International Mountain Leader

Do you want to go into the mountains, but for real? Far off the beaten path, where the air gets thinner and nature sets the rules? Then you want to set off with an International Mountain Leader. This is the global gold standard for guides who guide groups safely and spiritedly through mountainous terrain. An IML guide is not just another hiker with experience; he or she is a professional idiot who has endured a leaden, three-year training program to make the mountains his or her office.

What is an International Mountain Leader?

An International Mountain Leader (IML) masters the art of navigation and survival in all seasons. Whether trekking through a blooming alpine meadow or slogging through a white no-man’s land on snowshoes, the IML guide reads the terrain like an open book. From advanced meteorology to complex navigation with map and compass (even when the fog swallows everything up) and from avalanche science to first aid in remote areas. It is the international step on top of the Mountain Leader (ML); where the ML is the undisputed expert in summer conditions and technical rocky terrain, the IML brings that same expertise to winter conditions and international expeditions. It is back-to-basics expertise, but with the sharpest modern safety standards.

Why Re-wild chooses International Mountain Leaders

At Re-wild, our mission is simple: we want you to experience the raw power of nature, without worrying about preconditions. To deliver on that promise, we set the bar extremely high for our guides. We consciously choose to work with International Mountain Leaders because their expertise fits seamlessly with our philosophy.

We believe that you can only truly “re-wild” when the basics are unshakable. Years of training by an IML guide allow us to offer trips that go deeper into the wilderness and stay off the beaten path for longer. For Re-wild, this certification is more than a stamp of quality; it is the foundation upon which we build our most challenging mountain adventures. So you know you can rely on the highest level of craftsmanship in the outdoor world every step of the way.

Why this certificate will make a difference for you

Mountains are beautiful, but they are also unpredictable. A guide with these papers takes the worries out of your backpack, so you can fully surrender to the experience.

• Four Seasons Expertise: Whether trekking through a blooming alpine meadow or plodding on snowshoes through a white no-man’s land, the IML Guide has mastered the art of the outdoors in all seasons.
• Boundless Safety: Whether we’re in the Scottish Highlands or crossing the Pyrenees, your guide anticipates danger before it arises. Advanced navigation, risk management and Wilderness First Aid are in their DNA.
• Deep Nature Experience: An IML guide teaches you to read the language of the landscape. You don’t just walk along the rocks, you learn about the geology, flora and hidden stories of the area.

What does a guide learn during IML training?

To wear the prestigious UIMLA badge, a guide must demonstrate that he or she is a master craftsman. The program is a three-year crash course in craftsmanship:

1. Navigation: Finding your way flawlessly with map, compass and altimeter, even when fog swallows everything or the GPS fails.
2. Meteorology: Reading the sky and clouds to predict weather changes in the mountains before the first drop falls.
3. Winter Skills: All about snow layers, avalanche safety and building an emergency shelter in the snow.
4. Group Dynamics: Leading groups in challenging circumstances, focusing on self-reliance and trust.

Meet our International Mountain Leaders

At Re-wild, we are proud of our guides. They combine their passion for re-wilding with the highest professional standards. These guides have earned the badge and are ready to take you into the wilderness:

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