Breckenridge’s Bill Crouse is the lead climbing guide for Himalayan Experience (www.himex.com) who figures prominently in the Discovery Channel series, “Everest: Beyond the Limit.”
Crouse, 43, summited the world’s tallest mountain for the fifth time. Outdoor Extremes reached him last week at a hotel in Argentina en route to Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. When not climbing he is a sales rep for Hestra gloves.
How do you think the “Everest” series turned out?
I think it tells people’s stories pretty clearly and truthfully. It shows how those individuals were on the mountain. Tim has a lot of drama, complains a lot, big, huge heart. Everybody kind of loves and hates him. Brett and Mogens, everybody has their own little story, and the film shares that quite well.
I think Russ (expedition leader Russell Brice) and I come off as we are. We work hard, we’re concerned, it’s not easy, you can tell how hard we’re working and frustrations are real. I’m actually very happy with the film.
How did you get into guiding?
I’ve been guiding since the late 1980s, primarily in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve guided on Denali (Mount McKinley), on Ama Dablam and Pumori (in Nepal) and some other trips in the Himalayas.
In 1999 I climbed Everest for the National Geographic North Face film, “Everest: The Mountain at the Millennium.”
That’s where I cut my teeth on Everest. Pete Athans was like, “You climb really strong up high.” He gave me a recommendation and I started guiding on Everest.
What is your best training technique?
In the summer it’s road bike riding; I ride 200 to 300 miles a week. In the winter I skin up the Breckenridge ski area virtually every morning I’m in town before the lifts open and ski down.
What was your worst injury?
I got hit in the face with a boulder the size of a sack of potatoes on a big wall climb, had to get like 30 stitches in my mouth and nose and face.
Most frightening moment?
Getting encapsulated at high camp on the north face of Annapurna I by an avalanche that ran over us. We were completely enclosed for 30 seconds. It killed four Koreans and two Sherpas.
What was the sickest thing you’ve ever seen?
Phurba Tashi, our head Sherpa, once left Advanced Base Camp on Everest (21,000 feet) and got to Camp Four (26,900 feet) in like three hours.
What music gets you revved up?
The Crystal Method. It’s definitely not mellow.
Best advice you’ve received?
Never change decisions that have been made at a lower elevation and always listen to advice from somebody at a lower elevation for judgment.
What do you know now you wish you knew before?
What I appreciate more is living life. I don’t think when we’re younger we always appreciate the value of life, how valuable life experiences and living life are.
