From 1st steps to the height of ambition. Techniques, safety & expertise from qualified British Mountain Guides.

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1 From 1st steps to the height of ambition. Techniques, safety & expertise from qualified British Mountain Guides.

2 Guide Tim Blakemore, Mont Blanc. Photo Robin Jarvis. Who uses a Mountain Guide? Whether you are taking your first steps into the hills, or you are already an experienced climber, mountaineer or skier anyone can learn and benefit from the services of an internationally qualified Mountain Guide. Maybe you are keen to take your climbing wall skills outside to the crag, or you want to tackle multi-pitch routes. Perhaps you want to go iceclimbing in Scotland, or venture onto glacial terrain in the Alps. The choices are endless: climbing on warm rock anywhere around the world, adventurous first ascents in the greater ranges, skiing untracked powder far from the crowded pistes, trekking in the Himalaya... It is all out there waiting for us.

3 Why use a Mountain Guide? You may simply want to improve your skill levels and knowledge of mountainous environments. Or perhaps you want to seek out the most challenging sea cliffs in the UK, climb the highest Alpine peaks, or stand on the summit of Everest. Whatever your ambitions, a Mountain Guide can help you acquire the techniques and experience needed to make mountain adventures safer and more fun for you and for your companions. Who can call themselves a Mountain Guide? British Mountain Guides (BMG) is a member of the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA). This is the body that coordinates the standards and mutual recognition of the 26 national mountain guide associations. A British Mountain Guide is an IFMGA Guide, an internationally qualified guide with the knowledge and skills to lead parties in the world s most challenging mountain environments. Guide Owen Samuel, Milestone Buttress, N. Wales

4 1st ascent of Changuch, Himalaya. Photo Robin Jarvis What s in a name? IFMGA Mountain Guides are the most qualified and experienced professionals to lead people in the mountains, with a training and assessment that takes many years and exceptional skills to achieve. This qualification, recognised throughout the mountain world is your guarantee of the Guide s professional training and competence in all aspects of mountaineering and client care. Guides are not just leaders, they can also train you in any of the disciplines covered by their qualification. Only IFMGA guides are allowed to work in the high mountains and on glaciers in most Alpine countries. Most British Mountain Guides spend the season working in the Alps, many live there all year round and we all retain the flexibility to travel and find the routes that are right for you.

5 Alpinism Alpine mountaineering is at the heart of the Guide s profession. Whether it s glacial trekking, airy ridge traverses, long mountain rock routes or multi-day mixed climbs, this is the activity that epitomises the British Mountain Guides. British Rock Climbing We have a vast array of rock types in Britain from gritstone bouldering through to long multi-pitch routes of the Scottish and Welsh mountains. There are the sea cliffs of Cornwall, Pembroke and North Wales, slate quarries in Wales and the Lake District the list goes on. British Mountaineering Despite their relatively modest altitude, British mountains call for an adventurous nature and demand great respect with their rapidly changing conditions. With a strong ethic for keeping the mountains free of infrastructure, the British style of climbing is strongly defended and world renowned. Expeditions British Mountain Guides offer Worldwide guiding and expedition leading, whether it be an exploratory expedition in Greenland, off-piste ski-ing in remotest Russia, the ascent of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, or a commercial expedition to an 8000 metre peak such as Cho Oyu or Everest. Ice Climbing British Mountain Guides climb ice all over the world. Whether your goal is to enjoy this beautiful and exciting environment for the first time, climb steep ice under the watchful eye of an expert, or learn techniques to use independently, a British Mountain Guide can make your ice climbing experience even better. Rock Around the World If you want a skills refresher or to learn how to rescue an injured climber, or push your grade then we can coach, instruct and guide you to new levels that you may never have thought possible. Trekking British Mountain Guides lead treks all over the world, from short day trips in the UK to longer hut to hut trips in the Alps or adventures in the greater ranges.

6 Off Piste Skiing A Guide can manage the risks for you, avalanches and crevasses for instance, either guiding you through them or teach you to manage the risk yourself. In addition a Guide can coach you in off piste ski technique. Above all, the Guide can find you the best snow. Ski Touring Using bindings with a releasable heel and skins attached to our skis, we can ski in terrain which would otherwise only be accessible by helicopter. The rewards are stunning the satisfaction of the arrival at a summit and above all the making of fresh tracks in a wild mountain environment. Via Ferrata British Mountain Guides offer training and guiding in the selection and use of Via Ferrata equipment, we can show you the ropes on an easy Via Ferrata then move onto some of the steeper longer routes or just give you the necessary skills to explore and develop on your own. From your first steps in the mountains, to achieving the height of your ambitions, British Mountain Guides will enhance your safety and enjoyment in challenging, mountainous terrain. How to find a British Mountain Guide See the British Mountain Guides website to: Find information on the wide range of expert services offered by BMG members. Contact all members via an efficient inquiry form Browse our list of 200 members Use a simple search tool to identify guides who match your own specific requirements. Find out about the extensive experience, thorough training and assessment required to become qualified as a British Mountain Guide. Produced by Nigel Braggins Design Ltd. creative@nigelbraggins.co.uk Cover photo: Guide Mike Twid Turner, Cascade de Bonatchiesse, Swiss Alps