In 2025, The Sounds of the Dolomites will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Among the key figures of the event, we interviewed Gianni Canale, President of the Mountain Guides Association, who served as the safety coordinator for the festival for three years.
In this interview, Gianni takes us behind the scenes of his work and shares how the responsibility of one’s choices and actions is essential for living consciously and respectfully, both towards oneself and the surrounding environment.
Gianni Canale, Mountain Guide by Passion
What is the role of a Mountain Guide?
“There is a lot of work to do before the event,” Gianni explains. “Just before finalizing the schedule, we sit around a table with the Alpine Rescue and Trentino Marketing to assess whether the selected locations are appropriate and suitable for accommodating the expected attendees. Some places can host thousands of people, while in others, those numbers are not feasible due to safety concerns in the area, making them unsuitable in terms of both the territory and accessibility.” He adds that the Alpine Guide “also evaluates, based on their experience, the routes leading to the event location, which can range from easy to challenging, whether on forest roads or trails.” “Then, in the final 24 hours before the concert, it’s up to the Safety Supervisor Guide to make the final decision on whether or not the concert will take place, depending on the weather conditions.”
And during the event?
“The Alpine Guide has several duties. One of these is to coordinate the various teams, including the Croce Bianca, Vigili del Fuoco, and Carabinieri.” “They also pay attention to the concert area, determining where to place vehicles so that they are not visible but close enough to provide assistance if needed.” “Additionally,” Gianni adds, “the Guide demarcates the area to ensure that both children and adults do not get too close due to the potential risk of falling.”
Who are the Alpine Guides of Trentino?
“The Alpine Guide is a professional who is responsible for guiding passionate hikers along mountain trails, on ice walls, in the snow, or on skis. They play an intellectual role, possessing extensive knowledge of alpine techniques on all types of terrain.” “Becoming an Alpine Guide is very difficult because the certification course is a long journey, typically lasting about 120 days of training, during which there are exams on various types of terrain. It’s also very challenging from a technical standpoint, as the Guide holds significant responsibility. One of these is to accompany the client in the mountains, ensuring they have fun, learn about the territory, and,” he adds, “pass on their passion for the mountains. And as with all jobs, you can only transmit passion if you truly have it. No one becomes a guide because they woke up one morning and decided to. It’s a path that comes naturally. And generally, it happens because Alpine Guides are all former climbers first.”
How it happened to you…
“Thanks to my grandfather. I live in a small mountain village, perfect for children, and I’ve always wandered around here and there. My grandfather was passionate about the mountains, and he was the one who started taking me there when I was eight or nine years old. My first climb was quite interesting, on the Bocchette routes on Brenta. From there, I fell in love with the mountains, and to go climbing, I would even skip school.” This is how Gianni confides in us, laughing, revealing another little secret. “I was young, and there was nothing that came before mountaineering for me. And that’s how my girlfriend also left me, because I put her second. It was a tough thing.”
Do you remember the moment when you decided to become an Alpine Guide?
“It’s something that happened naturally after twelve years of practicing mountaineering, almost by chance.” He adds, “It’s not like something you say, ‘When I grow up, I’ll be a firefighter!’ Becoming an Alpine Guide is an evolution of love and knowledge.”
What is the most important thing that those who go to the mountains should remember?
“Knowing your own limits. If we’ve already been to the mountains, we need to know how to approach it. If we’ve never been, it’s a good idea to get informed properly or be accompanied by guides. Even a local person who frequents the mountains can give good advice.” He adds, “What’s generally lacking is self-responsibility. Many people are no longer able to take responsibility for their actions, and then they blame someone or something else.”
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