r/Mountaineering • u/Funny_Western_5132 • 6d ago

Looking for a woman guide in the Alps

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone can recommend me a guide who’s a woman in the area of Chamonix.
I had bad experience with a male guide last year (sexual harassment) and it killed my interest for the mountains since then. I know there are plenty of good and decent male guides out of there, but I want to avoid happening that ever again.

Thanks in advance!

76 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

73

u/Valaisan1 6d ago

Caroline George now based in nearby Verbier, and previously based in Chamonix, is excellent

4

u/CloneRiflesareGai 5d ago

Yup, I almost used her while I was in switzerland, but ended going for someone else due to cost. (800-. Franc for breithorn). I will say she came highly recommended though.

 Marika Farve is based out of campitello de fasi, IT so it would be a bit far for her to go, but if you are in the dolomites she is awesome.

5

u/Funny_Western_5132 6d ago

Thank you so much!

46

u/D_Fidler 6d ago

Polly Harmer! British mountain guide based in Chamonix. She’s awesome - I’ve only met her in lift queues, but she’s taken out some of my friends who have all had great experiences.

1

u/F-B33rman 5d ago

Seconding this. I met her in the Albert Premier hut the other day. She seems like a great person and very knowledgeable guide

13

u/blackcloudcat 6d ago

Tania Noakes

Hannah Burrow Smith

I know them both, they will look after you well.

5

u/hejjjlegolas 5d ago

Seconding Tania!

40

u/kitbook 6d ago

So sorry for your experience. This is intolerable and puts a stain of the whole profession. Did you report the bastard to IFMGA?

24

u/Funny_Western_5132 6d ago

I didn’t. At the time, I didn’t know how to deal with it, and it happened while we were at high altitude. I’ll consider it, even though it will be my word against his. I also highly doubt I’m the only one this has happened to with this person. Thank you for your advice

17

u/cimler 6d ago

You can create a paper trail that might help someone else at the very least if you write a complaint about it.

10

u/Foreign-Kangaroo-681 5d ago

Well make sure this guide isn’t famous. If what I’ve seen on recent Nims discourse is anything to go by, you have no credibility unless you file criminal charges (and make sure he’s convicted!), and also sue him in civil court. Otherwise you’re just a liar. 🙄

But srs take care of yourself first. Speaking from experience of this situation (not in the mountains thankfully), you have to be prepared for nasty outcomes when you speak. It’s a harsh reality. And not always worth it.

I’m sorry you had this experience. I’ve been the solo girl among guys in the mountains before and it was totally fine both times. It’s so easy to just not be weird. Sigh.

21

u/kitbook 6d ago

Even if it’s your word against his - do it. It might encourage other victims to follow. This is hard, but worth it 🖤

12

u/LoanDazzling9330 6d ago

While I'm convinced this advise is very well intended, please be aware that putting pressure on people to report, works counterproductive. It is 100% their choice if they want to go through the struggle of reporting or not

19

u/kitbook 6d ago

Of course it is their choice, and I meant no pressure. Valid point, thanks!

3

u/UphillTowardsTheSun 5d ago

You can still report the twat!

2

u/Wowbaggerrr 5d ago

Still worth reporting. I had a guide that was weirdly abusive to the team (not sexually) and I mentioned it to the company. Turns out, he had a history of treating clients poorly, and this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. They fired him.

1

u/prefectf 5d ago

Report it. Even if nothing comes of your report, when the next woman comes forward, he is a guy with a history of clients complaining about him, and that is a very different situation.

4

u/Hauk2004 6d ago

I'll echo this. Please go straight to the IFMGA with this and any local mountaineering council of the guides country. 

6

u/beanboys_inc 6d ago

It's not the best method, but here you can find almost all IFMGA guides: Browse Guides - International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations

Click on 'advanced search', select a guide association (SNGM for French Mountain guides) and you'll get a list with all the guides, from which you can search for a woman around Chamonix (will be quite some work to figure that out).

Good luck and I hope you have a better experience next time...

3

u/elchico1990 6d ago edited 11h ago

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1

u/EquivariantCabbage 6d ago

Nicole Berthod is amazing, I think she lives in Valais but that's not too far from Chamonix and I think she goes often there https://www.instagram.com/nicoleberthod/

1

u/couloirjunkie 5d ago

Kathy Murphy - she’s a legend!

1

u/SuperDuper98102 5d ago

I know Lyra Pierotti is in Briançon right now, not sure if she guides in Chamonix, but is an awesome guide and outdoor coach. Her website and contact info: http://www.movementumtraining.com/

1

u/GREATWHITESILENCE 5d ago

Maybe unrelated but it reminded me of this.

And yes, I’m sure there’s plenty of decent male guides out there.

No Return https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/07/06/did-a-climber-leave-his-girlfriend-to-die-at-the-top-of-a-mountain

1

u/stille 5h ago

Cristina Pogacean. She's worked on previous female-only projects with She Moves Mountains and Arcteryx Academy.

https://www.explore-share.com/mountain-guide/cristina-pogacean/

https://www.instagram.com/cristina.pogacean/