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Greg Witt, adventure guide and author, lives the adventures he writes about. His explorations have taken him to every corner of the globe. He has led mountaineering expeditions in the Alps and Andes and paddled wild rivers in the Americas. He has dropped teams into golden slot canyons, trudged through deep jungles in Africa, Central America, and Asia, and guided archaeological expeditions across the parched Arabian Peninsula. He lives most of the year in the Swiss Alps, near the border of France and Italy. He is as at home on the Haute Route as he is hiking in the Jungfrau, or eating apple strudel in Zermatt. Some weeks, Greg hikes more miles than he drives, which means he wears out his boots faster than he wears out tires. He has crossed the Grand Canyon on foot more than a dozen times, climbed Colorado's three highest peaks in three days, and while guiding in the Alps in a typical summer hikes over 700 miles, gaining nearly 100,000 vertical feet-the equivalent of climbing Everest nine times. In the summer of 2017 he hiked and guided on all four of the great Alps Treks—the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route, the Bernese Oberland Traverse, and the Eiger to Matterhorn trek.
He is a Wilderness First Responder, a Fellow with the Royal Geographical Society, and a Certified Switzerland Specialist. His passion for the Alps always focuses on sharing the experience with others through guiding, and his engaging writing and presentation style. Alpenwild's roots go back to the summer of 1970, when Greg first visited and fell in love with the Swiss Alps as a teenager backpacking through Europe. As an avid world traveler with a hunger for adventure travel and off-the-beaten path corners of the world, he returned to the Alps many times. In 1986, he started the travel company which enabled him to share his love of the Alps with Europe-bound travelers. Greg is the author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Salt Lake City and Off the Tourist Trail (US Editor) and Ultimate Adventures: A Rough Guide to Adventure Travel. His featured releases for 2010 included Exploring Havasupai: A Guide to the Heart of the Grand Canyon (winner of the National Outdoor Book Award) and Best Easy Day Hikes: Salt Lake City. He is the author of Alpenwild's Best Hikes in the Swiss Alps (2012). His 2014 release is 50 Best Short Hikes in Utah's National Parks. His popular video series, Haute Route Essentials, has earned him the title "Mr. Haute Route."
During the summer of 2010 he became the first North American to receive the Alpsteinpass award for his expertise in hiking and guiding in Appenzell's Alpstein range. He was the 2015 recipient of the Goldflower Award from Switzerland Tourism in recognition for Alpenwild's high standards in its Switzerland tours.
"Greg is very intuitive in planning and maximizing our time based on weather, energy level and scenery. It’s clear that he’s thought hard about what works and what doesn’t work. We had an amazing experience." – S.H., Indiana
"Greg’s knowledge and love for Switzerland just enhanced every aspect of the tour. He’s extremely flexible, and is able to adapt each day’s activities to our needs, and the weather." – S.M., Alaska
For Martin, alpine sports are a family matter. Raised in the French alps, he started mountaineering and skiing with his father at the age of four and has not stopped since. Following his studies in engineering, he decided to explore the Canadian wilderness for 6 months. He came back with a fresh mind and diplomas in wildlife conservation, mountain leading, and first aid. He's now living his dream, being part of the ski patrol in the winter and an alpine guide in the summer.
Martin is passionate and loves sharing his experience and knowledge about nature, geology, his first alpine adventures, and more!
Ella grew up on a small cow farm with 13 cows in the Swiss Alps. She spent the summers milking the cows in a small alpine hut and exploring the nearby mountains. After a 10-year career as a professional World Cup ski racer for the Swiss Ski Team, she became a ski and Telemark instructor and UIMLA mountain leader. She studied Outdoor Sports Management and loves to be guiding in the mountains. She spends four month each year in Patagonia, teaching ski courses to future mountain guides and guests from all over the world.
In November and December Ella guides bike and trekking tours through the wild Patagonia and is back to Chamonix for the winter season. Chamonix is her European home base. In her free time there, she loves to climb and ski with her boyfriend, an Argentine mountain guide. You'll love meeting Ella on Alpenwild's Tour du Mont Blanc and on the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route.
"Ella is exceptional! She was highly professional, personable, funny, informative, organized, and always did everything to ensure the safety and comfort of every client; we would trek with her again anywhere." – R.C., Virginia
Growing up in Shrewsbury, UK, Charlie was surrounded by the rolling Shropshire Hills, which was the perfect setting for a childhood of mountain biking, orienteering and enjoyment of the great outdoors. His growing love for the mountains continued in Snowdonia; trekking, wild camping and climbing with his friends in the best and worst of British weather. He then had his first taste of alpine climbing in Switzerland, where experiencing the more demanding mountain conditions of the alpine environment he has since strived to develop the techniques for safe travel through the mountains.
Graduating from the University of Sheffield in 2014 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Charlie has since spent his time between the Italian Dolomites, French and Austrian Alps. During these years he has guided treks and road cycle rides in the summer, lead ski days and snowshoe walks in the winter, while training to qualify as an International Mountain Leader. His favorite past time is ski mountaineering; combining the exercise and climbing skills on the way up with the enjoyment and thrill of the ski down. With a great interest in alpine flora and fauna, geography and geology, Charlie is keen to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with others.
Cam grew up in the largely flat lands of the south of England but has had a passion for being in the mountains from a young age. He first went to the Alps on a skiing holiday at the age of ten, and the excitement and wonder he felt exploring them then has not changed with time. Upon graduating in 2014 with a degree in Physics, Cam decided to head back to the mountains, and has since spent his years taking friends and clients on walks, snowshoes, ski tours and climbs in various European mountain regions: among them the Italian Dolomites, the French and Austrian Alps, North Wales, the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa. More recently, Cam has based himself in Chamonix, which he thinks is one of the greatest playgrounds ever!
Although his main interests are skiing in winter, and alpine climbing in summer, Cam is always happy to be outside in the mountains, and is equally contented spotting flowers, learning the culture and history of a new area, or sampling the local cheeses as he is clinging to something steep and scary! He is delighted to be working with Alpenwild to help share the majesty of the alps with you, whether it's your first time here, or you've been visiting for years.
Diccon grew up in deepest Hampshire. A degree in International Relations and an 18-month world trip set him up for a career in travel writing, though he took the scenic route via bookselling. After ten years at Lonely Planet and Holiday Which? magazine, he decamped to Switzerland, where he's lived for the past 14 years.
As well as grappling with German grammar, re-learning to cross the road properly, and overcoming his innate desire to form an orderly queue, he spent his time here exploring the bits of Switzerland he’d never heard of before and eating lots of chocolate.
He is now a full-time author, and has written five books about Switzerland including the bestseller Swiss Watching. Aside from that, he's also a tour guide, permanent expat, enjoys showing people the Switzerland that he loves, and helping visitors discover what makes the country and its people so special.
Erica spends most of her time trekking throughout the world and working for humanitarian and development organizations. With a Master’s Degree in International Organization, she is an expert in project management, needs assessment, and operations coordination for international humanitarian field missions—so meeting the needs of a few hikers in the Alps is a snap for Erica. In France, when she is not enjoying her time in the nature around her home village of Saint-Bon located in the French Alps, Erica loves sharing her knowledge and love of the mountains with anyone who will listen. She’s passionate about ski-touring, paragliding, and hiking. Erica is currently training to become a certified French trekking guide. She loves helping Alpenwild guests discover the richness of the Alpine landscapes, the history, and local cuisine.
"A beautiful journey, and a very positive trip thanks to Erica—a very competent guide. Always ready to help and very organized. I have only one desire, traveling with Erica again for new discoveries." – R.A., Nice, France
"We cannot thank you enough for helping us make a dream come true along the Haute Route. More importantly, your steadfast positive energy and passion for the world resonated with us". M.B.
"Thank you for an incredible adventure. You are an amazingly gifted guide and a lovely person." K.C.
"Thank you so much for introducing us to the many splendours of the Haute Route. Your presence, your guiding, your philosophies, and your beautiful spirit made our journey special and complete. We hope to share more adventures with you!" R.P.
Danny and Katy met in Switzerland after having both worked and lived in Bern for over 5 years. Living in Bern gave them unique opportunities to explore and play practically every weekend in the nearby Berner Oberland, home to the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch. Now married, they continue to be avid hikers, returning to Switzerland as trip leaders to share their love of the Alps, and personal insights into Switzerland, its culture and people. Danny, a native of Washington has climbed Mt. Rainer, Mt Baker, and several 4,000 meter peaks in Switzerland. He has also completed the Jungfrau Marathon, a solo trek of the Haute Route, and speaks fluent German.
Catalina, a native of Spain has hiked the Camino de Santiago, and along with Danny the Europa Way, Tour de Monte Rosa, and numerous other hikes in Switzerland. Katy speaks fluent Spanish and French. Both Danny and Katy enjoy downhill skiing, cross country skiing, mountain biking and sailing during their free time. Together, Danny and Katy bring a wealth of insight into the rich culture of Switzerland, and along with their language ability and experience living and working in Switzerland, offer a unique opportunity to explore the intimate treasures of the Swiss Alps.
"Danny's leadership, trail expertise, and ability to read the group and adjust was just amazing." - T.L., Washington
"I really appreciated how Danny was able to accommodate the different skill and endurance levels in our group so that each of us were truly able to enjoy our trip." - T.D., Washington
Tom is a Northern Wales native. He is very keen on rock climbing and kayking, which means he spends a lot of his time in the British mountains, sea cliffs and winding rivers. Having grown up in Snowdonia national park, he has always had a passion for the mountains. Starting his journey in Northern Wales, it's his love of the outdoors that has lead him to work all over the world including India, Nepal, Vietnam, Peru, Norway and many other countries. Tom has a masters in sports therapy and has worked for rugby and football clubs, however, he has decided that the mountains and outdoors are where he would like to work.
As Tom embarks on a new adventure, he's eager to experience new cultures, food, and languages; while also sharing his own personal experiences along the way. Tom is an British Winter Mountain Leader and is working towards his International Mountain Leader qualification and hopes to complete it by the start of 2020.
Léo was raised in Chamonix, at the heart of the Mont Blanc range. He learned to walk and ski at the same time and is passionate about nature, sports and music. Léo practices a lot of different sports such as skiing, telemarking, mountain biking and trail running. He used to compete in cross country skiing and biathlon and soon afterward, decided to become an instructor to share his passions.
During the summer season, he guides people on the most wonderful trails in the Alps and is currently qualifying to be an international mountain leader. Between the summer and winter seasons, Léo travels all around the world meeting people and exploring new cultures. Most recently, he explored new settings in some of the most beautiful places in Europe, Vietnam, the United States and Canada.
Originally from Great Britain, but now at home in Switzerland for 30 years, Sarah loves to share her passion for the Swiss mountains. Having completed a rigorous training with the Swiss Mountain Guides Association, this qualified leader is in the mountains every weekend, organizing and guiding hikes for clients, friends and groups from the Swiss Alpine Club. Sarah speaks English, French, German as well as a reasonable amount of Schwyzertüütsch and Italian and has many years experience of seeking out the most inspiring Swiss hiking routes, especially in her favourite cantons, the Grisons and the Valais. She's a guide in the Bernese Oberland and on the Haute Route.
Sarah loves guiding groups, getting to know people from all over the world, and sharing her infectious enthusiasm for the alpine environment , its stunning views of snow-covered peaks, lakes, glaciers and alpine meadows (and the local produce, cheeses and wines!). You’ll also find her enthusing about some less-obvious gems — from the wonders of marmot hibernation to the secret life of innocent-looking carnivorous plants, from the history of a 150-million-year-old rock to the amazing exploits of the early mountaineers.
Being British, Sarah always carries an umbrella in the mountains and often a mysterious plastic tube. Expect to experience a British sense of humour… but not too early in the morning! Sarah lives in Lausanne, working also as a consultant, facilitator and trainer to support teams and managers in thinking and communicating clearly about what matters to them and in working together effectively. In this, she particularly enjoys using visual thinking tools and mountain landscapes — both real and metaphorical — to connect people and create space for dialogue, insight and inspiration. So the Swiss mountains find a place in every part of her life.
Marieke moved in 2006 from the Netherlands to the UK to follow her dream to work in the outdoor industry. She started at The Outward Bound Trust in the beautiful Lake District, where she still lives and developed herself to a respected Freelance Outdoor Instructor who focuses on expedition work abroad.
Her high altitude mountaineering and guiding experience includes, the Santa Cruz Trek in Peru, Mt. Toubkal, Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kenya, Gran Paradiso, Elbrus and Mont Blanc. Marieke loves working and playing in the mountains and if you ask her if she has done the Tour Du Mont Blanc, her answer will be ' Yes...on a mountainbike'!
She recently qualified as an UIMLA International Mountain Leader and is looking forward to sharing her love of the mountains with you in the Alps!
Born and raised in Chamonix, Richard has had a passion for endurance sports for as long as he can remember. He has over 20 years of experience working in the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps, and is a qualified instructor in Cross Country Skiing/Biathlon, Hiking/Snowshoeing and Mountain Biking. He is fluent in French and English. When not guiding Alpenwild guests, he is a sports coach at the high school in Chamonix for students pursuing their ‘Biqualification’ – Ski and Mountain training.
During his military service, he had the opportunity to be part of the military French Ski Team and participate in many Nordic ski and trail races. In his spare time, he enjoys long distance trail running and has successfully completed many different endurance races: including the Mont Blanc Marathon and the Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix Ultra Marathon. He also continues to compete in some of the most demanding cross country ski races like the 80km Marathon de Bessans, and the 76km Transjurassienne. Daily Yoga practice and stretching also play an important part in his fitness routine.
In 2003 he designed and built his own chalet in Les Bossons, a small village on the outskirts of Chamonix, where he lives with his wife and two boys. They keep chickens, grow their own vegetables and spend as much time as they can outdoors, exploring the spectacular wilderness that surrounds them.
"We had a wonderful day touring the alps with our guide! Knowledge and kind. A perfect way to see highlights on a short visit!" – L.M, Alberta
"Excellent guide for our tour du mont blanc walking. We had an amazing time, couldn't ask for more. Our guide was approachable with fluent English and an unparalleled local knowledge of the area." – R.R, London
"Richard was friendly, competent, well-informed, and funny. I thought he was great." – R.D, British Columbia
Born and raised in New York City, Janet grew to love outdoor adventures soon after college when she joined a local ski club and helped lead trips throughout upstate New York and Vermont. She continued her passion for skiing and has been a certified ski instructor for over 15 years and part of the National Ski Patrol for more than 5.
Her affinity for the winter is equally matched in the summer months, during which she's travelled to Germany and Switzerland too many times to count. As a fluent German speaker who's quite familiar with the area, she loves helping people navigate the quaint mountain towns. The Alps are a place Janet adores, and she is passionate about showing others the beauty and culture of the area. Be sure to ask her which local delicacies to try as the chocolates, cheeses, tortes, and delectable cuisines are best shared with great company!
Heather grew up in the north on England on a tiny peninsular sandwiched between the mountains of North Wales and Liverpool. Coming from a family which would switch weekends between rock climbing, hiking and white water kayaking, she has always loved the outdoors. As soon as she was old enough she enrolled on instructing and guiding courses in the UK, progressing onto international qualifications. An alpine climbing holiday accidentally ended up with her falling in love with Chamonix, where she has lived for the last 7+ years.
In her spare time, she loves travelling the world to go rock climbing, her most recent favourites being Yosemite and Tasmania
John Froerer has been exploring the world’s backcountry for the past 25 years. Having grown up in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains and southern Utah’s desert, he has explored many landscapes including high altitude mountains and deep, red sandstone canyons. John loves teaching and guiding. He has taught rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and high-angle rescue courses for many years. He has professionally guided groups around the world for the past 15 years. He can be found on any continent or in any beautiful location around the globe, but specifically he spends most of his time in the Swiss and French Alps, Nepal’s Himalayan Range below Mt. Everest, and throughout all of South America. John's exert leadership and experience bring out the best in every participant on the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route. John loves uncovering the off-the-beaten-path museum, castle, fortress, garden, architectural masterpiece, or historical site and sharing the rich culture of Europe with those he guides.
"Our guide, John, was exceptional. He took great care of us and helped us over the scary, and exhausting parts, while helping us celebrate every moment of beauty and accomplishment. You could not ask for more." – T.S., Connecticut
"From our first briefing with John at the fabulous Grand Hotel Des Alpes I instantly felt I was in good hands and grateful for choosing this wonderful company." – S.H., California
Emily grew up with a love of the outdoors; horse-riding and cycling whenever she could around the English countryside where she grew up. Directed by her passion for the outdoors, Emily has now lived in Chamonix for 11 years and works part-time as a teacher as well as leading treks locally and further afield. Although originally choosing to live in the Alps for the mountaineering and skiing, Emily has since developed her love of cycling and trail running, including taking part in longer running events such as the Mont Blanc Marathon and CCC which follows part of the famous Tour du Mont Blanc.
Having spent so much time in the area, Emily speaks French and knows the most beautiful parts of the Alps very well. She loves sharing information about the Alpine places, people, and wildlife - and her background as a geographer also helps with this.
Emily looks forward to meeting you and sharing beautiful views, great food, and lots of fun on the trails!
Born in Chamonix at the base of Mount Blanc, Chloé grew up in the mountains. Her earliest childhood memories are on the snowy slopes and rugged mountain trails. She is passionate about sharing "her" mountains and the traditions of mountain life.
Chloé has a deep knowledge of the region, including nature, wildlife, weather, and culture. Her background includes being a world class downhill ski racer; she concluded her racing career at the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver. Following the Olympics and years of intense competition on the slopes, Chloé shifted her focus to mountaineering and outdoor recreation. She became a qualified UIMLA Mountain Leader, fitness coach, and Pilates teacher. Her life emphasis is now on helping clients achieve optimal health and wellness.
Chloé enjoys the peace and serenity of high mountain trails and shares that with each guest she leads on the trail. Her passion for the mountains, vast knowledge of the region, commitment to healthy living, and leadership skills make her an ideal guide in the Alps.
"Chloé is a fantastic person. As an Olympic ski athlete, she was able to help anyone in trouble and bound back to the front of the group like a gazelle. She was particularly good at spotting tiny or distant animals hidden along the way, which added to our photo opportunities!" – M.M., Washington
Mitchell attributes the start to his outdoor adventures to numerous weekend backpacking trips and multi-day canoe trips with his local Boy Scout troop despite living in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York. Since having earned the rank of Eagle, he expanded his adventures from hiking the Adirondack and Appalachian mountains to more adventurous levels which include backpacking the Annapurna region in Nepal, trekking to Machu Picchu, and exploring many beautiful areas in the United States. He has spent hours marveling at the artistic and architectural wonders in numerous European cities, always enjoys a good laugh, delicious food, and exploring the world with newly formed friends. Mitchell has spent the past few summers in Europe guiding on the Haute Route with Alpenwild and accruing hundreds of trekking miles throughout Switzerland, Italy, and France. He is thrilled to share his love of all things dessert (mostly chocolate) and adventure with you in the most scenic country in the world.
Mitchell is also a certified Wilderness First Responder, published author/artist, and spends his free time rock climbing, exploring nature, reading, learning, and planning future trips. You'll enjoy Mitchell's companionship, humor, and leadership on the Haute Route. His goal is to make this a trip you'll remember for a lifetime!
"Our guide, Mitch, was outstanding—knowledgeable and helpful." – J.M., New Jersey
"Patience, charm, intelligence, and just great fun. Thank you Mitch for taking such great care of us!" – J.L., Colorado
Eve and Dave Harpur both originate from Cape Town in South Africa. Eve graduated with a degree in History at the University of Cape Town and after years working as Library/Information Officer in the corporate world, she re-trained and worked as a registered tour guide before moving to Switzerland. Dave has a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Cape Town and worked in vaccine research and the specialty chemicals industry.
A stroke of good fortune 17 years ago brought them to Switzerland when Dave was offered a 3-year work contract based in Lucerne. They immediately felt at home in the beautiful Alpine environment which they explored extensively on foot, by bike, bus and train. And after Dave’s contract ended, they and their young son felt so at home in Switzerland that they decided to stay instead of returning to their roots.
They are now full Swiss citizens having successfully been through the long integration process, speaking both German and Schwytzertüütch fairly fluently as well as getting by in French. And after a friend in the tourism industry invited them to assist in leading outdoor day tours, they both found a new passion in sharing their inside knowledge of living in Switzerland—from its unique history and direct democracy, to its culture and cuisine, customs and traditions, how it works and why it is so successful today.
Tim has lived in the mountains of Wales UK for the past 25 years, during that time he has taken many people into the wilderness of Britain. Tim holds the 'Mountaineering Instructor Award' qualification, enabling him to teach both rock climbing and mountaineering and guide people walking. He is also an active member of the local Mountain Rescue Team.
Tim has travelled extensively throughout the world, spending time in Northern, Central and Southern America, and various parts of Africa and Asia. He has led groups into jungles, deserts, and mountains- regularly trekking in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, guiding charity walkers along the Great Wall of China and has summited Kilimanjaro more than 20 times.
Tim spends his winters in Chamonix, France and has recently been awarded his International Mountain Leader Award, enabling him to work throughout the year in the mountains of Europe.
Isabelle was born in the UK but has lived in the Dolomites since 1999 working as a trip organizer, leader, and translator. She is married to a local man and living near Cortina d’Ampezzo. She has fifteen years of experience in setting up, organizing, and leading small group walking and special interest tours in Italy, both for several UK and American hiking and walking tour operators and independently. As an Oxford history graduate, she has a special interest in the history of the Dolomites and of the First World War Dolomite Front in particular. She also has a passion for alpine flowers. She has walked extensively in Italy and the UK and loves long distance trails in particular.
"Isabelle is an outstanding guide. She knows this part of the world intimately and provided a great deal of historical and natural background info which really did add an extra dimension to our trip." – J.C., Melbourne.
Growing up in the heart of Snowdonia, among the beautiful and breathtaking mountains of North Wales, Alex, our Welsh mountain goat, is no stranger to big days in the hills. Scouting & camping trips in his youth and sporadic traveling in his teens saw Alex's passion and love for the outdoors and adventure grow rapidly. His career choice came down to either applying his university education as a forensic scientist or following his passion for the outdoors. The siren song of the mountains won—propelling him into the career he will pursue for as long as his body can allow.
Alex doesn't stay in one place for very long, venturing to new places with every season. For the last few years Alex has travelled the world, working and playing in equal measure. A normal year will see him guiding on high altitude peaks in Africa, preparing people for the harsh conditions of Scottish winter, leading canoeing and kayaking expeditions on classic rivers in Wales and Scotland, to instructing climbing and mountaineering in his home of Llanberis.
As a qualified International Mountain Leader and Mountaineering Instructor, Alex is adept at looking after people in harsh environments and has led treks all over the globe, from the jungles of Borneo to the rainforests of Costa Rica. Alex has guided on two of the '7 summits' - Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m) in Tanzania and Mt Elbrus (5642m) in Russia - as well as other high altitude peaks. Alex has spent the last few years exploring the Alps in both summer and winter and is keen to share his passions with you on wonderful journeys such as the Haute Route and the Tour de Mont Blanc.
"Alex is a fantastic, approachable, experienced and energizing leader with great awareness of group dynamics and morale building, while also reassuring and making the team feel supported and safe." – R.M., London
"Alex was amazing—his energy and positivity were a huge boost and he is a very big part of me actually making it to the top. Thanks, Alex!" – L.B., London
Clare grew up in England and moved to Switzerland in 1984 to continue her skiing career. She started tour guiding in Montreux in 1987 and today, teaches skiing in the winter as a fully qualified Swiss Ski Instructor with Brevet Federal and guides tours in the summer. She also gives Swiss wine tastings, (one of her passions) and teaches French and English during the year. She is a licensed member of ASGT, the Swiss Association of Tour Guides. Clare considers herself fortunate to live and work in Switzerland—the most beautiful country in the world with fabulous wines, cheeses, chocolate and mushrooms, amongst other wonderful produce.
In her spare time, Clare enjoys many sports, particularly skiing, snow-boarding, mountain-biking, tennis, wake-boarding, wind-surfing and trampolining. She is also an accomplished City and Guilds chef and she thoroughly enjoys entertaining, travelling and reading.
She looks forward to sharing these unforgettable experiences with you during your Alpenwild tour. She adores meeting people and sharing her local knowledge and love of Switzerland with them in an interesting and informative way.
Jim has lived and worked in the Welsh mountains of Snowdonia for the past 23 years. His work has not only been in guiding groups to the majestic summits but has involved a rich mix of leading adventure activities and education, especially about nature. His work has also taken him around the world, planning expeditions in Asia, Mongolia and South America and guiding across the Alps, Tanzania and Iceland.
Jim is a nature and alpine flowers specialist and runs training courses for outdoor leaders, guides and instructors in developing their knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Since becoming a qualified UIMLA International Mountain Leader in 2017 he has spent his summers guiding groups in the Alps. This has focussed mainly in the French and Swiss Alps on some of the classic tours such as the Tour of Mont Blanc and Trekkers Haute Route but also in other, more remote regions too.
In his spare time Jim enjoys rock climbing, skin touring and alpinism and is an active member of a voluntary mountain rescue team back in Wale. He is looking forward to guiding you and sharing his expertise with you on your vacation!
Born and raised in the French Alps, Romain's earliest childhood memories are of harvesting edible mushrooms in the forest with his parents. At an early age he was snowboarding whenever he got the chance. Since that time, he’s always felt at home in the mountains. He continues to spend as much time as possible in the forests and mountains to expand his knowledge of nature and the natural environment.
His university studies in archeology and anthropology led him to South America to explore Inca history and cultures and led him to organize treks to Machu Picchu and Choquequirao.
Recent endeavors have taken him from Nepal to Norway, through Laos, Finland, Iceland, as well as the US and Canada. In guiding treks around the world he’s been a dog sledding guide in Lapland, climbed Mount Blanc, and has done some exciting high-altitude treks in the Himalaya and the Andes. He’s also an avid climber, diver, runner, and cyclist. Romain is currently qualifying to be a certified hiking guide in France, where you’ll find him regularly hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc and the Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route.
"What and amazing trip! A beautiful, sporting, and human adventure! Romain knew how to inspire confidence in each participant, which allowed everyone to make the most of it. If you love nature and you want to live a great adventure, you can’t go wrong with Romain!" – C.L., Paris
"A tip of the hat to our very professional guide Romain, always listening, with great expertise, which he happily shares as we hike and discover new territories" – C.M., Colombes, France
Sophie grew up in the heart of Wales, covered in mud from riding bikes, kicking a football, or following her great grandad up and over the Welsh hillsides. These days things haven't changed much, but the hills have gotten a bit bigger.
With a degree in graphic design, but a love for the outdoors, Sophie moved to the Italian Dolomites to fulfill her hiking, cycling, and climbing dreams. She then went on to study in Scandinavia to become a fully qualified International Wilderness Guide. She spent her winters working as a musher on a husky farm and gaining experience guiding arctic expeditions in Finland.
Sophie still can’t decide which of Alpenwild’s treks are her favorite. However, her highlights include staying in the mountain huts on the Haute Route, the stunning turquoise Oeschinen lake on the Bernese Oberland, and the Italian Val ferret hike on the Tour du Mont Blanc.
"Sophie's leadership and support were essential to my completion and enjoyment of the Tour du Mont Blanc." -C.R., Olympia, WA
"Thank you just doesn't cover it! You made this trip so incredibly special. Your confidence and humor while guiding this crazy group will always be appreciated." -H.D., Vail, CO
Nicki is a native of nowhere and, as a result, feels at home just about anywhere. She has lived in 7 different states and 5 different countries. Her favorite place to be is in the mountains, especially in the Alps,, where she has guided on the Chamonix -Zermatt Haute Route dozens of times over the last ten years. She also hikes in the rugged mountains of Corsica and leads Alpenwild trips on that beautiful Mediterranean island. Nicki has spent years in and around the Alps living in Grenoble and Annemasse in France, and in Geneva, Switzerland. With her fluent French and functional German she loves chatting it up with the locals and enjoying European food (especially Swiss cheese and chocolate), culture, history, and humor.
Nicki is an avid runner, with 9 half marathons under her belt, and has led groups through the high peaks of the Alps and the low red rock crevices of the Utah desert. She has a masters degree in World Languages from the University of Utah. She loves getting to know people in the simple, yet stunning settings the great outdoors has to offer. She calls Salt Lake City, on the western edge of the Rocky Mountains "home" where she enjoys exploring all the recreation that rich area has to offer.
"Nicki took a personal interest in each one of us and by the end of our 12 days together we felt like family." – M.F., California
"I was blown away at the attention to detail this trip provided. Honestly, I would go just about anywhere Nicki wanted to take us." – T.L., Colorado
Sofie grew up in one of the flattest countries in Europe, but that has not kept her from taking every opportunity to spend time in the mountains. 5 years ago she moved from her native Denmark to Scotland to study. Here she joined the Glasgow University Mountaineering Club, lead trips in the Scottish Highlands and gained a rock climbing instructor qualification. Sofie lived for one year in Switzerland where she studied international law. In-between studies she has spent 4 seasons working in the Alps as an outdoor instructor.
Personal trips and expeditions have taken Sofie to the Icelandic fjords, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the High Tatras in Slovakia and all over the Alps. She has just returned from Nepal, where she spent six months combining her passion for the outdoors and her law studies; working for a human rights organization and trekking in the Nepalese Himalaya.
Sofie loves sharing her passion for the outdoors and her knowledge of Switzerland, from stories of first ascents in the Swiss Alps to local food and the country’s political history.
Matthew was born in Switzerland –from English parents who came to the Alps to hike and climb. He spent much of his youth roaming the hills and mountains of the Jura and the Alps. In 2002 he started the ASAM (Association Suisse des Accompagnateurs en Montagne) training course, the first and most renowned mountain leading school of Switzerland. He is currently a UIMLA (Union of International Mountain Leader Associations) and ASAM (Association Suisse des Accompagnateurs en Montagne) mountain leader.
He has walked and trekked in the Alps, the Jura, the Pyrenees, Lapland (Norway), the Himalayas (Bhutan), the central Andes, jungles of Central America and the western Alps of New Zealand. He also enjoys high-mountain skiing, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and some mountaineering, climbing and cycling. He’s climbed famous high peaks around Switzerland including the Mönch (4107m), Fletschhorn (3927m), Liskamm (4210m), Castor (4223m), Bishorn (4153m), Pigne d’Arolla (3790m), Petit Combin (3663m), amount numerous others. He’s also climbed the Illimani (6438m) in the Cordillera Real of the Bolivian Andes.
He is the proud father of two daughters and looks forward to meeting you over the summer!
.png&h=350&w=400&q=100&zc=0 "Hans Schlunegger")
Born in Grindelwald, Hans knows the Jungfrau Region like the back of his hand. Since his youth, Hans has hiked, climbed, and explored the beautiful mountains of his home country and continues to do so today. Over his career he has climbed all the major peaks of the Bernese Alps. He flourished as a competitive member of the Swiss National Ski Team starting in 1964 and later as a coach from 1972 to 1982. While he was a professional World Cup ski racer he appeared as one of the "bad guys" who chased James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. When you go to Bond World 007 on the Schilthorn, you'll see him in action. He later worked for Grindelwald Tourism as a sports director where he organized events. When you're hiking with Hans in the Jungfrau, you're hanging out with a local celebrity—Everyone knows Hans. He's fluent in French, German, and English and always gives Alpenwild guests a warm, authentic, insider's experience in the Jungfrau.
David was born and educated in the UK but has spent most of his life (when not hiking in the Alps) in Canada. He holds a mathematics degree from Oxford University and qualified as an actuary, so he is pretty good with numbers, which is of absolutely no value when hiking in the Alps. However, he has had five years of experience as a guide and trip leader as well as years of hiking experience in the French and Swiss Alps before that. He retains much of his high school French to cope with critical issues such as ordering food and drink.
David was a fairly competitive rower at Oxford and continues rowing during the brief periods when the lakes in Canada are free of ice. In the winter, like many Canadians, he is an avid curler.
Dave is a natural adventurer who has lived in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland, the mountains of Snowdonia, and the coastal cliffs of Dorset in the UK. He now lives with his family in the lower reaches of the Chamonix valley. He holds the International Mountain Leader Award, the Mountain Instructor Award and is also a BCU 5 star Sea Kayak Leader. He has been involved in all aspects the outdoor industry, and has worked at the UK National Mountain Centre - Plas y Brenin, as well as heading up Outdoor Education departments in Boarding Schools in the UK.
Dave has led many expeditions across the globe, sea kayaking round islands, mountain biking across mountain ranges, as well as trekking and climbing in Europe, the Americas, North Africa and the greater ranges of the Himalayas.
The outdoor environment is Dave’s passion, believing that even being in a scruffy bit of woodland can be just as rewarding as climbing the highest mountain. He hopes to pass on this passion to others in the hope that they will become fulfilled and successful in their life.
.jpg&h=0&w=400&q=100&zc=0 "Jennifer Stretton")
Jen grew up about as far from the mountains and nature as you can get—in Birmingham, UK. When she first visited the Alps on a university climbing trip, she immediately fell in love with the place. After graduating with a degree in Geography, Jennifer spent the next few years travelling the world, volunteering with conservation charities and freelance marketing to fund her adventures. In 2015 she settled full time in the Chamonix Valley and began training to become an international mountain leader.
An avid climber and environmentalist, Jen’s passion for the mountains and the natural world is contagious. When she’s not guiding, Jennifer spends her free time climbing, skiing, travelling and trying to keep up with her dog on trail runs. Sociable, caring and always smiling, Jen is the perfect guide to keep you laughing and motivated on your journey. She looks forward to meeting you over the summer!
“From the first day of our journey, you expertly led us on a dream vacation. But more importantly, you welcomed us into your life and seamlessly became our friend. And for this, I cannot thank you enough.” – K.W., London
In her work as an alpine naturalist Simone van Velzen adds an exciting new dimension to your Tour du Mont Blanc trek with insights into the incredibly rich flora and fauna of the Alps. Simone studied Wildlife Management at the Van Hall Institute in the Netherlands. After her studies she left her home country (which is flatter than a pancake) and moved to British Columbia. In the Canadian Rockies, she discovered the astonishing richness of mountain environments. Her passion for mountain nature was born. And when she returned to Europe, she based herself in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the perfect setting for exploring and studying the natural history of mountain environments. As an alpine naturalist she writes for outdoor magazines and leads excursions in the natural world.
If you step into the natural world with Simone, her passion for all living things—wild flowers to lichen, birds to mammals—can’t help but rub off on you. She’s excited to meet you on your Tour du Mont Blanc and share the amazing natural wonders in the Alps.
Born in London, Louis has used every opportunity to escape to the mountains. From an early age he has been an avid hiker: he got to know the trails of Chamonix intimately when he was a teenager, and has explored the extensive Swiss hiking network in detail in recent years. His travels have seen him live all over Europe: Germany, Czech Republic, Scotland, and Nepal.
Louis has recently returned from five months living in Nepal, where he racked up all of the classic treks as well as some of the more off the beaten track routes. He now finds home in Edinburgh, but spends three or four months every season in the Alps. He speaks fluent German (he lived in Munich for a year), and has a passion for learning new things.
You'll find Louis with his running shoes on most mornings. He spent a few years running on unrelenting flat roads in the city, so running up beautiful Alpine trails is an absolute delight for him. As the old saying goes, the more the merrier, so do get involved if you fancy an early morning run before the day's hike.
"Our very knowledgeable and friendly guide on the Bernese Oberland Traverse, Louis, helped make the experience a memorable one for everyone. Louis' outgoing personality and enthusiasm for the Swiss mountain life was contagious, and his able assistance and attention to detail certainly enhanced everyone's enjoyment of the trek. We felt fortunate to have him as our guide." – B. L., Colorado
"Louis' enthusiasm for life and nature, his ability to easily connect with all of us, his language skills, his knowledge of wildflowers, his probing curiosity about nature made this a wonderful trip. He went out of his way to meet any of our needs." – J.D., Colorado
Steve has been trekking, climbing and ski touring in the world’s mountains for the last 45 years, ever since his first walks as a young boy in Snowdonia, Scotland, Bavaria and Italy.
He is based in the UK where he has supported many young people’s first steps into the mountains through his work with the Duke of Edinburgh Award and as a school teacher for many years.
Steve has travelled extensively in Asia, South America, Africa and Europe and now regularly leads treks in Europe, Morocco -Mount Toubkal and Malawi.
He has spent nearly 5 years working as a polar guide in the Antarctic, both in summer and the depths of winter. During this time, he was responsible for guiding scientists and support staff safely across the vast, but beautiful, Antarctic wilderness.
Steve has recently been awarded the International Mountain Leader Award enabling him to work year-round in the mountains of Europe, an area he is passionate about.
Born in Basel with 16th century Swiss heritage, raised in California, and now dividing his time between Luzern and California, René Welti perfectly bridges Swiss and American culture. His varied travel career has been divided between Switzerland and the US with airlines, destinations, hotels, and travel companies. In addition to hiking, skiing, and biking around the Lake Lucerne area, he swims in the annual 1km "Swim across Lake Lucerne" event with a current personal best time of 29 minutes. His longest swim is a 2.5km swim across Lake Uri from the William Tell's chapel to the tiny pristine village of Bauen. In his spare time he writes on Switzerland and the Lake Lucerne region for magazines and travel books.
René served as the Swiss Olympic Team Attaché for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He is a Charter Certified Tour Planner, Certified Hospitality Educator and winner of the Travel Industry Association of America,s International Marketing Award. A Certified Swiss hiking guide, René is the top-rated hiking guide in the Lucerne area. In addition to guiding the Lucerne tours, René guides Alpenwild's Scenic Alps by Rail tour and the Christmas in Switzerland tour.
"It was our "wow" vacation, as every day was a "wow" day seeing the many beautiful villages/towns and mountains. René's knowledge of Switzerland and his scheduling and organizational skills were perfect. We would love to do it all over again!" – A.H., Florida
"René knows the locals and makes great suggestions to make the most of your day. Our group dined together in the evening and all our dinners were wonderful. Without René we could not have figured out the trains and buses. It was the best vacation we've ever had. Flawless and Fun." – T.R., California
Robert Winward grew up following his ecologist father through the mountains and high deserts of the American West. From a young age, he developed a deep appreciation for the land, its stories and beauty. As an outdoor adventurer he’s traveled extensively. He’s explored the jungles of Indonesia, the Amazon and Central America; trekked New Zealand’s Tongariro Crossing, the Arieiro to Ruivo on Madeira; and wandered the Sahara and Arabian deserts. Researching his Celtic ancestry has taken him through the highlands of Scotland and up mount Pen Y Fan in Wales. No stranger to adventure, he’s been chased by thugs through the souks of Marrakech and stalked by poachers in the Guyanese jungle.
However, if you ask Robert about his all-time favorite destination, he’ll quickly respond, “Switzerland, hands down!” His deep Swiss heritage goes beyond his family’s 500-year-old farmhouse on the outskirts of Bern. As founder and director of Utah State University’s Innovation by Design in Switzerland, he spent fourteen years leading culture tours through the cities, villages and Alps of Switzerland. He developed collaborative projects with Swiss entities such as The International Committee of the Red Cross, The Olympic Museum, Nestle, Swatch Group, and Victorinox. He’s taught empathy and history while living with monks at 2,469m in the Alps; researched medieval guild signs while walking portions of the St. James Way barefoot; recited poetry in Bonivard’s dungeon in Chillon castle on Lake Geneva’s shore. He’s followed the Swiss paths of famous creative expats like Mary Shelley, Ernest Hemingway, Igor Stravinsky and Lord Byron and has insider knowledge of Switzerland’s must-see venues. He’s passionate about Swiss cultural history and loves a good backstory; ask him about St. Bernard, Hannibal or the legendary William Tell.
In the off-season he is a professor of visual communication design at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, USA. He’s an award-winning designer, a celebrated “professor of the year,” a dedicated yogi and speaks fluent French. He’s a Certified Switzerland Specialist and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
An avid hiker and culinary explorer, Elain is passionate about the food of the Alps. She’s the perfect trip leader if you’re looking for adventure, food, and fun—alpine style. Elain combines her extensive outdoor experience with her contagious joie de vivre to help create an ideal experience each day. University degrees in History and Mass Communication, and 15 years of teaching at the university level have contributed to her breadth of knowledge and her animated storytelling style. And she loves hearing your stories, too. While raising her family, Elain discovered that delicious food, often inspired by her travels, was a great creative outlet and launched a career in the culinary arts.
She started a cooking school, ran a catering company, was a professional food stylist, and was featured on live television cooking segments. She loves connecting Alpenwild guests with their food through authentic and participatory experiences. With Elain you’ll have unforgettable experiences like hunting fresh truffles in the forest, making Alp cheese over an open fire, creating chocolate ganache with a master chocolatier, or crafting crackling-crusted bread in a 200-year-old wood-fired oven. Elain handles cuisine-focused tours for Alpenwild and often leads Cheese, Chocolate, and the Scenic Alps. She’s kept busy with private groups who want a custom tour in the Alps that pairs majestic outdoor settings with great food. You'll enjoy her expertise on our Swiss Bliss Tour.
"This tour was the dream of a lifetime. Elain has extremely close relationships with all locals we encountered from our beautiful lodgings to our exclusive tour and breakfast at an Alpine dairy farm. I truly hope to travel with Alpenwild again. My only fear is that it would be nearly impossible to beat this experience." – S.M., Alaska
Who better to introduce you to the beauty and charm of Appenzell than someone who was was born there and grew up hiking in the beautiful Alpstein range? Paul Zeller is a Certified Hiking Guide in Switzerland, and guides not only in the Appenzell Alps, but in other favorite areas of the Alps, including the Engadine, Jungfrau, and Austria's Tirol. Professionally, he teaches languages and history in Appenzell, so with his impeccable English he loves to share his knowledge of the Alps and the rich culture and history that surrounds them.
Wen-Di graduated from college with a Geography degree emphesized in tourism studies. She was born in China, but grew up primarily in the mountainous heart of Utah. Having easy access to beautiful trails and being immersed in breathtaking scenery has only increased her appreciation for the outdoors and hiking. As a Certified Switzerland specialist, she's spent quite a bit of time in the Alps, whether that's hiking or enjoying the unique Swiss towns! It’s her passion, love of traveling, organization, and firsthand knowledge of the Alps that makes her the perfect person to help plan your next trip to Switzerland. Wen-Di’s primary focus is on the Deluxe Haute Route, Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route, Bernese Oberland Traverse, and Eiger to the Matterhorn trekking routes. With a strong fascination in the Swiss culture and food, she’s excited to share all she knows with anyone willing to listen as well as learning new things from you. Wen-Di works as an active member of the Alpenwild team based in Utah while also spending time in the summer season out on the trails in the Alps.
"We are in the planning and preparation stage for our 2018 self-guided trek with the help of Alpenwild and are so pleased with the time Wen-Di takes to answer our questions and keep us up to date on our bookings." – C.O., Oklahoma
Macie is a recent graduate in Experience Design and Management with a minor in Travel and Tourism Studies. Her background in events, business, and travel combine perfectly to help her create the best experience possible for you. Macie grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has always enjoyed her time in the mountains. She has visited over ten European countries in the last two years. Her love of planning trips and experiences might almost equal her love of traveling. In her spare time, if she isn't traveling, she enjoys cooking, laughing, and watching movies/television. She is a Certified Switzerland Specialist and is ready to share her knowledge of the Alps with you. If you're dreaming of seeing the most incredible scenery in the world, Macie would be happy to help you plan your next adventure on the Tour du Mont Blanc or in the Italian Dolomites. Macie is thrilled to merge her skills of providing experiences and her passion for travel at Alpenwild.
Jamie is a recent graduate of Geography with an emphasis in Tourism, with 2 years of experience in Event Planning. Creating experiences that will last a lifetime is her specialty. Having traveled to over 20 different countries all over the world, she spends her free time researching her next adventure. Combined with her extensive knowledge of the Swiss Alps, as a Swiss Travel Specialist, Jamie is sure to help you plan an adventure you won’t soon forget! A lover of all things Swiss, and a foodie at heart, she is happy to give recommendations tailored to your particular interests. In her free time Jamie like to hike, spend time with loved ones, and eat good food. She would love to help you book your next Haute Route with Alpenwild. Jamie's primary focus is on the Deluxe Haute Route and Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route trekking routes.
Equipped with a university degree in Geography and Urban Planning, Tessa is the quintessential trip planner. She spends as much time researching her adventures as she does adventuring. As a Certified Switzerland Specialist she’ll help you create a comprehensive itinerary that will be the adventure of a lifetime. She has a knack for assisting Alpenwild guests in planning the intricate logistics and seemingly minute details of a trip, right down to what kind of cheese you’ll be enjoying for lunch in St. Luc or when the last funicular of the day descends to Zermatt. She honed her outdoor skills during a summer at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon followed by four months hiking through the Holy Land. Tessa now works her magic in Alpenwild’s Utah offices and on the trail in the Alps.
"Tessa was amazingly kind and helpful in my choosing a trip and incredibly patient with my millions of questions. She assisted with my pre- and post-trip travel plans as well as answering my minutia questions of what to wear, where to eat, and where I could buy a real cowbell! She was exceptionally accurate with her trail descriptions and difficulty ratings. Tessa, you Rock!" –S.H., California
"Tessa could not have been more helpful and friendly in setting up all travel, transfers and accommodations. When I landed at Geneva airport, every aspect of the trip, from start to finish, was taken care of." – J.M., New Jersey
Rachael grew up in North Carolina, where she spent lots of time with her family enjoying beaches along the East Coast. It wasn’t until she moved to Utah for college that she fell in love with the mountains and quickly developed a passion for rock climbing and hiking. Her top 2 bucket-list items are to rock climb in all 50 states and visit all the national parks in the USA. Nothing brings her more joy than being out in nature.
She has visited many European countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, England, Norway, and Germany–but she insists Switzerland is the best of them all. Rachael is a Certified Switzerland specialist with a bachelor's degree in marketing management, and is excited to be coupling her passion for marketing and the outdoors at Alpenwild.
Armed with a degree in Geography and a minor in Business Management, Tari is well equipped to handle the travel needs of Alpenwild’s upscale international adventure travel clients on self-guided/custom and private tours. With roots in the Pacific Northwest, Tari enjoys mountain scenery and exploring the outdoors. She loves researching new places to visit and especially travelling with her family in her free time. She’s a Certified Switzerland Travel Specialist and works in the office planning and booking Alpenwild’s tours. She loves being organized and paying attention to detail, so planning tours in Switzerland has become a passion for her.
"Our trip has been amazing to say the least. The planning and transfer, accommodation, meals, luggage transfers, and sights have all been stunning. We couldn't have planned such a varied tour by ourselves. Thanks for your part in organizing this." - B.R., Australia
"Just got back from our self-guided Alpenwild tour of the Bernese Oberland. It was fabulous - great hikes, hotels and food. Have to give a shout out to Tari for being a moment-by-moment support when our flight into Switzerland was delayed and the last train to Lauterbrunnen stopped due to 'fire on the tracks.' She was not only super-efficient and helpful but sympathetic to two tired travelers who only wanted to go to sleep. You're the best, Tari" -- S.F., Florida
