Chile Mountain Guide was founded in 2022 by a passionate mountain guide, Mattias Vargas Bielefeldt, and a nature conservation professional and outdoor enthusiast, Liza Nagode. A couple met in Chile in 2020 and with time decided to unite their diverse experience, knowledge, and passion for mountains, to establish a company offering the finest mountaineering adventures across Chile.
The mission of the Chile Mountain Guide is to provide high-quality, unique experiences for our clients and inspire love and passion for mountains and nature.
Small client-to-guide ratios
Our client-to-guide ratios are small, which allows us to maximize the success and safety of our tours and expeditions, and provide personalized service to our clients. It is important for us that you have a fun, comfortable, and safe experience in the mountains, which can sometimes surprise us with harsh and changing conditions.
Sharing our knowledge
We inspire our love and passion for mountains by sharing knowledge. Our guides are committed to not simply help achieve your objective, but also teaching you about different mountaineering techniques, usage of equipment, terrain conditions, etc. so that you can become more competent in the mountains.
Nationally certified guides
Our guides are certified by ANGM, National Mountain Guides Association in Chile which trains mountaineering professionals through their school run by the internationally recognized technical commission. They are also committed to maintaining a policy of constant improvement and training for all members.
Our team
Liza N.
Liza N.
Liza is a Co-Founder of the Chile Mountain Guide and a nature conservation professional, passionate about the outdoors, mountains, and sports. She is currently working full-time with the Charles Darwin Foundation’s Development team, while also managing client relations with Chile Mountain Guide. Before joining CDF, she worked as a Public Relations and Fundraising Assistant at Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda in Mexico and as an Equestrian Manager at Estancia La Margarita in Argentina.
Born and raised in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Liza obtained her undergraduate degree in International Relations from Skidmore College in the U.S. and a graduate degree in Conservation Science from Imperial College London in the U.K. She lives in Pucón, Chile.
Mattias V.
Mattias V.
Mattias is an ANGM-certified mountain guide (ANGM – National Mountain Guides Association in Chile). He has been guiding professionally for over a decade in alpine and ski mountaineering.
Mattias was born in Osorno, Chile. In 2012 he moved to Pucón to initiate his studies as an Adventure Tourism Guide Technician (mountain focused) at La Frontera University. In 2014, once graduated, he completed his first professional exams to start working as a mountain guide in the volcanoes of southern Chile, mainly in the Villarrica Volcano and others in the region of Araucaria and Los Lagos. Meanwhile, Mattias continued studying, obtaining accreditation as a wilderness rescuer, WAFA – WFR, as well as a Ski Patrol license from an Argentine association – AADIDESS, including American for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level I and Level II. This enabled him to continue his professional development as Ski Patrol at the renowned Santiago ski center and resort, El Colorado. He is currently continuing his IFMGA training at the Center for High Mountain Studies, CEAM – AGMP in Peru.
During his career, Mattias has had the opportunity to ascent various mountains throughout Chile, from the extreme north to the southernmost part of Patagonia, as well as a range of mountains in Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, France, Italy, and Australia (the latter was focused on rock climbing). Notable summits include Mont Blanc (France), Ojos del Salado (Chile), Puntiagudo Volcano (Chile), Cabeza del Condor (Bolivia), and others.
When not on expeditions, Mattias lives in Pucón.
Leonardo B.
Leonardo B.
Leo, as his friends know him affectionately, comes from Santiago. His journey began with studies in Literature, but it was amidst the mountains that he felt a calling. This realization led him to pursue a career as an Ecotourism Technician, where his love for mountaineering and climbing deepened.
Over the span of two decades, Leo has cultivated his profession as a mountain guide, always advancing his knowledge in first aid, snow science, and avalanche search and rescue. Further enhancing his expertise, he obtained certification as a Guide/Instructor in Mountain and Rock Climbing through the National Mountain School (ENAM for its acronym in Spanish). This accreditation paved the way for his active membership in the Chilean Mountain Guides Association (ACGM for its acronym in Spanish) and the National Mountain Guides Association (ANGM for its acronym in Spanish) for more than a decade.
Leo’s adventurous spirit has taken him to climb in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, New Zealand, and across Chile. His diverse experiences include numerous mountain skiing and climbing expeditions, the opening of new climbing routes, and active involvement in various rescue missions.
Richard M.
Richard M.
Richard is certified by the National Association of Mountain Guides (ANGM), with over 14 years of experience exploring and leading expeditions across Chile’s diverse natural landscapes.
Throughout his career, he has guided people from different countries and skill levels on journeys ranging from high-altitude treks to technically demanding ascents. He is also specialized in ski mountaineering, particularly on the volcanoes of southern Chile.
Richard also works as a mountaineering instructor, collaborating with clubs, universities, and mountain schools in training programs that take place year-round in the field.
He holds a degree in Adventure Tourism from the Universidad de La Frontera, is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and has certifications in Avalanche Education Level 2 (Avalanche Canada), advanced skiing, and is a national ski guide aspirant (ANGM).
Matías C.
Matías C.
Born and raised in southern Chile, Matías developed a deep connection with nature and mountain sports from an early age, inspired by a childhood surrounded by countryside and forests. His motivation led him to explore mountains and places he had always dreamed of reaching.
As a certified mountain guide by the National Association of Mountain Guides (ANGM) and Chilean Association of Mountain and Climbing Guides and Instructors (ACGM), his career has taken him on ascents throughout Chile, as well as climbing experiences in Argentina.
He currently works mainly as a guide on the volcanoes of the Los Lagos region, including Osorno, Calbuco, Puyehue, and Puntiagudo, among others, cultivating his passion for adventure sports and his connection with nature.
José R.
José R.
José is an IFMGA-certified mountain guide and an active member of the National Association of Mountain Guides (ANGM) in Chile and the Mountain Guides Association (AGMTB) in Bolivia.
He took his first steps in alpine climbing in the Italian Alps, where he completed numerous solo ascents on classic European routes, including Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, Grand Capucin, and Lyskamm, among others.
During his training as an IFMGA mountain guide, he also gained extensive experience in Bolivia’s Cordillera Real, achieving significant ascents on rock, ice, and mixed terrain at high altitude.
In Chile, José has a profound knowledge of the country’s mountains and has accomplished remarkable climbs in the Central Andes, Cajón del Maipo, and Patagonia, including the North Tower of Paine, Almirante Nieto, and the Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin).
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