Chamonix Trekking - Simon Blackmore

International Mountain Leader (Accompagnateur en Montagne)

I am available to guide trekking using refuges de montagne, gentle one-day hikes and snowshoeing for people of all levels and abilities, explaining the valley’s history and the natural environment of the different altitude zones as we hike.

As a fully qualified Accompagnateur en Montagne or International Mountain Leader I am legally qualified to guide sub-glacier mountain terrain in France on foot or on snowshoes until the level where complex mountaineering techniques become required. I carry obligatory French ‘Responsabilité Civile’ professional insurance(third party) with ‘carte professionnelle’ which includes a limited sum for the helicopter rescue of clients.

Why go with an accompagnateur?

Above all an accompagnateur knows his area well, and having been in Chamonix since 1995, and worked at La Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix since 2006, I can provide you with a more fulfilling hiking experience than by simply following a guide book; I know all the prettiest paths and most authentic auberges and, according to season and altitude I have a fair idea of where the ibex are grazing, which flower meadows are at their best perhaps even where butterflies are most numerous.

An Accompagnateur or International Mountain Leader is qualified to guide you on a long or short mountain journey, looking after your comfort and assisting your safety, sharing his specialised knowledge of and love for the mountain environment in winter and summer.

“Dear Simon, Thank you so much for guiding us during our stay here in Chamonix. We really enjoyed our days with you and seeing the donkies, churches,squirrels etc. We all agree you looked after us so well and were extremely considerate to our needs, Best regards P,C and M.”

In terms of safety, although some footpaths are signposted, they are still subject to big mountain-range conditions, threatened by avalanche and stonefall and often crossing exposed sections of hard frozen snow from old avalanche debris as well as the notorious chains and ladders common in the Alps. Thick mist, snow, rain, wind and lightning arrive with little warning in the mountains and compound the usual risks of getting lost, slips, exposure and fatigue-particularly at altitude. As well as knowing the local conditions I am trained to deal with these problems-preparation and choice of route due to experience are invaluable.

Qualifying as an IML

On top of a comprehensive mountain experience logbook (mainly in the Himalayas – see “More About Me” below) in order to gain this qualification I had to carry out a series of practical and theoretical training weeks and exams over a two year period on general mountain safety. This included nightime and zero-visibility mountain navigation,coping with adverse conditions, making and living in snow-caves,assessment of avalanche risks, protecting groups on dangerous terrain and first-aid in a mountain context. There is also a strong focus on environmental knowledge - flora and fauna and the mountain habitat.

More About Me

I regularly work as a “renfort” guide for the prestigious Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix, the oldest and most famous company of mountain guides in the world,and enjoy following the French Guide tradition although I also have experience further afield on the 8000m mountains of the Himalayas including the summit of Cho oyo 8201m (27,000ft) a high ski descent on Shishapangma where I reached 7,800m (25,500ft) alone and the North ridge of Everest to 8,400m (27,500ft).

I have spent a total of two and a half years in the Himalayas since 1986, including five trips to Tibet, - a calm and fulfilling part of my life. I am often struck by the similarity of the Alps and the Himalayas in terms of both environment and culture.

My wife and daughter are French, many of my clients are,and I would hope to give you a more intimate view of the culture and history of this incomparable region through this and my years of experience at La Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix since 2006.

I prefer to share the mountain, only leading when required to. I am quite used to all levels of fitness in my mountain partners,and it’s no problem to tailor the excursion to suit you!