So incredibly true - the guide, instructor or teacher usually makes or breaks the course or trip. Once went for a week of ski mountaineering and we had unreal conditions, excellent powder everywhere, but no real avalanche danger and sun shining all week. But it was the most miserable trip i have been on due to guide basically just bashing the whole group all week and letting everyone know how shit they were and being passive aggressive all day.
Went to the same area (Silvretta/Piz Buin) two years later, we had shit snow, high avalanche danger, low visibility and could only do some very minor peaks. But we all had a great time and learnt a lot due to amazing guide.
Its the same kind of personality that makes a great or horrible teacher, and in my opinion a lot of similarities to what makes a good and a bad manager in the workplace.
I agree, some of the best trips were the ones when nothing got done, but you had good company, and the worse, when things got done, but you never wanted to see that person again afterwards. Guides and instructors are just people, and they have the same crap and issues as everyone else, but, it's the sign of a real pro, that they can keep a lid on it when they're being paid to do what they do.
So incredibly true - the guide, instructor or teacher usually makes or breaks the course or trip. Once went for a week of ski mountaineering and we had unreal conditions, excellent powder everywhere, but no real avalanche danger and sun shining all week. But it was the most miserable trip i have been on due to guide basically just bashing the whole group all week and letting everyone know how shit they were and being passive aggressive all day.
Went to the same area (Silvretta/Piz Buin) two years later, we had shit snow, high avalanche danger, low visibility and could only do some very minor peaks. But we all had a great time and learnt a lot due to amazing guide.
Its the same kind of personality that makes a great or horrible teacher, and in my opinion a lot of similarities to what makes a good and a bad manager in the workplace.
I agree, some of the best trips were the ones when nothing got done, but you had good company, and the worse, when things got done, but you never wanted to see that person again afterwards. Guides and instructors are just people, and they have the same crap and issues as everyone else, but, it's the sign of a real pro, that they can keep a lid on it when they're being paid to do what they do.