PERSONNEL FILE · 12 ACTIVE GUIDES
The Roster
Every Switchback guide holds an internationally recognized certification, a current wilderness-medicine credential, and a minimum of eight seasons in the field. No trainees lead rope teams.
01 /
Mara Voss
EXPEDITION DIRECTOR · FOUNDER
Mara founded Switchback in 2011 after nine years guiding in the Alps and Karakoram. She wrote the company grade system, still leads two departures a year, and personally interviews every Grade 5 applicant.
| CERTIFICATION | IFMGA / UIAGM |
| MEDICAL | WFR · CURRENT 2027 |
| SEASONS | 19 |
| EXPEDITIONS LED | 214 |
| 2026 ROUTES | KARAKORAM · PATAGONIA |
02 /
Field Personnel
Dario Quispe
LEAD GUIDE · ANDES
UIAGM · WFR · 14 SEASONS · 38 ICE CAP CROSSINGS
Ingrid Solheim
ARCTIC OPS · SCANDINAVIA
NORTIND · WFR · 12 SEASONS · POLAR NAV INSTRUCTOR
Tenzin Bhote
HIGH ALTITUDE LEAD · ASIA
NNMGA · WFR · 16 SEASONS · 11× 8000M SUPPORT
Cole Merrick
LOGISTICS · EXPEDITION MEDIC
WEMT · AIARE 2 · 9 SEASONS · SUPPLY CHAIN LEAD
Aiyana Cruz
ROCK / ALPINE · AMERICAS
AMGA ALPINE · WFR · 10 SEASONS · SIERRA ROUTE AUTHOR
Jonas Keller
ICE SPECIALIST · EUROPE / AFRICA
IFMGA · WFR · 13 SEASONS · RWENZORI ROUTE LEAD
03 /
Certification Floor
These are minimums, not targets. A guide who lets any credential lapse comes off the departure schedule until it is current. The board below is audited every January.
| ROPE LEAD | IFMGA / UIAGM OR NATIONAL EQUIV |
| MEDICAL | WFR MINIMUM · WEMT ON G5 |
| AVALANCHE | AIARE 2 ON WINTER ROUTES |
| EXPERIENCE | 8 SEASONS BEFORE SOLO LEAD |
| RECERT DRILLS | CREVASSE RESCUE · EVERY APRIL |
The client is never the strongest person on the rope. That is the whole job.
M. VOSS · GUIDE MANUAL, PAGE 1
Work the line
We hire two guides per year, by referral or by resume with a full expedition log attached. If you meet the certification floor, dispatch will route you to Mara.