Having just graduated from university with a degree in ecology, I found an interesting job at the University of Corte. After a few years, my passion for the mountains and climbing prevailed.
The call of the rock was irresistible and I left the walls of the university for the vertical walls of climbing.
A change of career, while remaining close to nature, seemed obvious to me. So I qualified as a mountain leader and climbing instructor. I trained with various agencies before becoming self-employed and creating the Altipiani agency.
At the time, there were only two qualified climbing guides in Corsica: Valérie and me, Agnès. Valérie didn't work as a guide, she had another job. So I became the only woman in Corsica to guide people in climbing, canyoning and hiking.
There hasn't been a woman in Corsica doing all three for twenty years. So you're climbing with the only female climbing, canyoning and hiking instructor.
But don't think I'm proud of it: on the contrary, I would have been happy if this somewhat "macho" world had become more feminine over time...
I’m not a guide who leads, but a guide who accompanies.
Learning my trade has taught me rope techniques, belaying and progression, but that’s not enough to make me a good guide.
How can we flourish if I don’t meet your expectations or if I don’t become a partner in the moment? Thanks to our exchanges, we are progressing together and my job is getting its full meaning.
Maybe that’s what women’s climbing is all about.
