The fourth of December and about a qualification that will permit guiding in several nation. Today I will write about UIMLA IML. I will be doing it from two different angles. One side from the guide perspective and also from the client side. Bur let us first find out what a IML is. An IML is a person that has been trained and assessed against the challenging requirements of UIMLA. The IML qualification lets the holder lead groups in different mountains all over the world, where the skills and equipment of alpinism are not required. IMLs can work with groups on high altitude treks as well lead groups on snowshoes.

(Navigation training at the Swedish IML  training 2020 Photo Dominique Olbrecht UIMLA)

So from a guides perspective, why have a IML certification? As a guide you will have a huge responsibility, and for being able to live up to that this qualification will help you a lot. You will  not be standing in a complicated situation and not have the knowledge in judge making. The training is tough. First of all you need the Fjalledarnorm as a basic. Then you have to do the summer and winter training and add summer and winter assessment to that. The training include parts as navigation in forms of conditions, ways of travel, emergency bivouacs, river crossing, leadership including judgement training among others.

(Rope technique training at the Swedish IML training Oct. Photo Dominique Olbrecht UIMLA)

With the IML certification you have a real good ground to rely on. As a IML you as well must keep on your knowledge development, meaning you will always be a better guide. So if you will feel comfort and safe as a guide, you better become a IML.

(River crossing training at the Swedish IML training Oct. 2020 Photo Dominique Olbrecht UIMLA)

From a client perspective what is the value of a IML? Well here you got an approved, assessed mountain Leader. She/he will be ”battle tested” this qualification means that you got an real quality check of the guide. You will know that if something is going wrong, this guide will have it in control. You will also know she/he is always updated with latest in the area. This person is and work as a professional. She/he always do a security planning etc. This guide also have a very broad network of guides all over the world, which is a prerequisite as good as any.

More information about the IML you will find here: uimla | SFLO (svenskafjalledare.se) and UIMLA – Union of International Mountain Leader Associations

See ya tomorrow…