Cat Phones Ambassador Profile: Mountaineer & Paraglider Fred Prieur-Blanc

Job Title: Mountain Guide, ski and paragliding instructor

Age: 48

Nationality: French

Working locations: Alps, Himalayas, Alaska, Andes

Mobile phone hazards: Cold, snow, humidity, long periods without power.

Phone for the job: Cat S60

I WAS BORN ON SKIS

I started to climb very early at the age of 12 and I started to fly at almost 18. And that’s my life.

MY DREAM IS…

Because I’ve been leading people all over the world, in the Himalayas, Alaska, South America and travelled a lot for my job, my dream would be to do some windsurfing in a nice place by the ocean with a cliff nearby to go paragliding. I’ve got a different dream for mountain climbing.

MY MOUNTAIN CLIMBING DREAM IS…

To go back to Alaska. I’ve been there three times to lead people to Denali (Mt McKinley). I would like to go back with friends for skiing and mountain climbing.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT FLYING IS…

It’s not just about flying. I like the climbing part first, getting to the top of the mountain and flying from the top. It’s not easy for me to describe how it feels when I’m flying: it’s like switching off your brain. It’s quite similar to when you’re skiing on nice powder snow or climbing on a cliff.

As a mountain guide and as a paragliding instructor I can lead people to the top of Mt Blanc and fly down the valley from there. That’s what I do with my clients. For them it’s a personal achievement. But for me it’s nice to make them happy. I’m there to push them a bit, help them to take off. I follow and we land together.

I REALLY WANT TO GO TO NEW ZEALAND

My big goal is to go to New Zealand for climbing and to combine different things – climbing, windsurfing and flying. I would like to travel with my parapente and climbing stuff. I don’t have a specific goal.

I’VE USED CAT PHONES FOR A LONG TIME

I’ve had several Cat Phones. The first one was the B15. I was using the S40 for the last year. It was a very good mobile phone for me – waterproof, cold resistant, dust proof and anti shock. Now I use the S60.

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO TESTING THE PHONE

I’m really interested in the Cat S60, especially to see if you can find someone caught in an avalanche. We don’t know yet – it’s important to say that – we need to try it. I’m looking forward to getting the phone and making some tests this winter. Hopefully we’ll have enough snow this year!

MY FAVOURITE APP

I’ve downloaded many apps like PeakFinder which is very useful when abroad. You can not be expected to know the name of every peak. I’ve downloaded many apps for flying as well like paragliding dashboard and a special app for variometer and windfinder for windsurfing. I’m always connected with my mobile.

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