Matthew Durrant is from Preston, Idaho and grew up hiking and camping with his dad. His interest in climbing mountains began in earnest as a Boy Scout while on a trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico in 2000. There he had the opportunity to climb his first really big peak, Baldy Mountain (12,441 feet). Since then he has climbed extensively in Idaho, Utah and surrounding states. He has climbed the Idaho 12ers and while he is not one for constantly confining himself to strict lists, he does occasionally enjoy ticking one off now and then. Currently he is working on ultra-prominence peaks, but his passion is simply to get outdoors and fill in the blank spots on his mental map especially if those blank spots are in Idaho. However, if he was forced to choose only one range to ever climb in again it would have to be the amazing Pioneer Mountains near Ketchum.

When he is not out bagging peaks (or focusing on his studies in grad school), Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and actively volunteers as a Scoutmaster and Leave No Trace Master Educator. In this capacity, he has been able to help the next generation have the chance to climb mountains and learn to love and respect the outdoors.