Silitch inside the Aiguille du Midi lift station, Chamonix, France (Photograph by Patrik Lindqvist) There are four stages of becoming a Chamonix guide and Michael has made it through two. He is considered a renfort prioritaire, a "priority reinforcement," which entitles him to some company work, a first for an American. Silitch feels by showing he is there to stay and very committed, he will eventually be voted in.
Michael spent his beginning years guiding for AAI in the North Cascades, Canada, and Alaska and in 1994, he began guiding for the Institute in France. He eventually settled there with his wife and is now living there year round and raising a family. He has truly embraced the French culture, and he, his wife, and their two sons speak fluent French.
We wish Michael well in his pursuit and hope he becomes the first American guide to be admitted to the Campagnie des Guides de Chamonix.
