With a solid repertoire of outdoor skills including rock climbing, river guiding, and mountaineering, Leila Thompson surely lives the life of an adventurer. Since the early 1990s, she has led trips for us in Nepal, India, Tibet, Republic of Georgia, Canada, and Europe, and shows no sign of stopping. “One of the most wonderful things about guiding for me is starting a trip with a group of strangers and finishing with a group of friends,” she says. Through travel, she has fulfilled some of her passions such as environmental stewardship and engaging in the local culture of each place. Leila is also conversant in German, Nepali, and French, and is attempting to learn Italian! When she is not guiding, Leila works as a nurse at the local hospital in Bend, Oregon, where she lives with her husband (and fellow WT guide!) Sean Morrissey, and enjoys cycling, hiking, climbing, skiing, and her latest sports addiction—pickleball.
Our second trip with Leila—she's an amazing leader, calm, collected, tactful, manages group dynamics, and handles all situations with ease. She has so much knowledge about trails and huts in the area, and was able to come up with alternate plans when needed. She even speaks Italian and German well enough to get around and translate for us! Very much appreciated how organized and thoughtful she is. Leila is a gem.
I can’t think of an evaluation area that Leila doesn’t get the highest marks possible. She is that amazing combination of capable, skilled, and experienced yet making you feel like you are on a trip with your best friend. There were several times during this trip when I saw Leila make decisions on the fly that kept the trip moving smoothly and a positive experience for everybody.
As a guide, as a person, Leila is truly out of sight, out of this world, one of a kind.
Leila's love of people and willingness to share her knowledge is wonderful. She is a gem and has the gift of making people feel special.
Leila is one of the best of the best, period. Her countenance is unbelievable—she adds positive energy at all times. Everybody loves her!
Leila is a wonderfully positive, fun, and exceptionally knowledgeable guide. She was welcomed warmly everywhere we went, which meant that our group was taken care of with lovely attention and care. Her warmth and care translates to exceptional service from proprietors as well as shepherding the group from place to place and keeping things moving with ease and grace.
Leila is absolutely delightful, caring, and kind. One of the best trip leaders I have ever had—and I have taken many trips!
Leila seems to thrive on going above and beyond, providing outstanding service and attention to detail.
Leila is a delightful, interesting, and knowledgeable woman. As a leader, she was superb—organized, upbeat, communicated clearly, and generally fun to be with.
Leila is a very experienced, compassionate, and gifted leader.
A terrific guide and so much fun to be with!
Leila is a fabulous trip leader! She was enthusiastic, warm, genuine, knowledgeable, fun, and truly a joy to be with for the entire trip.
I have nothing but good things to say about Leila. She is a true star—very fun and personable and always makes you feel at home.
Leila was very knowledgable, capable, a multitasker, camp mother, liason, friend to clients and crew, respectful, tactful, energetic, able to keep us on track and provide options. She took excellent care of us and showed us her love of the country, its people, and the culture. I felt totally safe in her hands!
Leila's knowledge of the language and customs was phenomenal and enriched the trip immensely. She's also an exceptionally kind and caring person—and fun, too!
Leila is the best in the business! She manages, organizes, provides with ease and humor.
Leila was the best...very professional and caring. She went above and beyond to make the trip successful.
Leila's knowledge of the Khumbu region and her connection with the people there made this trip extraordinary. She is a true professional and the reason I chose this trip!
Leila is truly the best. She is continually mindful of what hikers want and need to have a fabulous experience—a true professional leader.
Leila was the best trip leader I have ever had. Her knowledge of the trekking region and of the people and their history was amazing.
Leila did an amazing job on all counts. Her knowledge of the geography, history, and culture really enhanced the trip, and her fun and outgoing nature was a real bonus.
I can't say enough good things about Leila. Her experience and knowledge of Nepal made a great trip outstanding. She was greeted as a local everywhere we went, providing us with unique insight into the lives of the Nepali people.
Leila’s an excellent guide. It’s a bonus that she’s a registered nurse!
Can’t say enough great things about Leila. She is one of the best guides I’ve had at WT, which is saying a lot since you have so many excellent ones.
Leila is an easygoing leader who makes an effort to keep the group dynamics going well. She handles things effectively and got on great with everyone. Flexible when she needed to be, and let us make choices as a group.
Leila made a point of interacting well with everyone equally. She’s very personable with a great sense of humor.
Leila was both fun to be with and an excellent teacher. She did a great job of making us feel comfortable and welcome in the group.
On a scale of 1 to 10, Leila is 20. She excels at everything.
Leila tops any leader we've experienced in many years of travel. Her calmness, joy, and patience made the trip remarkable.
This was my third trip with Leila—always an amazing leader.
Leila is a wonderful trip leader. Resilient, able to handle contingencies, and she relates very well to everyone.
Upbeat, fun, knowledgeable. Great awareness of the different needs of everyone.
I've traveled twice with Leila before and I think she's great. She brings a personal touch to her trips. I'd go anywhere with her!
