Upward Transitions Institute
About Us
Contact Us
Reviews
Trip: Mexico Volcanos
Guide: Victoria G., Brian J.
I had the BEST time on the Mexico Volcanoes Trip in January 2025 with Victoria and Brian. The trip was well planned & structured, but both Victoria and Brian were adaptable and flexible whenever the need arose (weather changes, an urgent care visit, etc.). This was my first ever mountaineering trip and I felt safe & well prepared to attempt a Pico de Orizaba summit once the time came. It was abundantly clear that both guides had excellent rapport with every local team we came into contact with, from drivers to hosts at the locations we stayed. I cannot recommend Upward Transitions enough to anyone (especially women) looking to gain mountaineering experience in a supportive, fun, and educational environment. I feel like this adventure helped me gain the momentum, confidence and hands-on skills needed to tackle future mountaineering objectives. And if you go to Mexico specifically, expect to pet a ridiculous number of cute dogs, eat all the tacos, speak a lot of Spanglish, and fall in love with Mexico City. If you're considering signing up for a trip, take this as a sign - JUST DO IT!
By Jessica P. on January 23, 2025
Trip: Women+ Mountaineering Leadership 5-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
By Heather V. on August 27, 2024
Trip: Women+ Mountaineering Leadership 5-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
By Anna M. on August 21, 2024
Trip: Women+ Mountaineering Leadership 5-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
It was AMAZING! Victoria and Hannah were so knowledgable and supportive. I feel like I walked away with so many new skills, confidence and friends.
By Bryanna B. on August 19, 2024
Trip: Women+ Mountaineering Leadership 5-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
Vic and her team have perfected a mountaineering course that not only hones your technical skills but also fosters personal growth and empowerment while having tons of fun! The course has a genuine focus on empowering women and increasing our space in alpine activities. The guides (Vic, Izzy and Hannah) are all skilled mountaineers, who are passionate, caring and really inspiring. They created a space where you feel encouraged to push your limits, celebrate your achievements and learn from every challenge. The curriculum is structured to gradually increase in complexity, allowing you to develop your skills incrementally. By the end of the course, you'll feel more confident in your mountaineering abilities and in your capacity to tackle new heights. The Women's Mountaineering Leadership course is such an empowering journey. If you are seeking community and a well structured curriculum to enhance your mountaineering skills, pick this program. I left the course with new friends, new climbing partners, more confidence and a restored sense of connection with the natural world. Highlight of my summer! I'm looking forward to more of your courses in the future. Thanks! Jacklyn
By Jacklyn F. on July 31, 2024
Trip: Crevasse Rescue 1-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
The Crevasse Rescue Course was great. I learned a ton of technical and useful knowledge, and the group was lot of fun. I recommend it!
By Fernando A. on July 23, 2024
Trip: Crevasse Rescue 1-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
Victoria is a great guide and instructor. The day was really well planned out with everything given in nice, bite-sized chunks. The atmosphere was very accepting of all skill levels. I feel very confident with my future climbs knowing that I now have some solid safety skills in my tool belt.
By Preston M. on July 21, 2024
Trip: Women+ Mountaineering Leadership 5-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
By Grace D. on July 19, 2024
Trip: Women+ Mountaineering Leadership 5-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
The trip of a lifetime honestly, Vic creates such a safe, supportive and fun learning environment and you get REAL skills and lessons that will keep you safe in mountaineering and on glaciers. Our group got really lucky with amazing weather, incredible humans and we even got to rappel into and be rescued from real glaciers on Mt. Baker, it was incredible! Outside of the mountaineering skills, there were a lot of amazing conversations around conservation and stewardship in the outdoors. This course is THE BEST and I would recommend it to anyone!
By Whitney W. on July 18, 2024
Trip: Women+ Crevasse Rescue 1-Day
Guide: Victoria G.
Well-organized course! Prior to taking this course, I was intimidated by crevasse rescue. Victoria was very thorough and explained all aspects of crevasse rescue in a confidence inspiring way. She incorporated a lot of hands on practice and real life scenarios to help us feel comfortable with using all our equipment. She was knowledgable about current conditions on mount baker. She supplied any extra equipment that people didnt have. She updated us on current safety practices for glacier travel.
By Katie S. on July 10, 2024