• How much experience do I need?
• How fit do I need to be?
• How hard will the trip be?
• What is your Male/Female ratio?
• Where does the WEA fit into the guiding community at large? What can I do with WEA Certification?
• What is the difference between the course taught in a university and that taught by the Patagonia Mountaineering School?
• What does the course fee cover? How much, in total, will the whole course cost?
• Is there any financial aid available?
• Do we get paid for our work as an intern?
• Do I need insurance?
• Are there any other costs?
• Do I need a visa for Chile? Are any vaccinations required?
• How much money should I bring?

How much experience do I need?
While we don't expect our incoming trainees to be world class mountaineers, we do expect that you will have spent a reasonable amount of time in the backcountry, doingbackpacking, trekking, and climbing. If you've decided to be a mountain guide, you should at least know what it's like to spend time in the mountains. If you're not sure, go on a few trips before you sign up.

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How fit do I need to be?
Your level of fitness will have a direct impact on your (and the group’s) happiness.  Our expeditions are incredibly strenuous, among the most difficult on the market. Further, as a guide, you will be expected to be in good shape. That said, you don’t need to be an Olympic athlete.
Our recommendation is to begin a regular exercise program now (if you haven't already). The more used to exercise you are, the more your body is able to recover, allowing you to enjoy the expedition. What you do isn't really important. Go run or swim or cycle or do whatever you enjoy doing. If you arrive in good shape (and are mentally prepared to still be a bit sore) you’ll be fine.

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How hard will the trip be?
Hard is a very relative thing.  Absolutely, the course will be hard physically.  We often have long days, lots of elevation gain or loss, all while carrying a heavy backpack.  Some days will be hard mentally, walking over difficult terrain or learning new skills.  Some days will be hard emotionally; maybe you’re just having a bad day or we’re doing something that you find challenging personally.  The good news is that often the days that are hard, for whatever reason, end up being your most memorable moments and certainly your best trip stories.  And they are balanced out by the days when we reach a summit, with the world at your feet.  Those are the magic moments. 

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What is your Male/Female ratio?
While this varies from year to year, our expeditions are generally made up of about half women and half men.

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Where does the WEA fit into the guiding community at large? What can I do with WEA Certification?

Guiding and, by default, certification, can encompass a large spectrum of skills and techniques. Internationally, many organizations exist to provide guiding certifications, from entry level wilderness leaders to very experienced technical mountaineering guides, and everything in between.

The Wilderness Education Association (WEA) is a US based certification body; it was originally created by a group of universities to provide qualifications for students coming out of college wilderness leadership programs, and has since grown to encompass a range of skill levels.

They offer the three following certifications:

Wilderness Steward (5 days): This qualification is meant for beginners in the backcountry, and certifies practcioners in basic skills (navigation, camp craft, cooking). Essentially a wilderness steward is capable of looking after themselves in the backcountry for up to 7 days at a time.

Wilderness Leader (21 days): This qualification is meant for wilderness trip leaders in non- technical terrain. It certifies that the wilderness leader is capable of teaching and leading a group of up to 6 participants for up to 10 days in the backcountry.

Instructor Guide (1 to 2 years + experience): Instructor guides are responsible for training students in technical and non-technical terrain on extended and/or remote expeditions of 21+ days.

WEA certification is widely recognized in the USA, Canada, and many other countries. A WEA certification allows you to work in the mountain guiding industry, commensurate with your level of certification.

Students on our Mountain Guide School endeavor to earn an Instructor Guide qualification, which allows for great work and adventure opportunities. Put simply, successful graduates will be qualified to work on remote or extended expeditions in technical and non-technical terrain.

Further, if you aspire to more technical guiding, WEA certification is a great first step towards higher certifications.

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What is the difference between the course taught in a university and that taught by the Patagonia Mountaineering School?

Unlike any other course we know of, the Patagonia Mountaineering School provides the opportunity to work directly with clients for 9 months.  While some courses may allow you to work as an intern for a few weeks, we provide nearly a year of work with clients.  As such, our guide trainees are much better prepared for their work as a guide.  Further, we work directly with companies in the industry to help you with internship and work placement.

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What does the course fee cover? How much, in total, will the whole course cost?

The total cost for the course is $25,000 USD.  This covers all training, certification fees, park fees, group gear, local transport and support, food and lodging while on the course.  It does not cover insurance, international or domestic flights, food and lodging while on breaks between sections, food and lodging while on your internship, and personal equipment per our gear list.  In total you can expect to spend around $35,000 total for the course, including gear, insurance, and flights.

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Is there any financial aid available?

Unfortunately we cannot offer any financial aid.  There are, however, many scholarships available. The best place to look is with your local climbing club/federation, and with local schools to see what private scholarships are on offer.

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Do we get paid for our work as an intern?

Your international internship arrangement varies from company to company.  Generally internships are unpaid, but you are provided with food and lodging or a food/lodging stipend.  You can expect to break even while on your internship.  The same is true while you are working as an intern with us; we will provide you with food and equipment for the duration of your internship here in Patagonia.

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Do I need insurance?
The course fee does NOT provide medical or travel insurance.  All expedition members are required to have medical insurance that covers field evacuations.  Many medical insurance plans do not cover mountaineering, so be sure to purchase a policy that does.  Your local mountaineering club often provides wonderful insurance at an a reasonable price. Please contact us for more information about insurance policies that will cover you. 

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance as well to cover eventualities with gear or trip interruptions.

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Are there any other costs?
While in the field, all your transportation, food and accommodation is paid for. There are breaks during the course, and you are responsible for providing your own food for this period. There will be accomodation available at our basecamp, but many students choose to stay in town. THis is at your expense as well.  Any extras, such as film or souvenirs, are at your own expense.  See our Contract >>page to learn exactly what is and isn’t included in the trip.

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Do I need a visa for Chile?  Are any vaccinations required?
Please contact your local Chilean Embassy or Consulate for information regarding visas and vaccinations.

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How much money should I bring?
Chilean Pesos are often difficult to get while in your home country.  Luckily, both Santiago and Coyhaique have readily available money exchanges (Casas de Cambio) where most major currencies can be exchanged.  There are also ATMs at the Santiago airport, at many banks, and in most supermarkets.  You usually get a better exchange rate with cards than you do at the money exchanges, so you may want to consider bringing a bit of cash from home and cash card to use when you arrive.

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Building an Ice Anchor
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Inside an Ice Cave
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Journal Writing
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Just Enough Space to Swing a Cat
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Hmmm, What to Cook
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Lazy Buggers
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Learning Self Arrest
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Testing V-Threads
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