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Bruno Yates

Guide
Bruno Yates

Hometown

Annecy, France

A bit about me

I grew up on the island of Jersey, in the UK, where a childhood spent swimming, sea kayaking and running on the coastal paths fostered a lasting love of the outdoors. I now live in France, on the shores of the beautiful Lake Annecy. Running has been a constant fascination since my teenage years, at first hooked on the physical challenges of harder and faster, and then the great sense of well-being experienced when everything starts to flow.

My other life

I still work as a mountaineering instructor in the UK and overseas. I’m an Associate Instructor with The Outward Bound Trust and work for a number of expedition companies, leading groups in the mountains of Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Japan, India, Morocco, Namibia and next year, Kyrgyzstan!

In my free time

Annecy is the ideal place to indulge in my passions for biking, swimming, rock climbing, canoeing and skiing. Fairly new to the area, I’m spending quite a lot of time seeking out the best boulangeries, pâtisseries, crêperies and fromageries!

Fun fact

A chance encounter on Mont Blanc with a beautiful French girl has shaped my life – and will for many years to come, as we got married and now have three kids!

Favorite Alp trail run

It might have to be the simplicity of being able to run out the door, skirt the north end of Lake Annecy and run up the steep end of Mont Veyrier, at first through dense woodland and gradually thinning until… wham! Suddenly, you’re hit with a stunning view down the lake from the Col des Sauts. A final push to the summit leads to a spectacular 2-km ridgeline along Mont Baron, then the run finishes with a descent to the historic Col des Contrebandiers.

Guiding since

2005

What our guests had to say

Bruno was great! He was so knowledgeable and kind! I know he had to probably stress over some re-routing when snow showed up in the days prior to our trip beginning. We did not stick to our intended route a couple of the days due to the weather but he was open and honest with communication about it and did a fantastic job of choosing alternate options.

Bruno was awesome. So well prepared and experienced with the area. He was willing to accommodate challenges we had or changes in plans. He attended to everything I needed and I felt safe and taken care of the whole time.