Spanish Mountain Guides Association
How to Identify a Certified Mountain Guide in Spain. According to the Spanish Mountain Guides Association (AEGM), a guide is a professional that guides an individual or group, teaches and trains clients relative to their specialty, and manages risk of the activities in natural outdoor/wilderness settings while providing security to the clients.
All AEGM certified guides have passed rigorous training in their specialties. According to their competencies they are able to apply for membership in the only two internationally certified mountain guiding organizations recognized worldwide: the UIAGM/IFMGA/IVBV (International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations) and the UIMLA (Union of International Mountain Leader Associations).
In Spain, the guiding profession has improved over the past few decades and is in line with other mountainous countries in Europe and the Americas. The official laws are regulated by the following Spanish decrees: RD 318/2000 and the Orden ECI/858/2005.
Official Mountain Guiding certifications in Spain
Within the AEGM there are 5 professional categories:
- International Mountain Guide (UIAGM/IGFGM/IVBV) (Guía de Alta Montaña/Técnico Deportivo Superior en Alta Montaña)
- Mountain Guide (Técnico Deportivo en Alta Montaña)
- International Mountain Leader Guide (UIMLA) (Guía Acompañante de Montaña/Técnico Deportivo en Media Montaña)
- Canyoning Guide (Guía de Barrancos/Técnico Deportivo en Barrancos)
- Rock Climbing Guide (Guía de Escalada en Roca/Técnico Deportivo en Escalada)
How to identify a certified mountain guide in Spain
Identification of a certified guide is simple. Before hiring them, simply ask to see their credentials, which can be verified with the official AEGM card (see card example below). Monitors of active tourism, sports clubs, and private or public organizations are not certified guides! This has been a problem in Spain, where unqualified people pose as qualified guides. This is professional intrusion and it is illegal!
Don't let this happen to you, ask the guide for his credentials before starting the activity to be sure you are paying for what you will get. Confirmation of a certified guide will also give you the peace of mind that your guide has the proper training and knowledge to minimize the risk and make your experience enjoyable.
If your guide doesn't have the official certified AEGM guide card (seen below) you are taking extra risks before even starting your trip. Proceed with extreme caution. Better yet, hire Rich Griffeth and go with Bigtime Aventura! He is a native English speaker and fluent in Spanish. Communication between client and guide is vital, especially when you're in terrain that is outside of your comfort zone! Communication with the locals is also essential. Join Rich for all your outdoor adventures in Spain.
