BAIML - The British Association of International Mountain Leaders

The British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML) is the professional body which represents British International Mountain Leaders who are either fully qualified or who are working towards the full International Mountain Leader (IML) qualification. BAIML oversees the registration and professional standards of those operating as IMLs, provides an annual carnet issued by the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) , and has established an annual continuous professional development cycle to ensure that the IML is appropriately qualified for the work that they do. BAIML has the power to investigate any allegations of professional misconduct, and can take appropriate disciplinary action where necessary.

British IMLs have been assessed in the skills required for leading walking parties in mountains both in the UK and around the World. BAIML has over 400 members, of which over 360 hold the full IML Carnet. You can find a list of members available for work in the BAIML Online Directory (left) or by clicking here.

The IML qualification is recognised by the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA), an international governing body administratively based in France, representing the interests of IMLs in Andorra, Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. UIMLA has established a common platform standard for the skills and knowledge required of those choosing to lead individuals and groups in the mountains around the world. The IML qualification broadly covers leading groups on trekking and mountaineering activities where the skills of alpinism are not required, i.e. off-glacier and permanent snow, and where the planned use of a rope is not required. IMLs can be found leading groups on high altitude treks and the major walking paths of the World’s mountains, and (where the IML is appropriately experienced and qualified) on snow shoe treks.