Have trouble finding suitable partners for mountaineering trips? A new app called MYMCO (My Mountain Company) aims to make finding partners much easier, and is available now on iOS and Android.
How does it work? Well MYMCO connects people based on compatibility, shared skills and aspirations. What’s more, it’s free to use for now, while additional paid features will be available down the line,
MYMCO say they’ve done research that shows that 8 out of 10 people have experienced mismatched teams or faced dangerous situations because of their mountain partners, and they’ve developed the app to provide safer, more reliable connections. The business was co-founded by record-breaking mountaineer Adriana Brownlee and entrepreneur Äret Pea, and Pea says that the idea grew out of personal struggle.
“I come from one of the flattest countries in Europe, but my heart has always been in the mountains. What I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to find the right people to climb with. Not just anyone who’s free, but people who actually match you. I’ve experienced last-minute cancellations, mismatched teams, even solo trips I hadn’t planned on. And groups, social media? Half the time the replies started with ‘Hey beautiful…’ when all I wanted was a serious partner I could trust. Eventually I learned it wasn’t just me – this is a global problem.”
Mountaineer and MYMCO founder, Äret Pea
Adriana Brownlee, Co-Founder of MYMCO and the youngest woman to summit all 14×8000m peaks, adds:
“When Äret first told me about MYMCO, I felt excitement, passion, and something powerful. In mountaineering, the right partner or team can make or break an expedition, yet most of us are still relying on random Facebook posts, groups or trip boards. I knew straight away I wanted to be part of this and help reshape how our community connects. The first thing I said after our meeting in London was: ‘When do we start?’ And now, here we are, launching the app.”
MYMOCO athlete (and friend of Trek & Mountain), Jon Gupta
Jon Gupta, IFMGA Mountain Guide and MYMCO athlete, adds perspective:
“Climbing culture has shifted dramatically. What was once the dirtbag lifestyle has become mainstream, even trendy. Indoor gyms and bouldering walls have opened the sport to more people, but with that accessibility comes a challenge: confidence without the same depth of experience. Confidence and motivation can’t replace experience and skill, which is why trust and transparency matter more than ever.”
“Who I climb with is super important to me. When I think back on my best experiences in the mountains it’s always about who I shared it with, not necessarily what we did.”
MYMCO has initially launched with a mountaineering bias, but the company says that hiking, climbing, ski touring and other outdoor disciplines will soon be added.
More info at: www.mymcoapp.com