The conversation with Mauri DiMeo of Tactical Alpinism covers the challenges of transitioning from military service to civilian life, the process of certification for international mountain guides, the relationship with risk and passion in the mountains, and the experience of sharing mountain adventures with others. The conversation delves into the themes of pushing beyond limits, professional mountain guiding, the importance of consistency, preparation and mental toughness, and advice for veterans.

About Mauri DiMeo

Major Mauri DiMeo was an Infantry officer in the US Army who served also as an Assistant Professor of Military Science (APMS) and Operations Officer for the United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).

Major DiMeo commissioned as an Infantry officer in 2013 through the United States Military Academy at West Point. He attended Ranger, Airborne and the Austrian High Alpine school before reporting to his first duty assignment with the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) at Ft. Carson, CO. While at 4ID he served as an Infantry Platoon Leader and Rifle Company executive officer. His next duty assignment was with the 10th Mountain Division, Light Infantry (10MTN). While assigned to 10MTN he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support.

On return from Afghanistan he took Command of Bravo Company, 2-87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Ft. Drum New York. In 2021, Bravo Company was recognized as the top performing maneuver Company in the 2nd Brigade by being selected to represent 10MTN in the first international Winter Mountain Warfare Exercise that 10MTN participated in since the beginning of the War on Terror, Operation Southern Vanguard in 2021 (SV21) in Chile. In preparation for this exercise Major DiMeo was responsible for the resourcing, planning and execution of the training that the Company conducted prior to its deployment to Chile.

Outside of the military Major DiMeo founded Tactical Alpinism in 2022 with the mission to expand the capability of individuals to go bigger in the mountains by teaching mountain navigation and planning best practices. The purpose of enabling individuals to go bigger in the mountains is to expand the military’s capability in the mountain environment by focusing on expertise of the individual within mountain and arctic units.

He guides in the ski, alpine and rock disciplines on a part time basis for a company based in Northern California. His mountain experience includes two decades of climbing across much of the world and multiple ski based ascents/descents including Mount Shasta, Mount Rainier, and Denali all by multiple routes. His favorite places to climb are Vingsand, Norway, the Gunks, NY and the Alaska Range, AK. His civilian mountain certifications include AIARE Avalanche Professional Level 2, AIARE Avalanche Instructor, AMGA Assistant Ski Guide and AMGA Assistant Rock Guide.

Chapters

• 00:00 Transitioning to Civilian Life
• 07:45 Tactical Alpinism and Mountain Guiding
• 16:13 Risk and Passion in the Mountains
• 23:57 Sharing Mountain Experiences
• 35:02 Professional Mountain Guiding
• 42:44 The Importance of Consistency
• 49:02 Preparation and Mental Toughness
• 54:22 Advice for Veterans