About us
Welcome to Ibex Mountain Guides
Ibex Mountain Guides is the creation of husband-and-wife team Owen Samuel and Rocio Siemens.
We are a small company based in Villars-sur-Ollon, Canton Vaud, Switzerland. We specialise in delivering mountaineering and ski experiences in the European Alps and British mountains. We also occasionally run trips to far-flung places around the world. We are both fully qualified IFMGA Mountain Guides, the highest professional standard in mountaineering competence worldwide, with a sum of over 30 years’ experience guiding and instructing.
The Ibex Team
Rocio Siemens
In mountaineering, there’s always the next summit, the best line, the latest project. I love sharing these challenges, finding them all over the world, from Norway to Chile, via Kenya & Alaska.
My favourite ski mountaineering experience to date has to be the incredible Bugaboos to Rogers’ Pass Grand ski traverse in the Columbian mountains in Canada. A very memorable 12-day epic ski traverse over some of the most magical landscape on Earth. Keeping active as a mountaineer is key to keeping safe, so I find I am constantly pushing my grades and searching for new adventures. One of my favourite playgrounds is Scotland in winter, where I have ticked off several classic lines on the Ben, including Point 5 gully. I have also climbed eleven classic Grandes Courses in the Alps, including the North Face of the Matterhorn.
Owen Samuel
From climbing technical routes in the greater ranges of Alaska, Peru, Patagonia and the Himalayas, to mixed winter climbing on Ben Nevis, Scotland, I’m happy in all aspects of mountaineering.
Whether introducing newcomers to the mountains or climbing in far off lands with long-standing clients, enthusiasm and energy are always running themes. Skiing has also taken me to various places in the world. Whether it’s a personal expedition ski touring in British Colombia or skiing with clients throughout the Alpine regions of Europe. Exploration is an on-going theme. The continuous search for interesting and new places to go rock climbing has seen me travelling far and wide. From the remote cliffs of the Outer Hebrides to the sun-kissed granite at Land’s End. In the Wadi Rum, Jordan, I have made first ascents of rock climbs. Some of the best rock climbing I have done recently has been in the Lofoten Islands of Norway.