Hikes

Holder of the State Mountain Leader Diploma (Brevet d’État d’Alpinisme, AMM) (AMM) since 2014, I offer hikes,, des etnobotanics courses, and naturalist courses,, des trekkings.A lover of wide open spaces and raw nature in all its forms, I am particularly drawn to off-the-beaten-path routes.

A Mountain Leader (AMM) is above all a sports educator. They organize, guide, and teach hiking and snowshoeing—ranging from simple walks to autonomous treks—both in France and abroad. They are also naturalist guides, sharing their knowledge of the natural environment with a wide audience.

The frech title of the diploma can be misleading: an AMM is not limited by altitude. Their true limits lie in the equipment they are authorized to use to ensure the progress and safety of their group.

Thus, an AMM may lead groups across all types of mountain terrain, except:

• glaciers
• areas where the use of specific technical gear (ropes, crampons, ice axes, etc.) is essential for participant safety

Mountain leaders do more than just guide hikes. Their expertise spans a wide range of fields including wildlife, flora, geology, local heritage, ecology, as well as the cultural and traditional practices of the regions they traverse. Their knowledge is not necessarily limited to mountainous environments. They:

• Design and organize hikes and treks (on foot or snowshoes in winter)
• Assess terrain conditions, weather, and risks, adapting routes accordingly.
• Lead diverse groups: children, adults, people with disabilities, school groups, tourists, and more.
• Train participants in mountain self-reliance: orientation/navigation, safety, logistics, respect for natural sites...
• Organize and lead themed outings and workshops according to their specialties—botany, wildlife photography, and more...
• Share a sensitive and naturalist approach to the environment.

• Ecology
• Wildlife
• Flora (botany and ethnobotany)
• Geology and geomorphology
• Meteorology, climates, and microclimates
• History, archaeology, tales and legends
• Sensory awakening
• Tracks, signs of presence, reading the landscape — learning to read nature like an open book
• Behind the camera: photography, video, drone footage in the wild — reconciling respect and image hunting
• Sportive hikes: physical effort, altitude, changing weather conditions, adaptation, and recovery

Navigation

• Learn to read and interpret a topographic map precisely, recognizing every detail on the ground
• Use instruments (compass, altimeter, GPS…)
• Design and follow a coherent route, including off-trail sections
• Estimate travel time, considering terrain, obstacles, best passage options, and possible escape or retreat routes

Bivouac

• Choose the right equipment based on your project and conditions
• Prepare your pack efficiently, select food, and identify a suitable campsite depending on environment and weather
• Manage food and water: understand methods of collection, filtration, and storage, adjust quantity and quality of supplies to your effort… and plan for the unexpected

Safety

• Anticipate weather and terrain conditions and adapt decisions accordingly
• Learn best practices and essential rules for mountain safety and rescue
• Know your standard and specialized gear
• Manage effort and fatigue
• Avoid the pitfalls of “too much or too little”: overconfidence, ultralight trends, dependence on smartphones, etc.

• Progressing in snowy terrain, managing effort and rest according to conditions
• Choosing equipment, food, and safety tools (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe…)
• Tracks, signs of presence, landscape reading
• Appreciating the strength and resilience of winter’s true heroes—the animals and plants that survive the cold season
• Building igloos and snow shelters
• Understanding the inherent risks of snowy environments: avalanches, cold, loss of landmarks…
• Snow science (nivology – the study of snow and snowpack)
• Winter tales and legends