I grew up in the south east of France, the Maritimes Alps, in the immediate proximity of both the Alps and the Mediterranean. While my family was fondly immerged in the cultures of the sea, I discovered in middle school the joys of backpacking in the alpine national parks and started exploring mountains by ways of backcountry skiing, rock and alpine climbing, canyoneering, mountain biking, and trail running. In 2008, I took advantage of a teaching sabbatical to complete the federal training to be a rock-climbing guide and coach. I received the French “brevet d’état” (Federal Certificate), which allowed me to work in parallel of my teaching position as an independent worker for multiple guiding companies in the south east region of France. Over two decades I have had the privilege to climb in Spain, Italy, Southern France, and in majestic American destinations such as Yosemite National Park, Red Rocks, Nevada, in Utah, Wyoming, Kentucky, and all around Colorado.
In 2009, with my climbing partner we founded a climbing school that is still today one of the most dynamic youth program in the area. We proposed affordable team practice in the small climbing gym we built and “adventure” climbing (backcountry skiing, ice and alpine climbing and rock climbing) to 75 young adventurers.
Laurent Cilia 