An International Mountain Leader (IML)is a person recognized and qualified to accompany, teach, support, and instruct their clients—whether for a fee or as a volunteer—in all mountain areas worldwide, regardless of season or altitude, up to the limit of permanent snow (glaciers).
Exceptions: Areas with permanent snow (glaciers) and terrains where technical mountaineering or climbing equipment is required for progression are excluded from their scope of practice.
Glaciers may only be crossed occasionally along nationally or internationally recognized hiking trails that are maintained as such, where a rope and harness are not required for progression.
The International Mountain Leader must possess the technical knowledge necessary to use technical equipment in case of an emergency but does not have the competencies to lead groups on routes that require the planned use of technical equipment.
Competencies of an International Mountain Leader:
- Summer mountain hiking, on marked trails, but also off-trail (ridges, edges, and easy gullies that do not require technical gear);
- Winter mountain hiking with snowshoes.
Excluded from an International Mountain Leader’s competencies:
- Any form of skiing (ski touring, cross-country, or downhill);
- Any form of mountaineering (on snow, ice, or mixed terrain);
- Any form of rock climbing with technical equipment (climbing or via ferrata).
In Romania, the IML training, recognition, and CPD (re-validation) program is organized exclusively by the SGLM, the only professional organization in the country affiliated with UIMLA.
Find out how you can qualify as an International Mountain Leader.
Once authorized, an International Mountain Leader practices the profession based on the laws and regulations of Romania, as well as those of the countries where they operate.
To maintain their international authorization, an IML must participate in a periodic re-validation and CPD program, as defined and approved by UIMLA. UIMLA.