Becoming a hiking guide

Once upon a time a young girl, with two strawberry blond braids and freckles on her cheeks, was skipping across a forest trail in Scuol (CH) in the height of summer. Bare legged, on sandals and carrying her small backpack, she was on her way to a picnic spot in the woods. Today was the picnic and barbecue day, together with all the other kids staying at the hotel. Looking up, she could see the snow-covered peaks of the Silvretta. Looking down, she could see and smell thousands of pine needles. A seemingly eternal smile graced her face.

Admission to the UIMLA International Mountain Leader Training

That moment forever shaped my dream of how I want to spend my life and it forms the vision I have been following for the past few years. Well, today I can make that young girl proud as I can announce to the world that I have been successfully admitted to the International Mountain Leader Training as part of the 2023 cohort.

Part of this 3.5 year programme at the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) are topics like Risk Assessment & Management, Outdoor Leadership, Snow & Avalanche Science, Meteorology, Geology, Ecology, Tour planning, First Aid, Teaching, Navigation and Group Dynamics.

Through exams and assignments in the Alps and beyond I will be working to earn the International Mountain Leader credential, which will eventually allow me to guide groups in mountainous terrain, up until terrain requiring the use of helmets, crampons or ropes. So just the easy stuff ;).

I am very happy to be pursuing this opportunity at age 26 and to learn from seasoned (and much older & wiser) guides and fellow cohort members. I am also grateful to be able to combine this dream with my other passion of leading the path to sustainability at Swapfiets. There’s just something about making others appreciate and care for their environment more ;).

I cannot wait to develop valuable offerings as a guide, exposing as many people as possible to the peaceful, yet thrilling mountain environment. Think: pushing yourself to your limits during the day, to then reflect and simply be present at night, whilst camping out on a ridge, seeing the moon rise and the sun set.

See you there in 2026!