Claire Janigo

International Mountain Leader.

I grew up in Bellingham, a small town nestled in the Cascade mountains of Washington state, USA. My father, an Alaskan, passed on his love of the mountains and outdoors from an early age. My mother, a french ex-pat, was the inspiration for my initial six-month exchange to France. I came with the aim of immersing myself in the language and culture. But, at the end of this exchange I arrived in Chamonix for a two week ski vacation and, like many others before me, I fell in love with the Mont Blanc Massif.

I’ve been living in Chamonix since 2012 and count myself incredibly fortunate to work as a hiking and running guide. It’s a great pleasure to share the story of this beautiful area and how its history has shaped the lives of people and animals living here. When not in the mountains, I work as a sports massage therapist, helping outdoor enthusiasts to recover, so they can get back out and continue playing.

Trail running has always been a part of my life.  It began with running around the park with my dad and signing up for 2km runs with the family; I then ran cross-country in high school but never enjoyed the emphasis put on competition. For me, running is about the time spent outdoors. Since moving to Chamonix my running evolved from personal pleasure to running ultra-marathons which I choose based on the different mountain ranges I’m interested in exploring. I try to never run the same race twice; still not driven by competition, I run for the discovery of a new trail, the unique flora and the stunning views.

I love guiding, as it allows me to share the beautiful outdoors and the rewarding experiences with other people. The mountains can be challenging (and dangerous) at times, but with the right information and planning they are accessible to everyone.