What is an IFMGA High Mountain Guide // DAVE SEARLE

In this video I delve into what is the IFMGA, how do you become an IFMGA mountain guide, and what is the BMG (British association of Mountain Guides)

I share my experience of doing the scheme and talk through what you need to do to be able to start the training course.

NB: Rights to work in certain countries and registration is a complex and evolving subject, my views and experience is not necessarily the whole picture.

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#Mountains #MountainGuide #IFMGA #britishmountainguides #techtips #skimountaineering #backcountryskiing #ropework #climbing #mountaineering #ski

[MC-tmuy]

IFMGA is the creme de la creme of the guiding world. They are the experts of experts. Mad respect to you for having that certification

[tomdhanji]

Congrats on the IFMGA qualification, big respect! Booked a course at Glenmore Lodge later this winter for my first foray into backcountry skiing, very excited! Hope to experience the legendary skiing in Chamonix in the coming years so will definitely keep you in mind for a guide. All the best for the upcoming winter, hope you have a good season with lots of great skiing and mountain experiences!

[tomgreene]

This is one whale of a qualification which has not been contaminated by grade dilution....well done !

[cjohns]

Love it Dave. You're definitely on my short list for a guide for a Cham ski or climbing trip in 2023. Can't wait.

[stuartmcdonald]

Wow, certainly opened my eyes to just how difficult a qualification it is to get, respect to anyone who achieves it. Keep the instructional videos coming, I'm learning new stuff from you all the time.

[ozsnowbum]

Respect to all you guys. I've paid to be guided many times all around the world and the British guides I've used have been the most professional.

[FaithandActiondotnet]

Wow, that really is quite an accomplishment! I guess I should be in good hands if I can get over there & hire a guide.

[CarterCreativeContent]

Wish I discovered climbing and mountaineering when I was younger instead of at 42... Id of done this 🤷🏻‍♂️ What a fantastic way to earn a living!!

[paulcorey]

Thanks for the great videos So starting at 58 years old, getting the IFMGA is probably not going to happen in this lifetime. Never did mountaineering but ski raced and a ski racing coach and ski instructor all my life. Would love to get into ski mountaineering.

[leokafka]

Dave is an excellent guide!! Highly recommend booking some time with him if you're in the area!

[creatamax]

Great video, looked at the website before for the syllabus for what it takes and was blown away. Fair plays for the hard work getting it Dave a lot of effort well spent. Cheers!

[AlphaToEpsilon]

The requirements of this are of a ridiculously high standard. Probably the most qualified people ever. This seems like more experience and training than any pilot, doctor, lawyer requires to qualify in their areas.

[JonWilliams]

Really good insights, great vid Dave!

[PatrickWoerner]

Wow thanks for the insight. Didn't know that theres such a high Standard to be a mountain guide. Thats cool to know :)

[mountainarena]

Great video Dave and tremendous achievement. I really like your ski touring/ski mountaineering videos and was just wondering if you had any plans to do a video around the transition from a "resort/piste" skiier to a ski tourer? Would love to see that. Thanks and keep up the good work

[masonkirkby]

Hi Dave amazing to hear your experience i was wondering if the multi pitch climbing is trad or sport ? Thanks mason

[StokeallovermyTrent]

Hi Dave, informative video, thanks for this! I have a question i can't quite seem to get clarification on though; under "rock:" the pre-requisites specify "a minimum of 15 routes with a vertical height gain of at least 300 metres (or at least 15 pitches), of minimum difficulty 5c  (VI / UIAA). The routes have to be belayed by oneself and should therefore not be equipped with bolts".

This is in addition to what is listed as "Technical" which states "multi-pitch rock routes, grade 6a (VI+) minimum" - of which there is no min/max quantity of climbs specified. My question is this; are the 5c rock climbs just a way if ensuring you have plenty of experience rock climbing proficiently and is there a typical number that the organisation would accept at grade 6a+?

[ogee]

Thanks for this amazing video with great info ! When did you start « gaining mountain experience » ? Im currently 17, and envisioning high mountain guiding as a possible career path, however all the experience I have in the mountains is skiing. Is it too late to get into more serious climbing in order to gain the experience necessary ?

[skeadz]

Hi, Iam 20 year old with no experience is it possible for me to make it and become IFMGA certified ?

[tustak]

How do I prove my achievements/ascents?
Can I mix ascent done in different countries?