Sophie Jacob

Our ambassadors

Athlete

Originally from Savoie, a textile and materials engineer and ski patrol rescuer, Sophie is now fully dedicated to her career as a high mountain guide. An adventure enthusiast who pushes forward where the terrain gets serious — and where north faces bring out her biggest smiles. Her encounter with the mountains changed everything: after finishing her studies, she crossed the United States on foot via the Pacific Crest Trail: 4,260 km in complete self-sufficiency. Since then, she has pursued high-level mountaineering by joining the Groupe Excellence Alpinisme National (GEAN), while finding her balance in the Mont-Blanc massif: sharing, passing on her knowledge, and embarking on new projects.

Key Achievement

North face of the Grandes Jorasses: Gousseault Desmaison, in winter conditions
North face of the Grandes Jorasses: Colton McIntyre / Xtreme dream
North face of the Drus: Pierre Allain, in winter conditions
North face of the Eiger: Heckmair, in a single day
North face of the Droites: Lagarde direct, in winter conditions, in a single day

Future projects

North face of the Matterhorn in winter
Complete the High Mountain Guide diploma
Climb a demanding route on the south face of Mont Blanc

Interview with Sophie Jacob

3 words that define you as an athlete?

Passionate, ambitious, and full throttle!

3 values that define you as a person?

respect, courage, justice

Why do you feel you belong to the Cimalp family?

Cimalp is a family of mountain and outdoor sports enthusiasts, driven by a desire to make nature accessible to everyone. Its values of sharing and passion for sport really speak to me and give me the feeling of being part of the Cimalp family.

Your best and worst memory in the mountains — and why?

My best memory in the mountains… hard to say, there are so many. But it has to be reaching the summit of the Grandes Jorasses: stepping out of the shadow of the North Face after hours of climbing, and catching the last rays of sunlight.

My worst memory, probably on the Peuterey Integral where the trip ended in a helicopter after my climbing partner got injured. But everything turned out fine :)

What do the mountains inspire in you?

The mountains give me an infinite space of freedom. I express myself there both physically and mentally, carried by breathtaking landscapes.

The mountains are also — as a great man once said — about getting yourself into trouble and finding a way out. A school of humility, adaptability and clear-headedness.

What is your relationship with the environment and ecology?

The mountains are both my home and my workplace. I spend time in this environment that captivates me, I observe it, and I notice its changes. My relationship with ecology grew from this daily closeness to the terrain, far from abstract debates. As a guide, I share this awareness with my clients through lived experience, observation and respect for these fragile environments.

Another great passion or talent beyond sport?

Drawing and tinkering with my gear — like the engineer I am!