Fifth episode of the mountain guides podcast
In the fifth installment of the podcast of the National Association of Mountain Guides of the Slovak Republic, we invite you back to the mountain guides’ office in Starý Smokovec. The guest of this exceptional episode is the legend of Slovak mountain guiding, Pavol Rajtár, who, on the occasion of his 90th birthday, reminisces about more than six decades of a life dedicated to the mountains.
We talk about his journey from his first steps in the mountains to building modern Slovak mountain guiding, about friendships with the greatest personalities of world alpinism, and also about the stories that shaped his life and values.
The guest of the episode is mountain guide:
- Pavol Rajtár
We talk about:
🏔️ the beginnings of mountain guiding in the High Tatras
🇸🇰 the establishment of the National Association of Mountain Guides of Slovakia and the journey to UIAGM
🧗 meetings with legends of world alpinism, such as Gaston Rébuffat, Roger Frison-Roche, and Armand Charlet
⛰️ expeditions to the Alps, South America, and other mountain ranges of the world
🤝 the philosophy of a mountain guide’s work and responsibility for clients
❤️ a love for the mountains that has lasted a lifetime
🙏 values, humility, and safe returns from the mountains
You will also learn:
- how the Slovak association of mountain guides was formed and what preceded its admission to the international organization UIAGM,
- why Chamonix and Mont Blanc were a second home for Pavol Rajtár,
- what the meetings with the greatest personalities of world mountain guiding were like,
- what he considers his greatest achievement during 55 years of guiding clients,
- why he believes the most important success is the safe return of every client home,
- and what message he passes on to future generations of mountain guides.
📍 Filmed at the mountain guides’ office in Starý Smokovec.