Mountain guides must be technically competent and experienced in the mountains, and also need to develop and foster a range of skills associated with client management, instruction, and group leadership. The Mountain Guide Training School provides training on all of these fronts.

Your course begins with a year of skills training modules, including field modules covering backpacking, skiing, outdoor leadership, wilderness first aid, mountaineering, risk management, rock climbing, instructor training, and alpine climbing. These skills are built upon each other, allowing you to gain confidence in more challenging terrain and more challenging situations as the Mountain Guide Training School continues.

But more than just technical training, the Mountain Guide Training School is the first of its kind to provide you with real life opportunities to teach, lead, and work with clients directly, throughout your training: The final year of the course is spent working as an apprentice instructor and guide. No other course (that we know of) allows you to gain actual work experience as part of your training.

Further, you will get to work in some of the most amazing places in the world. Your backpacking, skiing, and mountaineering courses will be run in Alaska or Patagonia, depending on the season, and your rock climbing course will be run on the north coast of Spain. Together, these are some of the most spectacular classrooms on Earth.

You further gain the tools necessary for success in the industry, with a series of seminars on things like teaching techniques, expedition planning, resume writing and other job skills, and formal risk management.

You will graduate with an electronic portfolio showing off who you are and what you’re capable of, ready to begin a life in the mountains.

Mountain Guide School Course Summary

The course begins with a 21 day backpacking trip, designed to introduce you to the basics of expedition life. It continues with a 21 day backcountry skiing course where you’ll learn the fundamentals of skiing, avalanche hazard evaluation and terrain management, and group management skills. You continue with a Wilderness First Responder course, the guide industry standard in wilderness medicine. Moving on, you’ll participate in a 42 day mountaineering expedition, focusing on glacier travel, snow and ice climbing skills, as well as continuing your ski and avalanche curriculum. After the mountaineering program, you’ll join a 42 day traditional rock climbing course where you look at climbing movement, traditional rock protection, and rescue skills. Finally, your first year concludes with a 60 day technical alpine course, combining the skiing, mountaineering, and rock climbing training that you’ve undertaken over the past 7 months.

Also during the first year of your course, you will participate in a series of short seminars dealing with topics like institutional risk management, education strategies, getting a job in the industry, and expedition planning.

The second year of the course is your opportunity to gain experience in the industry. It begins with a personally planned expedition: You and your course mates will plan and execute a 6 week mountaineering expedition to in Alaska or Patagonia, or you may choose to create your own expedition with friends.

Your apprenticeship continues with a 3+ month internship, allowing significant amounts of ‘face time’ with clients and conscious development of leadership and instruction skills. You’ll put to use the skills and leadership strategies learned over the previous year, and begin your professional development and resume building.

Your training concludes with a 120 day apprenticeship program, where you’ll work as an apprentice mountain guide to lead a series of mountaineering, skiing, backpacking, or rock climbing expeditions with us.

Armed with this well-rounded resume of skills and real life experience, you will be well placed to find employment in this dynamic and rewarding industry.

Mountain Guide School Module Detail

21 Day Backpacking Module

You’ll be picked up at 8:00 AM on the first day of your course and be whisked off to basecamp.  You’ll have your first opportunity to meet your instructors and fellow students.  The first few days are spent in basecamp reviewing program details, doing gear checks, going over maps, and packing rations for the backpacking section.  As soon as we’re ready, we’re off to the field for a 21 day backpacking expedition.  Your focus for this module will be to learn and practice foundational skills for the rest of the program.  This includes obvious topics like navigation, route planning, cooking and camping skills, river crossing techniques, and the like.  You’ll also begin to learn guiding techniques and skills such as communication skills, leadership theories and strategies, risk management processes, and client management techniques.  The final week of the module is self led (i.e., you’ll be trekking without instructor supervision), rotating through the role of “leader of the day,” so that you begin to work as a cohesive team.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Module

WFR is the guide level industry standard wilderness medicine certification.  In this module, you’ll learn and practice long term patient care in a remote setting.  This is very different than “city” medicine, because you are looking after patients for extended periods of time (hours to days), and this gives different challenges.  The course focuses on an understanding of how the human body works, and how to use that understanding to provide care.

Job Skills Seminar

This three day seminar will provide details about the WEA certification process, and will be a look ahead toward your internship and apprenticeship.  You’ll learn how to “log” your guiding experience, write a resume and cover letter, what you should ask when researching companies to work for, and take a look at the industry from a big picture perspective.

21 Day Ski Module

This course will introduce you to mountain travel on skis in a winter environment. Highlighted topics will include: equipment selection, use and care; skiing skills; skinning skills; basic ski tuning; route finding; navigation and route planning; leading a group up hill and downhill; ski rescue sleds; snow shelters, winter camping and more.

This course also includes a Level 1 Avalanche Course, as avalanches are one of our primary concerns for safety in the winter mountain environment.

You will spend your first week at a local ski area (somewhere with lifts), where the group will be divided into novice, intermediate, and advanced skiers, and you will focus on ski techniques appropriate for your skill level.  Evenings will be dedicated to working through the avalanche curriculum.

Your second and third week will be spent completing a backcountry ski traverse, while continuing to focus on avalanche skills, group management skills, winter camping skills, snow shelters, navigation, and leadership, risk management, and judgment skills development.

Expedition Planning Seminar

In this 3-4 day seminar, you’ll explore the intricacies of formal expedition planning.  Topics will include creation of a formal, written risk management plan, rations plan, emergency action plan, and development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and medical protocols.  You’ll also look at a myriad of resources available to you (weather, route, avalanche, etc.), to help you in your future planning.

42 Day Mountaineering Module

It’s time to hit the mountains.  Building on what you learned in previous modules, you’ll attempt a large glaciated ski traverse, climbing peaks along the way.  This course will focus on glacier travel skills, introduce climbing skills, anchor and protection skills, continue to improve ski, navigation, and winter camping skills, all while working towards higher level risk management, judgment, and leadership skills.

The course will include a week long “hard ice” section, where you’ll work on crampon and ice axe use, ice climbing skills, anchor building, and group management skills.  From there, you’ll move up into the snow covered glaciers, covering topics like roping up for glacier travel, glaciology, crevasse rescue, alpine camping, and extreme weather procedures.  As part of the traverse, you’ll have the opportunity to climb several peaks along the way, developing further your snow and ice climbing skills, protection and anchor building skills, as well as your ski ascent/descent skills.

3 Day Education Seminar

Up to this point, you will have taught several “informal” classes as part of your progression.  Here, it’s time to look at the nitty-gritty of teaching.  We’ll discuss lesson planning, various teaching and learning theories, and assessment strategies, all in an effort to help you develop comprehensive lesson plans and translate them into effective and engaging classes.

42 Day Rock Climbing Module

From out of the winter and mountains, you’ll find yourself 4 pitches up a wall in Northern Spain.  The rock climbing module will build on the technical climbing skills learned on the mountaineering program, as well as opening up new skills.  You’ll focus on movement skills, mental and physical training, rock protection, geology, and rescue skills.  On this course, you’ll work toward two goals:  Multi-pitch trad climbing and improvised technical rope rescue.

Unlike the other modules in the Mountain Guide Training School program, this course is mostly “car camping,” meaning that you’ll have access to a base, delicious food, and excellent Spanish culture.  More than any other module, this will offer the opportunity for cultural engagement and learning.

21 Day Ski Mountaineering Module

By the end of the rock climbing module, you will have developed into a technically competent climber, ready to go in snow, ice, or rock.  Now will be your opportunity to finish your ski progression and round out your skills.

There will be four components to this course. The first component is a Level II Avalanche Course, building on the knowledge gained over the past months.  The second will be a weeklong backcountry skiing trip. This trip is to refresh and advance the your backcountry skiing skills and avalanche awareness. The third component will be an

introduction to new ski mountaineering skills such as making anchors out of skis, skiing on rappel, skiing on belay, ski rescue sled raises and lowers, continuing crevasse rescue, and advanced transitions. The final component will be a group of student-led objectives appropriate for the group and conditions. Students at this time should be guiding the group to an apprentice guide standard.

42 Day Alpine Climbing Module

This final “instruction phase” course varies greatly by group, skill level, and condition.  It is meant to be an opportunity to consolidate skills, practice guiding techniques in a supervised environment, and finalize any curriculum points not yet covered or in need of reinforcement.  Past objectives have included big peaks such as San Lorenzo (the second tallest peak in Patagonia), technical alpine climbs like Cerro Castillo, or long traverses such as a traverse of the Chugach range in Alaska.

By this stage, you will have developed the skills and knowledge base necessary to build and submit your portfolio for review by the WEA for your Outdoor Leader certification.

Plan Your Own Expedition (PYOE)

What you do on the PYOE is entirely up to you and your group.  Past groups have attempted Denali/Mt. McKinley in Alaska, bolting multipitch climbs in Chile, or 6000m peak climbing in Peru.

Your goal will be to consolidate skills, gain personal experience, build your resume, and prepare yourself for your internship.

Internship

Internships are your first experience working as a guide in the industry.  We have a number of partner companies that we often work with.  However, we heartily encourage you to apply to any company you want, and will support you in this.  Your goal for the internship is two fold.  Primarily, you want to gain a foothold in the industry, hopefully with a company that you might want to work with long term.  Further, you will begin to develop your professional resume for the WEA and skills development for your apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship

The final phase of your training will see you working as an apprentice instructor with the Mountain Training School.  You will guide three expeditions with us, placed in any of our mountaineering, ski, or rock programs.  Placement will depend on availability, your skill level, and our need.

Further, you will continue your instructor training, participating in several short education seminars to help continue to improve your lesson planning and teaching ability.  Your final project will be the development of a curriculum plan for a particular skill.  This includes writing 6-10 different lessons, making instructional videos, and planning assessment and evaluation standards to carry out the program.

Throughout this phase, you will work closely with a mentor to explore your goals, short and long term, work through skills learning, and to foster your guiding and instructional skills.

By the time you graduate, you will have the work experience and skills knowledge to build and submit a portfolio to the WEA for consideration as a Level II WEA instructor and the mountaineering and rock climbing addendums.

Your adventure will have begun.

Challenge Yourself.]]> http://mountaineeringtrainingschool.com/mountain-guide-school/feed/ 1 http://mountaineeringtrainingschool.com/patagonia-mountaineering-school/ http://mountaineeringtrainingschool.com/patagonia-mountaineering-school/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:00:31 +0000 Benjamin Gorelick http://mountaineeringtrainingschool.com/?p=985 The Patagonia Mountaineering School is a unique and challenging mountaineering expedition. On the remote Patagonian Ice Cap, you will come to learn and understand what it takes to succeed in the mountains, pulling together many strands of knowledge and skills. To plan and execute a mountaineering expedition, a mountaineer needs to be prepared on many]]> The Patagonia Mountaineering School is a unique and challenging mountaineering expedition. On the remote Patagonian Ice Cap, you will come to learn and understand what it takes to succeed in the mountains, pulling together many strands of knowledge and skills. To plan and execute a mountaineering expedition, a mountaineer needs to be prepared on many different levels.

3:00 AM. The alarm buzzes in your ear, and you roll over, reaching up to the tent ceiling. The alarm stops. You sit up, turn on your headlamp, and pull on your jacket. Your tent mate, snoring only a moment earlier, squints in the light and groggily says, “So, you ready? The mountain’s waiting.” “I’m ready,” you reply. You unzip the tent door; the stars are shining.

The most obvious set of mountaineering skills are the technical ability and knowledge of how to climb and how to manage the inherent risks involved. A mountaineer needs to know how to set a belay, how to rope up to cross a snow covered glaciers, how to move in steep terrain.

4:15 AM. You call “On belay” and walk out of camp and start across the glacier. The mountain is just coming into focus now, the predawn sky starting to glow. You think to yourself “A 42 day mountaineering school on the Patagonian Ice Cap? I must be nuts!” Your family and friends certainly thought so... The snow crunches underfoot, and you change hands with your ice axe.

Underlying the technical mountaineering skills is the ability to make sound decisions in the mountains. Decision making is a skill that takes time and application to develop. Knowing how to set running pro or a fixed belay is important, but equally critical is knowing when to choose either system. Good judgment is a key proficiency to succeeding as a mountaineer.

7:30 AM. You pound a picket into the firm snow, make an anchor, stomp out a platform for yourself, and begin bringing your climbing partner up. Below you can see your tracks from earlier in the morning, out from the protection of camp, across the glacier, to the base of the mountain. The snow and ice steepen above. You smile.

The Patagonia Mountaineering School is designed so that aspiring mountaineers can spend an extended period of time in the mountains. You will have the opportunity to learn and apply varied technical mountaineering skills in an authentic context and with the supervision and support of experienced instructor guides. At the same time, you will work to develop your safety and judgement skills.

10:30 AM. Three pitches of snow and ice have brought you to the summit ridge, just an hour from the top. As you set another belay, you notice that the wind has shifted and picked up. As your rope mate climbs, you huddle deeper inside your belay jacket. “Jeez, it’s freezing up here,” you think to yourself, wishing she'd climb faster.

We take a step-by-step approach of teaching new skills in context, and building on previous knowledge. The day-to-day operation of the mountaineering school always brings up new things to learn, new decisions to make. New skills practiced become second nature. You become a proficient mountaineer.

10:45 AM. After what seems an eternity, your climbing partner pulls over the lip of ice. You scream over the wind, “What do you want to do? Up or Down?” She replies, “This is insane! I've never seen wind like this!” “But we’re so close!” “Um…” she dithers. “Ok,” she finally continues, “I’ll go if you go.” You take a moment to think. “Nah, let’s get out of here,” you reply. A wise decision.

An expedition with the Patagonia Mountaineering School is the ideal training ground, the ultimate challenge. You will acquire a depth of experience and breadth of knowledge to power and inspire further exploration and adventure.

4:45 PM. You stumble into camp, exhausted. The descent was difficult. You couldn’t reach the easy gully you’d planned on going down, so you had to rappel each pitch. Once below the hardest section, the descent still wasn’t easy. The mountain was a maelstrom of wind and snow, and the easy snow ramp from the morning felt much steeper now. You set several more rappels. By the time you were off the mountain, the storm was so bad you could barely see your hand in front of your face, much less find your tracks from the morning. Using a map, compass, and GPS, you managed to get back to camp. The storm rages on. And you still need to dig out your tent.

Challenge Yourself.

6:45 PM. “Knock Knock!” your instructor yells as she ducks inside, covered in freshly blown powder. “Nice tropical breeze, eh?” she quips. The tent groans in the wind. You discuss the day, the decisions you made, the techniques used. And what's for dinner. It’s hard to believe how far you’ve come in 33 days. And there are still 9 to go…

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The Mountaineering Training School offers limitless possibilities for your custom expedition. Our experienced staff are here to help you put together the trip of a lifetime. This form will help us get a good idea of what you'd like to do.

Costs for custom expeditions vary greatly, from less expensive trips with lots of camping to more expensive trips flying in to multiple locations and staying in hotels. We will get back to you with a proposed itinerary and estimate price as soon as possible. On this form we have tried to give you some idea of the relative costs of activities. $ means the activity is relativly less expensive while $$$ means the activity is more expensive.

For some inspiration and to have an idea of what we've done in the past and costs, please check out the expeditions below.

To request a custom expedition quote, please fill in our Custom Expedition Request Form >>

Katie and John's Christmas Adventure

7 days, 7 nights

Some people just have that adventurous spirit that prevents them from, say, soaking up the sun in Hawaii, and instead propels them to far off places at short notice to take on whatever is thrown at them. John and Katie from California, who did a custom trip with us over Christmas, squarely belong in that category.

They wanted a trip that would combine, adventure, excitement, and high challenge, mixed in with a little luxury and some experience of the local culture.

We began our trip with a trip down the Carretera Austral to Puerto Guadal, where we spent the night at the charming Terra Luna Lodge on the shores of Lago General Carrera. The next morning saw us packing gear, fitting boots and then heading off in a Jet Boat across the lake, destined for the Leones Glacier. The ride in over the lake and up the Leones River in the Jet boat, then a zodiac over Lago Leones was a blast.

Our initial plan was to summit Cerro Mocho above Lago Leones and with this in mind we made our second camp just below the peak. We spent a gorgeous Christmas Day learing snow skills, with panoramic views of the Ice Cap, followed by special Christmas Pizza for dinner.

The following day it became clear early on that the weather wasn't going to give us the break we needed to complete our initial plan. Instead of pushing up higher which would have put us in the teeth of the storm we stayed at our lower camp and had a very restful 'duff day'. The following day we ventured out in the wind and snow to make a real glacial crossing using the skills we had leant a couple of days ago. We also found a great wall for ice climbing. Next day we descended to Lago Leones with several inches of new snow on the ground and took the zodiac across the lake ready for the jet boat ride back to Terra Luna the following day.

At Terra Luna we left John and Katie to enjoy another night there with the jacuzzi and good food and wine. They spent the next few days driving the Carratera Austral down to Caletal Tortel a small isolated village perched between the Northern and Southern Ice Cap. There they spent a very ecletic New Year with an international cast of characters. Thanks for the adventure!

$1995 per person

Taryn and Karl's Daughter/Father Holiday

10 days, 9 nights

Taryn brought her father to Patagonia as a very special 40th birthday present. Their time included a 3 day trek around Cerro Castillo (Castle Mountain), a 4 day sea kayaking trip to Laguna San Rafael, and two days ice climbing on the Exploradores Glacier.
"I'm absolutely blown away by the stunning beauty of the place. Thank you The Mountaineering Training School for a wonderful birthday celebration."
-Karl M.

$2795 per Person

Meet Some of Your Instructors

Please note that instructors vary by course and module.  However, these fine folks have been teaching for us for years, and teach 2-4 courses per year.  You can expect to work with most of them along the way.

Mountaineering/Alpine Climbing Instructors

Merrie Beth (MB) Board

MB, from Golden, BC, Canada, has an incredible depth of experience; she will be one of a handful of women to become a full IFMGA certified Mountain Guide later this year and currently holds ACMG Ski Guide and Assistant Alpine Guide certifications.

Her love affair with Patagonia started many years ago on a personal trip to cross the Northern Ice Cap. That expedition was foiled by the weather, but she kept coming back and was rewarded with a perfect traverse this season.  She embodies so many qualities you would want in your instructor: strong, solid technical and teaching skills, and an infectious enthusiasm no matter how tough the going is.

Cecelia Mortenson

Cece, an ACMG certified assistant alpine and rock guide, has guided and climbed on 6 continents, including work as the head field mountaineer for the US Antarctic program.  She has lead expedition glacier traverses for MTS in Alaska and Patagonia, and has climbed extensively in Canada, the USA, and Nepal.

Her passion for the mountains, guiding, and instructing is infectious.  She is an amazing instructor and we’re privileged to count her among our staff.

Jaya Marr

Jaya is the founding Director of the Mountain Training School and is among the most experienced Patagonian guides. She has lead 10 traverses of the Patagonian Ice Cap and counts innumerable peak ascents to her credit along with an unmatched wealth of experience and knowledge about the Northern Ice Cap.

Her inspiration comes from working with students and seeing them progress, learn, and surprise themselves with what they are capable of. “The harsh conditions of the Ice Cap bring out the best in people and allow them to see themselves in a way that never happens in town. I never get tired of that.”

Dennis Haskell

Dennis is originally from New Zealand and began his guiding career on the Fox Glacier. From there he has been guiding and ski patrolling in Canada, Alaska and Patagonia. He is a qualified NOLS mountaineering instructor, while continuing to work through the NZMGA qualification system. Students who have been on an expedition with Dennis invariably rave about his super calm approach to life in the mountains and his natural ability to help students to learn the many technical and leadership skills contained within the expedition.

Benjamin Gorelick

Benjamin is the expedition director for the Mountain Training School and has climbed and guided on 5 continents, including in Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Mongolia, Thailand, New Zealand, the continental USA, and Alaska.  He cut his teeth in the Chugach Mountains of Alaska, and after spending the first years of his career working around the world, he moved to Patagonia in 2005.  To date, he has lead 14 traverses of the Patagonian Ice Cap.

Ben is passionate about instructing, challenging students, and helping to train the next generation of mountain guides.

Rock Climbing Instructors

Alfredo Iglesias Gago

Alfredo is originally from the big city of Madrid, Spain. However, after 15 years of living in the paradise that is the Picos de Europa, that is where is heart is. He trained at the Escuela Espanola de Alta Montana (The Mountaineering School of Spain) and is an AEGM certified Rock Guide.

For the past 3 years he has running his own business, Guiatrek, based in Potes in the heart of the Picos.  He has an intimate knowledge of the many treasures to be found in this little known exceptional climbing area. Working with Alfredo, you can’t help but be inspired by this place and start falling in love with it yourself.

Thomas Exner

Originally from Germany, Thomas Exner is a full IFMGA guide who has been climbing and skiing for as long as he’s been able to stand.  He has guided extensively in Europe, and moved to Canada in 2005 to pursue a PhD in Avalanche Science.

Thomas’ calm demeanor and thorough teaching style make him an equally excellent instructor.

Brian Martens

A native of Boulder, Co, Brian has been addicted to the mountains since before he can remember. He has 15 years of climbing expertise from more than 20 countries on 6 continents.  He has professionally guided in the USA, Peru, and Chile.  And as a long time musical enthusiast, is trying to learn to play every instrument possible. Up next: Bagpipes on El Capitan.

Lyra Pierotti

Lyra has a varied background with climbing and guiding experience in Yosemite Valley, the Sierra Neva, Mexican volcanoes, and Mt Shasta. She is known for her great enthusiasm and her commitment to providing her students with quality instruction and an all-encompassing positive experience.

Ski Instructors

Nancy Pfeiffer

Nancy began her snow experience when she started skiing at just 2 years old. Her outdoor career took a turn when she participated in her first avalanche course while in her teens, and has now spent more than 30 years as a mountaineering and skiing instructor all over the world, including Alaska, Patagonia, New Zealand, and Antarctica.   Apart from her mountaineering expertise, Nancy is an expert horsewoman, having traversed much of Chilean Patagonia with her horses, Arquen and Pia.  She is also an aspiring author, publishing a book on the cultural history of Patagonia and the impact of modern developments on the gaucho culture this fall.

Leighan Falley

Leighan Falley, a lifelong Alaskan, has been playing in the snow since she was tiny.  She has held an AIARE Level III avalanche certificate since 2006, and is also an AIARE level 1 instructor. Her winters are filled with avalanche instruction and long guiding epics with us at the Mountain Training School.  Summer finds her once again in the snow, where she is a lead guide on Denali.  Known for spending the entire summer in the Alaska Range, she has been able to visit such mountain temples as the Kichatna Spires, the Eyetooth, Mt. Hunter, and more.  In 2008 she was fortunate enough to carry her skis to the summit of North America. She is also a mountain artist, a pilot, and an avid rock climber.

Mike Mariash

Mike is an ACMG qualified assistant Ski Guide who makes his home in Revelstoke, BC.  He has ski guided for 6 years in Canada, Chile, and Argentina.  He is calm and patient, but strives to challenge his students and get everything he can out of them.]]> http://mountaineeringtrainingschool.com/meet-your-instructors/feed/ 0 http://mountaineeringtrainingschool.com/testimonials/ http://mountaineeringtrainingschool.com/testimonials/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:00:28 +0000 Benjamin Gorelick http://mountaineeringtrainingschool.com/?p=1189 Listen to What Past Clients Have to Say about the Mountaineering Training School "I was blown away, not only by their teaching methods, but by their whole outlook on expedition life... I highly recommend the Patagonia Mountaineering School." -Scoob M., 35, England   "The days were challenging, but the rewards were simply amazing. It was]]>

Listen to What Past Clients Have to Say about the Mountaineering Training School

"I was blown away, not only by their teaching methods, but by their whole outlook on expedition life... I highly recommend the Patagonia Mountaineering School."

-Scoob M., 35, England

"The days were challenging, but the rewards were simply amazing. It was great learning so much and putting it into practice. I would definitely recommend the trip to anyone who wants a challenging and incredible experience. "

-Victoria C., 22, England

"This was one of the best things I've ever done. The guides were always professional, patient, and had a great sense of humor. Do it!"

-Alexa V., 31, England

"We did the most amazing things, in the most amazing places... Absolutely fantastic."

-Ian B., 41, England

"I had the time of my life. It's worth every bit of energy you put into it. Phenomenal."

-Evans L., 22, USA

"Everyone came back blown away. We're privledged to work with the Mountaineering Training School"

-Ed S., Patagonia Director, Global Vision International

"We enjoyed a great range of things, from throwing yourself down a snow slope to practice self arrest to rapelling in a crevasse bathed in blue light. An incredible experience."

-Pete C., 38, England

"My favorite memory, apart from the glaciers, the mountains, the lakes, and the condors, had to be cooking dinner in the dark, singing Lionel Richie songs. Fantastic. Thanks very much."

-Dave M., 21, England

"I loved the challenge, both physical and mental. Jaya (the guide) will be my lifelong hero. You must go on this trip!"

-Mel N., 27, England

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much experience do I need?
• How fit do I need to be?
• How hard will the trip be?
• What is your Male/Female ratio?
• Do I need insurance?
• Are there any other costs?
• Do I need a visa for Chile? Are any vaccinations required?
• How much money should I bring?

How much experience do I need?

Please note more extensive information can be found in the Course Details downloads.

 42 day Mountaineering Schools in Patagonia and Alaska.

In order to enjoy and get the most out of these courses you should have a good background in camping and hiking. Some previous mountaineering experience is helpful but not compulsory.

42 Day Rock Climbing Course

You should have some previous experience with rock climbing,  preferably have done some lead climbing. This is an instructional course so we certainly don't expect you to be an accomplished climber. The goal is for you to have done enough climbing to know that you are ready to commit to six weeks of intensive climbing and coaching.

Mountain Guide School

While we don't expect our incoming trainees to be world class mountaineers, we do expect that you will have spent a reasonable amount of time in the backcountry, doing backpacking, trekking, and climbing. If you've decided to be a mountain guide, you should at least know what it's like to spend time in the mountains. If you're not sure, go on a few trips before you sign up.

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How fit do I need to be?

Your level of fitness will have a direct impact on your (and the group’s) happiness.  Our expeditions are incredibly strenuous, among the most difficult on the market.
Our recommendation is to begin a regular exercise program now (if you haven't already). The more used to exercise you are, the more your body is able to recover, allowing you to enjoy the expedition. What you do isn't really important. Go run or swim or cycle or do whatever you enjoy doing. If you arrive in good shape (and are mentally prepared to still be a bit sore) you’ll be fine.

Please refer to our Fitness and Nutrition Page for more information.

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How hard will the trip be?

The courses will be hard on different levels.  Absolutely, the course will be hard physically.  We often have long days, lots of elevation gain or loss, all while carrying a heavy backpack.  Some days will be hard mentally, walking over difficult terrain or learning new skills.  Some days will be hard emotionally; maybe you’re just having a bad day or we’re doing something that you find challenging personally.

The good news is that often the days that are hard, for whatever reason, end up being your most memorable moments and certainly your best trip stories.  And they are balanced out by the days when we reach a summit, with the world at your feet.  Those are the magic moments.

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What is your Male/Female ratio?

While this varies from year to year, our expeditions are generally made up of about half women and half men.

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Do I need insurance?

The course fee does NOT provide medical or travel insurance.  All expedition members are required to have medical insurance that covers field evacuations.  Many medical insurance plans do not cover mountaineering, so be sure to purchase a policy that does.  Your local mountaineering club often provides wonderful insurance at an a reasonable price. Please contact us for more information about insurance policies that will cover you.

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance as well to cover eventualities with gear or trip interruptions.

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Are there any other costs?

While in the field, all your transportation, food and accommodation is paid for. You are responsible for accommodation and food before and after the course or between course sections..  Any extras, such as film or souvenirs, are at your own expense.  See our Contract >>page to learn exactly what is and isn’t included in the trip.

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Do I need a visa for Chile?  Are any vaccinations required?

Please contact your local Chilean Embassy or Consulate for information regarding visas and vaccinations.

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How much money should I bring?

Chilean Pesos are often difficult to get while in your home country.  Luckily, both Santiago and Coyhaique have readily available money exchanges (Casas de Cambio) where most major currencies can be exchanged.  There are also ATMs at the Santiago airport (but not at Balmaceda Airport) , at many banks, and in most supermarkets.  You usually get a better exchange rate with cards than you do at the money exchanges, so you may want to consider bringing a bit of cash from home and cash card to use when you arrive.

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-The Mountain Training School Team