Mountain guide

Mountain guides are - mostly state-certified - alpinists who lead or because of their experience, local customer or special training for a fee other hikers, climbers and mountaineers responsible in the mountains to train.

Nature

With the increasing tourist development and utilization of mountain regions in the 19th century. to a need for this activity, so that the work as a mountain guide represents a separate profession with strictly regulated training paths and legally protected title for several decades. Many mountain guides and climbers but also in mountain rescue, or as a volunteer or volunteers working, eg in clubs and youth groups.

Usually by mountain guides competence both for summer tours ( climbing and tours) as well as for winter trips ( ski touring and recently snowshoeing ) is expected. Very often, mountain guide, therefore, at the same time ski guide ( with examination: Certified Mountain Guides ).

Mountain guide system in Germany

In Germany, about 500 mountain guides are founded in the 1968 Association of German mountain and ski guides organized ( VDBS ). The first official mountain guide Germany was Johann Ramsauer grill.

In the public sector in Germany, the functions Border Protection mountain guides exist ( Federal Police ), Army mountain guide (Bundeswehr) and Police Mountain Guides ( Bavarian police). These special guides are exclusively active in the service area.

Mountain guide beings in Austria

In Austria the mountain and ski guides in the Association of Austrian mountain guide and ski instructor ( VÖBS ) are organized.

During World War II, several mountain guide companies were set up for the fight in the mountains against Italy from the Austro -Hungarian army. It was best used preformed staff ( residents from the mountain areas ) that have been trained in courses by the so-called Alpine speakers even further.

International cooperation

Since 1966, the National Mountain Guides Associations are members of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations ( IFMGA ).

Tasks

Mountain guides have the task of individuals or groups - in the high mountains cliques - sure to be accompanied by the desire region and bring them to their desired destination.