ISAUI - Trekking and mountain guide

At the ISAUI Institute in Villa Carlos Paz, I've had the privilege of completing the Technical Superior Course in Trekking and Mountain Guiding, a formative experience that has broadened my horizons and enriched my skills in the adventure tourism field. In this post, I wish to share the knowledge gained and the competencies developed during this program, highlighting my commitment to excellence and safety in every expedition. Through these lines, I invite you to explore my educational journey and my dedication to offering unforgettable experiences in nature.

ISAUI Students and teachers at the summit of Champaquí mountain 2270m - Córdoba Argentina.

Over a period of 2 and a half years, the educational program offers a unique combination of theoretical classes in the classroom and practical activities in the field. At the Arturo Umberto Illia Superior Institute, the educational focus is on the practical application of all theoretical concepts acquired in the classroom. This approach is fundamental for the development of learning and professional training of the students, providing them with the opportunity to face real challenges that characterize the work as a mountain guide on a day-to-day basis.

View of the city of Villa Carlos Paz from the Los Gigantes mountain range - Córdoba Argentina.

Throughout the program, field practical outings are included, which take place in various mountain environments throughout Argentine territory. These experiences offer students the opportunity to become familiar with and adapt to a variety of work environments, ranging from mountain ranges to high mountains, passing through deserts, jungles, glaciers, and more. These practical outings constitute a fundamental component of the program since they allow students to put into practice and value all the knowledge acquired in the classroom, transferring it to the empirical field directly and effectively.

Basic rock climbing exercises in the first year - Los Gigantes, Argentina.

Advanced rock climbing practices - Tanti, Argentina.

Additionally, training is provided in rope rescue maneuvers, including ascent and descent on fixed ropes, vertical and lateral extraction systems, among other aspects. All these technical rope maneuvers are first practiced in a safe environment within the school's facilities and then carried out on field trips.

Search and rescue practices in second year - Lateral extraction system Los Gigantes, Argentina.

Technical equipment management practices in patient extraction systems - Los Gigantes, Argentina.

Practices for handling technical equipment in a controlled environment

Regarding technical maneuvers in snowy and glacier terrain, the school offers two annual trips to high mountain environments. During these expeditions, aspirants have the opportunity to learn and practice the fundamental maneuvers for safety in progression on snowy and glacier terrain. These include self-arrest techniques in case of falls, construction of natural and artificial anchors in snow and ice, roping up for progression on glaciers, and rescue maneuvers in glacier crevasses, among others.Regarding technical maneuvers in snowy and glacier terrain, the school offers two annual trips to high mountain environments. During these expeditions, aspirants have the opportunity to learn and practice the fundamental maneuvers for safety in progression on snowy and glacier terrain. These include self-arrest techniques in case of falls, construction of natural and artificial anchors in snow and ice, roping up for progression on glaciers, and rescue maneuvers in glacier crevasses, among others.

Rescue practices in glacial crevasses - Mendoza, Argentina

Construction practices of artificial anchors in snow and ice - Las Cuevas, Mendoza.

Practices of self-arrest techniques Mendoza, Argentina.

In addition to the technical focus, the school considers it crucial for students to develop competent communication skills. For this reason, subjects such as "Social Psychology and Group Dynamics" and "Ethics and Professional Deontology" are taught, where students learn to cultivate these essential qualities.

The Institute also places strong emphasis on the role of trekking and mountain guides as interpreter guides. Subjects such as "Biodiversity," "Geomorphology," "Cartography and Orientation," "Cultural Anthropology," "Meteorology," and "Argentine Geographic Space" provide theoretical knowledge about the various environments where future guides will carry out their activities with clients. This allows aspiring guides to offer enriching narratives to their clients about the surrounding environment.

Theoretical classes in the field - Sierras GrandesMountain Rage, Argentina.

The school also emphasizes the development of content related to tourism administration and legislation. These aspects allow students to be confident that the services they will provide in the future will comply with the framework of organization and legality required in Argentine territory. Subjects such as "Alternative Tourism," "Protected Natural Areas," "Trekking Circuit Programming," and "Administration and Assistance of Tourist Services" provide this type of content.

Orientation and mapping practices in the field - Sierras Grandes, Argentina.

Professional practices in the field - Sierras Grandes Mountain Rage, Argentina

To conclude, in addition to passing all the subjects of the program, the school requires each student to complete a portfolio of mountain expeditions in order to graduate as a "Technical Superior Guide in Trekking and Mountain". These expeditions and treks must meet certain specific and verifiable requirements to ensure that the student has been adequately trained.

List of Proofs for the Superior Trekking Guide Career.

A mountain area trek covering over 60% of altitudes exceeding 2000 meters above sea level (m.s.l.), lasting more than three days in the field and spanning over 60 km, without using infrastructure or intermediate provisioning. It will be done in a tent or bivouac, with ascents of over 2000 m and descents of over 1000 m. The itinerary will be entirely in rugged areas, away from populated centers by more than 10 km or with a vertical drop of over 1200 m.

A winter mountain area trek, with a route covering over 60% of altitudes exceeding 2000 m.s.l., lasting more than four days in the field and spanning 60 km, without using infrastructure or intermediate provisioning. It will be done in a tent or bivouac, with ascents of over 2000 m. The itinerary will be in rugged areas, away from populated centers by more than 10 km or with a vertical drop of over 1200 m, with passages on snowy slopes and rock difficulties up to grade IV (UIAA scale).

A trek of more than four days in the field on altitudes exceeding 3000 m.s.l., spanning over 80 km and ascents of over 2000 m, without using infrastructure or intermediate provisioning. The itinerary will be in rugged areas, away from populated centers by more than 10 km or with a vertical drop of over 1200 m, with passages on snowy slopes and rock difficulties up to grade IV (UIAA scale).

Four ascents to peaks over 5000 m via PD technical difficulty routes according to the UIAA scale. Two in the Puna area and two in the central mountain range.

Seven ascents to peaks over 4000 m.s.l. and over 1500 m of vertical gain via PD technical difficulty routes according to the UIAA scale.

Three ascents to peaks in the Patagonian mountain range (Neuquén to the south), one with over 1500 m of vertical gain and two with over 2000 m of vertical gain via PD technical difficulty routes according to the UIAA scale.