About
Filippo Forti
My name is Filippo Forti, an aspirant Alpine Guide registered with the Collegio Lombardo delle Guide Alpine.
I started going to the mountains at age twenty, with brand-new boots and no experience. I wanted to climb Mont Blanc: I turned to a guide — Ezio Marlier — who, over the course of three outings, gave me the skills to go out on my own. That way of imparting knowledge without creating dependency has remained my guiding principle ever since.
The journey
From passion to profession
In the years that followed, I climbed walls, explored increasingly challenging routes, and met people who became mentors and companions. I was fortunate enough to learn from those who knew more than I did, and to give back whenever I could.
I learned that every wall has a story — who opened it, with what ethos, what it meant — and that knowing it can add a deeper flavor and meaning to a practice that is already fascinating in itself. I realized that the rope is not just a technical tool: it binds people together in a way that is hard to explain to those who haven’t experienced it.
Turning all of this into a profession wasn’t a calculated move, but the only direction that made sense.
Commitment
Mountain Rescue
I am a volunteer with the Mountain Rescue Service, at the XIX Lariana Delegation. The mountains call even when it's not the moment we would have chosen — and answering that call is part of how I have decided to live my life.
How I work
The approach
I guide people from all walks of life in the mountains, as long as they’re willing to push their boundaries. I work with small groups because I believe in giving each person my full attention. I’m committed to creating collaborative environments where we learn together without unhealthy competition. What matters here is skill, not where you come from or who you are. My goal isn’t to make you dependent on a guide, but to give you the tools to move forward on your own — or with me, if you’d like to continue this journey together.
Since 2012, I’ve used this site to share the climbs that have meant something to me. Here you’ll find years of stories, reflections, and itineraries — the record of a journey that’s still unfolding.
The professional qualification
The trainee alpine guide
By law, Alpine Guides and aspirant Alpine Guides are the only individuals authorized to lead and instruct in mountain environments. The aspirant Alpine guide certification requires 1,200 hours of training and exams. After two years of working as an aspirant, it is possible to obtain full certification as Alpine Guide — Master of Mountaineering.
Got a project in mind?
Whether it's a specific ascent, technical training, or just a vague idea — email me. We'll start from there.