Gideon Zadoks, International Mountain Leader

Who is Gideon Zadoks ?

Born in the Netherlands, but living in France for almost two decades, I’ve been hiking, cycling, trekking, trail running and climbing in the mountains as long as I can remember.

Nowadays I am a certified International Mountain Leader, trained and registered in France and member of the UIMLA (Union of International Mountain Leaders Associations)

My guiding activities are trekking, trail running and snowshoeing in Europe and Africa.

Speaking French, English, Dutch and the basics of a few other European languages I can guide my clients in various countries.

“I studied architecture, but afterwards I realised I wasn’t made for a desk job. So I started working as an expedition leader in the African deserts, jungles and mountains. Next I became involved in relief aid, doing logistics and security for NGOs and the United Nations.

Back in Europe I started my own wood and furniture workshop but my main focus was on outdoor activities: climbing, running ultra trails and other endurance sports. So becoming an International Mountain Leader was an evident choice. During treks and trails with small groups I’ll try to take you off the beaten track, to make you discover your own surprising capacities and to widen your knowledge and awareness of our magnificent surroundings”

Trail running

Trail-running is my favorite way to experience the mountains. The combination of travelling light & fast, exploring technical terrain, ridge running & scrambling is hard to beat. I’ve enjoyed a decade of ultra-trail competition with a preference for the 200-mile distance. These days my focus is on training others and improving their possible capacities.

Most of the trail-running trips I’m guiding have been developed with my partners 360Explore and MudSweatTrails. But of course I’m open to organise a special trail running trip or trail camp for you and your running friends in the Alps or elsewhere. During these trips we’ll dive into the physical, psychological, material and security aspects of trail-running.

I'm a certified trail-running trainer (Université de Toulouse & CNSNMM)

My favorite race results:

A 2nd and a 4th place in the PTL (le Petite Trotte de Leon, a 300km, 27000mD+ race)

My 10th place in de Tor Des Geants (a 330km, 28000mD+ race)

A 2nd place in the Grand Trail du Nord (150km, 2200mD+)

Trekking

Trekking in the mountains is one of the most rewarding activities:

-Taking our time while hiking and contemplating the scenery while we are trekking from mountain refuge to mountain refuge.

-Being self-sufficient and sleeping outside, under the stars or in a tent on a self chosen spot during a camping trip off the beaten track.

-Searching for wild animals which might suddenly appear just next to us.

-Enjoying the sunrise and sunset with mountain views is an unforgettable experience.

For 360°explore I’m guiding several treks but we can also conceive a special trek for you and your group. Wether luxurious or camping, we can provide all material.

My favorite areas:

-Massif des Ecrins, a rough national park in the French Alps.

-The Vercors,a hidden limestone gem in France.

-The magnificent Grand Paradiso in the Italian Vallée d’Aoste.

-The always surprising Moroccan Atlas on the edge of the Sahara.

-The unknown and hard to access Drakensberg in South Africa.

Snowshoeing

In winter when the landscape has turned white, snowshoeing is thé way to discover the mountains.

Tracks or trails don’t exist anymore and even just outside ski resorts there is a stunning world waiting to be explored. I’ll guide you on a low intensity daywalk or a hard multi-day trek in this snow covered world.

We can use mountain huts, cabins or even build and sleep in a snow shelter during such a trek.

I’ll teach you how to use your safety equipment and how to deal with winter circumstances in the mountains.

Of course snowshoes and safety equipment can be provided.