Xavier Cailhol 🇫🇷

Phd student & Mountain guide

My name is Xavier Cailhol and what I like is being outside. Looking at the mountains around me, understanding them and moving around in them. I wear two hats: a jack-of-all-trades mountaineer and a scientist. I study the evolution of high mountain environments, mainly hanging glaciers and the impact this has on the practice of mountaineering.
But above all, I feel like I'm living my wildest childhood dreams every day.

    • ACTIVITIES

    Mountaineering
    Climbing
    Ski Snowboard

    Your job?

    So I have two hats. I was originally a climbing instructor, then I became a mountain guide. At the same time, I am doing a PhD in geography on the impact of climate change on the practice of mountaineering.
    As I said, I study the evolution of high mountain environments in the current context that we all know and the impact that this has on the practice of mountaineering.

    Your relationship with the mountain?

    It is difficult to describe such a subject in a few lines. The mountain, for me, is more than half of my life dedicated entirely to this environment. I try to discover as many aspects as possible, to be curious, to understand what is happening there and to know everything I can.
    It is also a source of peace and an incredible feeling of freedom. In the mountains, I feel free. Free from everything, including making mistakes, to paraphrase Primo Levi.

    Your biggest dreams or projects?

    To be happy all my life, being able to go freely to the mountains. Environmental changes are scary; the regulatory temptation that we see appearing to deal with this scares me even more. I hope to be able to walk freely in the mountains until the end of my days. To enjoy a sunrise, to see the ibex in the distance, I think that is my wildest dream.

    Why the Lagoped Family?

    Because I think that today, changing practices can no longer be just wishful thinking. And this change requires changes in our practices and consumption habits. I completely identify with the values held by Lagoped, because they are the ones that drive me every day in my life choices.

    Stories

    Casse de brice Xavier Cailhol Symon Welfringer

    The Brice Heist, by Xavier Cailhol & Symon Welfringer

    On October 29, Symon Welfringer and Xavier Cailhol skied a new line on the north face of the Grande Casse (3,855 m), the highest point in the Vanoise massif.

    Wardrobe