ever), and others because of the people – I’ve made wonderful friends in Pakistan, and the local ice climbing community is also why I enjoy spending time in Quebec so much.

Actually, my best achievement in 2024 is my girlfriend, who is the best person I’ve met in quite a long time.

How would you describe your relationship with nature?

It’s complicated because I like nature, spend a lot of time surrounded by it, and I can’t imagine my life in a concrete jungle. At the same time, I can see that the condition of nature is getting worse and worse, and sometimes I feel guilty because I take part in it… I can’t wait for the world to decide to just slow down. I hope one day our goal will be to just enjoy a simple life and take care of our planet.

If Mother Nature could talk, what do you think she would tell us humans?

Slow down, take care, realize what I do for you, and also be aware that when you totally ruin me, it will be too late. For me nature is similar to many women in a relationship crisis, and humans are like many men (including myself). She keeps asking us to take care of her and gives us signs, but we don’t listen. Once she’s totally broken, humans will wake up (as many men in relationships), but it will be too late. The only thing left for us to do will be to scream and realize how cool it all once was (as we men usually do when a girl quits on us, and only then do we realize that she was great).

Which expedition experience has shaped you most as a person?

Definitely my first trip to Peru as it was truly a transformative journey, after which I was super psyched to travel more. Climbing and skiing simply became a good excuse.

What basic qualities should your expedition partner have?

They need to be cool and psyched for real, and able to accept all my big flaws and my shitty character.

Which LYO product can’t you imagine going on an expedition without?

The drinks and fruit snacks during a long stay at the base camp bring so much comfort.

If you were not a mountain athlete, who would you be?

A farmer or a bartender.

Why alpinism then?

I don’t really know… I somehow got attracted to it, and some older guys brought me along with them. And since my parents didn’t have anything to do with the sport (and thought I was just trekking), they let me go out to climb on my own at a really young age.

Mash and Cheese by Mathieu Maynadier is the third dish from a special menu of meals developed in collaboration with our brand ambassadors.

Meme's vast experience as a professional alpinist inspired him to create a meal that is both calorie-dense and easy to consume at high altitudes. Discover Mash and Cheese and other meals from the exclusive Ambassadors Menu.

Discover Ambassadors Menu

Mash and Cheese by Mathieu Maynadier is the third dish from a special menu of meals developed in collaboration with our brand ambassadors.

Meme's vast experience as a professional alpinist inspired him to create a meal that is both calorie-dense and easy to consume at high altitudes. Discover Mash and Cheese and other meals from the exclusive Ambassadors Menu.

Discover Ambassadors Menu