There is no doubt that the mountain environment is changing. On the evenings I have spent in mountain huts, invariable the conversation will at some point get to a somewhat resigned discussion of what has been lost and how things are changing. Huts conversations are most often multilingual, but the debate about the environment, through gesticulation, is easy to understand. As the ski season shortens, glaciers retract and summer routes become less passable due to the instability of rock in the ice, humans need to find a balance between the economic value of the guiding and tourism versus the environment. As glaciers retract and become a dirty brown as the rock from under is churned through the exposing ice, we build roads to get closer access. As the routes become less accessible, we use helicopters for quick ascents, and as the ski season shortens we create manmade snow. Can these actions be the answer?

The number of guides qualifying is in decline, and yet the job is perhaps becoming more and more difficult. The guides have a near-impossible task of balancing the expectation of the clients with respecting the changing landscape and the increased risk. Companies of younger guides are now emerging with a new marketable environmental approach, car sharing for clients, carbon offsetting, instance on human-powered ascents. To protect their livelihoods guides are diversifying to offer canyoning, or paragliding etc. An excellent guide, one that has a lifetime of experience in the mountains move as if they are part of the landscape; they inherently understand the changes that are occurring and are certainly part of the future solution.

Most mountaineers aim to climb specific peaks; often, these are the most known and recognised summits. As humans it feels natural to move forward and up, nailing the summit is a clear mark of achievement, but perhaps to protect our mountains we need to move away from the manmade idea of conquering and find satisfaction in the sense of being in the mountains. Talented guides are passionate and knowledgeable about the geography, geology, wildlife flora and fauna of a mountain, all leading to an enhanced experience for the client. They understand the intangible feeling of just being; this is a hard message to package to tourists who want to summit bag, who want an instagramable experience. Still, as tourists, we must learn to understand how we can change to ensure the awesome mountains are to be enjoyed for many generations to come. We must let go of the idea of summiting and learn to be fulfilled by the essence of just being in the greatness of mountains.