Viviana Callahan is a mountain guide, outdoor educator, and expedition leader with extensive experience guiding and instructing in some of the world’s most remote mountain and polar environments. Originally from Punta Arenas in Southern Patagonia, she developed a deep connection with mountains and wilderness at an early age, a passion that ultimately became her profession and lifelong vocation.

Although she studied Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, Viviana has dedicated most of her professional career to leading expeditions and teaching mountaineering skills throughout the Americas and beyond. Her work combines technical expertise, leadership development, risk management, and a commitment to helping others discover their potential through meaningful experiences in the outdoors.

As part of Leadership Expeditions and Vertical’s programs, Viviana contributes her extensive experience in expedition leadership, outdoor education, and mountain safety. Her ability to lead teams in challenging environments helps participants develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and decision-making skills while exploring some of the world’s most remarkable natural landscapes.

Throughout her career, Viviana has guided numerous expeditions on iconic mountains including Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Denali in Alaska, and Aconcagua in Argentina. Her experience also includes polar expeditions and wilderness travel across a wide range of mountain environments, making her one of Chile’s most accomplished female expedition leaders.

In addition to her guiding work, Viviana serves as a senior mountaineering instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), teaching courses in Patagonia, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Wyoming, Yukon, Mexico, and India. She is also an instructor for the Chilean National Mountaineering School (Escuela Nacional de Montaña), helping train future generations of mountain guides and outdoor professionals.

Among her most notable achievements, Viviana was a member of the First Chilean Women’s Expedition to Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), the seventh-highest mountain in the world. She has also participated in exploratory expeditions in Patagonia, including first ascents of previously unclimbed peaks in Chile’s Southern Patagonia Ice Field.

Viviana holds FEACH Mountain Guide and Instructor certifications under UIAA Level II High Mountain standards and continues to be actively involved in mountaineering education, expedition leadership, and wilderness instruction worldwide.

Today, she lives in Coyhaique, Patagonia, where she continues to pursue her passion for ski mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, and exploring the mountains that have shaped her life and career.