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Jorg and Heather Wilz
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ABOUT
ONTOP
OnTop is owned and operated by Jorg Wilz, Internationally
Certified Mountain & Ski Guide (UIAGM / IFMGA), who also guides most
of the trips. Jorg's wife Heather as well as our friends Ann Vanier and
Karin Stubenvoll help with logistics and administration.
Mountaineering, trekking and backcountry skiing in Europe,
Canada and the US is where most of our expertise lies - the Alps and the
mountains of the North American West are our home turf!
However, on a custom-trip basis, we offer trips to any mountaineering destination
in the world.
OUR TRIPS
We offer a wide selection of scheduled programs/courses
as well as
Our trips range from non-technical treks to extreme mountaineering
and climbing ventures. Our itineraries are designed to sample the highlights
of each destination. For lodging, we mainly select family owned B&Bs,
hotels, lodges and huts with local ambiance and home cooked food. For our
European trips, some of our clients keep coming back just for the multi-course
dinners and the wines!
OUR
CLIENTS
Our clients are mainly English speaking,
with the majority coming from the US. With a return rate of over 80% many
of our longtime clients don't mind to be contacted to give a second opinion
on trips that you might be interested in or give references for our guides.
WHY
BOOK WITH US:
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UIAGM
/ IFMGA Guides Badges |
- Certification/Licensing:
Jorg and alomst all OnTop guides hold UIAGM / IFMGA
certification - the highest certification available internationally for mountain
guides. At times, we also use Assistant Guides or "Guide Aspirants"
who have passed exams on their way to full UIAGM / IFMGA certification. If
so, we adhere to the supervision and terrain guidelines of the Canadian Mountain
Guide Association (ACMG) and the UIAGM / IFMGA. For non-technical trips (hiking
/ backpacking) we also use ACMG hiking or backpacking guides or in Europe
non-certified guides if they are under close supervision by fully certified
mountain guies.
- Permits/Legality
All European alpine countries as well as Canadian
National and Provincial Parks require commercial mountain guides to hold
UIAGM / IFMGA certification to ensure public safety. Guides that have not
completed their full UIAGM / IFMGA certification must be supervised by a
fully certified guide. Many guide services, namely in the US, largely violate
the certification requirement outside of the US, which could lead to a rather
abrupt end of your trip, if you were out with the wrong guide. Ask your
guide for his/her valid UIAGM / IFMGA guide's card. Our guides have it!
- You know your Guide
Your guide is the single most important factor for
a fun and safe trip. You will be in touch with your guide / course instructor
early on in your trip planning to discuss trip details and to ensure compatibility.
We also encourage our clients to obtain references from former clients by
e-mail or phone before committing to a trip.
- Direct Communication:
We don't mind the extra effort to e-mail or talk
back and forth to make sure a trip is right for you or a custom itinerary
meets your expectations.
- Local Knowledge/Foreign Languages:
Our guides are local experts, with many years of
experience in particular areas. Consequently, they are well familiar with
local culture, language and mountain conditions as well as suitable alternatives,
if ever the conditions dictated a change of plans.
- Insurance:
Our guides hold valid liability insurance through
their professional guides associations.
Feel free to get in touch, no matter if you are seriously interested in mountaineering or skiing with
us or if you just want to get some information about your personal trip to
the Alps or the mountains in North America.
Enough sales talk - let's go climbing!
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