In reply to schneibe9:
Hi Korin,
I'm an ML (Summer) and an aspirant IML. I work part time as a freelance mountaineering and expedition leader in the UK and overseas (Europe, South America, Africa, Asia). I've also got an office job to earn enough money to pay the bills! My aim is to take early retirement in a few years with a reasonable pension and supplement that with my freelance earnings.
I've found that I can get quite a bit of work with just my ML, and surprisingly, more than I have the 'free' time to do. I do this by contracting with 'adventure travel' companies to lead their clients on UK & overseas trips. Through this I've met many other leaders who are doing the same as me. However, I've not yet met anyone with just an ML who's making their living entirely through this route - although that's not to say it's not possible.
I choose to work freelance on contract to other companies because I avoid all the admin hassle. I just turn up and take people on a journey. I know others who have set up their own businesses to do the lot - that's not for me. That involves loads of hard work doing your own admin, marketing, advertising, getting clients, etc.
For me the IML award gives an extra edge to secure more contracts and that qualification is also what I need to work as a Mountain Leader (accompagnateur de moyenne montagne) in France (my wife wants us to retire there); where it's a legal requirement for leading in mountainous, non-glaciated environments. The glaciated areas are the exclusive domain of the Mountain Guide (aka 'Mountain God' as noted by others earlier!). France also has other requirements, e.g. equivalence, but that's another story!
However, I've not yet met anyone who works in the USA with UK/International qualifications. The USA is a member of the IFMGA (the Mountain Guides professional association) but all the guides I've come across seem to work mainly in Europe or the Greater Ranges (e.g. the Himalayas).
So, to answer your questions!
Like you, I found good advice on options hard to come by. I gained this by going through the process of gaining my ML and by hours of Googling followed by countless emails to travel companies touting my services. From all my searching about Mountain Leader job opportunities I've never come across anything to do with the USA. What I do find worth noting is that the IML insurance policy (through BAIML) specifically excludes work in the USA!
What I would suggest is that you contact either Plas y Brenin (www.pyb.co.uk) or Glenmore Lodge (www.glenmorelodge.org.uk) and speak to the folks there. They're both National Centres full of massively qualified and experienced people who will be best able to give you the advice and guidance you seek.
Good luck!
Yours,
Steve