Emile Rey, the prince of guides (1846-1895)

Born in 1846 in La Saxe, hamlet of Courmayeur, Emile Rey is considered a guide above all others, in his time, he knew how to combine technical ability, love of his work, courage and kindness, all of which are indispensable for a modern and successful relationship with clients/tourists. Always a favourite amongst rich foreign amateur climbers, Emile Rey was very in-demand.

Among the main alpine exploits by Rey we cannot fail to mention that which took place on the 5^th of January 1888: The first Mont Blanc winter of the Rochers road.
In reality the list of his memorable exploits is very long, but today what is important to remember is his mental approach to the mountain and guiding profession: "It is not the money which urges me onto the peaks, it is the great passion I have for the mountain. I have always considered fees as secondary to my life as a guide".

On the 24^th of August 1895, Emile Rey fell from the gum of the Giants Tooth, at a point which was considered to be of little risk; he was untied. Any way, he had already predicted this, in fact he said: "I feel that I can predict that one day or another they will find me in a crevasse: But it will not be danger which kills me, it will be a whim of the mountain. I have loved it and conquered it too much, because it did not avenge itself over me!"

Discover the house where Emile Rey was born, now a simple and genuinely warm and informal place of hospitality.