Simone Dettwiler

Switzerland

Hi, my name is Simone Manuela Dettwiler, but I'm better known as Simi. I was born in 1971 in Schwarzenburg, Switzerland (which is located in the Canton Bern), but moved to Oberdorf in Canton Basel Land in 1975. The funny thing is that I still live with my parents, but I just can't leave because the place is so nice and I'm rarely there anyway. Here's the chronological order of the jobs I've had since then: 1987-88: Nanny in Lausanne (French-speaking part of Switzerland). Since I couldn't decide what to study, my mom encouraged me to take this job at a Tea Room and I was glad I did because I realized how great it is to speak foreign languages. 1988-91: Business School in Liestal, Switzerland. I still wasn't sure what to study so I enrolled in this program because there was lots of free time. 1991-93: Nanny in Coral Springs, FL. Taking care of two wonderful kids, probably the best two I've ever met. 1993-95: Hotel Receptionist: First in Vitznau, Lake Lucern; Castillina in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy; and then in Cala Liberotto, Sardinia, Italy. It was here in Sardinia, that I adopted a taste for fine food and wine, not to mention Italian lovers (but this later changed...) 1996-97: Sales department in a steel company in Birsfelden, Switzerland. This was the world of ‘tough guys'. 1997-2000: Watchband buyer in Hölstein, Switzerland. This was the first time I had the same job for longer than one year. 2000-01: For 19 months, I took off and traveling around the world. In the USA, I visited almost every National Park out West, and on the Cook Islands, I sat in the sand and enjoyed ‘sun and fun'. In New Zealand, I cycled for six months, pedaling mostly into a strong headwind. Australia was a very enjoyable part of the trip, even though I hate spiders and snakes; and it was in Agentina that I began climbing, at a climbing wall in Cordoba. 2002-Present: Customer Sales and Service for Black Diamond AG, in Reinach, Switzerland. They were looking for a Climbing and Outdoor enthusiast, and I thought that was perfect for me and it actually still is!

Birthday? 01/02/1971 Year you first started at Black Diamond? On my birthday, 2009. But luckily, they gave me this day off.

Memory/story of your first week at Black Diamond? Well, on my second day, I sat all alone in the office. Everyone else was at the trade show in Munich! After 2 days, a lot of the customer knew me already, since all I could do was answer the phone and tell them that I was new and didn't know anything. And yes, there was this huge pile of orders to file that my ex-colleague had left me.

What does working at Black Diamond mean to you? No day is like the other, and I get to use my language skills.

If you weren't working for Black Diamond, what would you be doing? This is written in the stars.

Worst job you've ever had? A vacation job at the age of 15. For 2 weeks, I had to screw boxes of screws on and off a thread.

Do you have any pets? Yes and no. My parents have a dog and a cat, so I guess I have some as well.

Favorite sports/activities? Swimming, Climbing, Rollerblading, Skiing, Running, Cycling. From time to time surfing, Partying, being lazy, lying in my hammock reading a book. And don't forget the cold beer, travelling, and lots more.

Favorite climbing area and why? None in particular, but Sardinia was very nice. Rock and water, that's the perfect mix.

Best climbing/skiing experience? My tour on Aiguille du Midi with Tormod.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? I've already done it, 18 months on the road. But since then I haven't seen a lot.

Guilty pleasure? If it's a pleasure, then no guilt. What/who inspires you? Swimming daily at 6 in the morning, that's when I have the best ideas.

What's in your iPod? My whole music collection, about 1700 Songs. Three things you'd never travel without? Credit card, Passport, Mobile Phone.

Superstitions? No

What's your dream job? Dream job? What's this? It doesn't exist. If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? 3 Norwegians

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? No comment. Those who need to know, already know about it.