Nathan Carmichael might have been born at sea level in Bermuda, but he aspires to work at much higher elevations.

Mr Carmichael, 23, is currently studying to become a professional mountaineer.

He moved from Bermuda to Valencia, Spain with his parents when he was nine years old. Valencia is on the eastern coast of Spain and is three hours outside of Barcelona. Like Bermuda, it is mostly at sea level elevation.

“We are near the coast, but the area where we live is hilly,” he said. “When I was younger, my mother, Lorna, would take me out hiking with an organisation that was based in Valencia. We explored different parts of Valencia, and I was introduced to rock climbing.”

He is currently taking a course that is teaching him how to safely guide groups across the hills and mountains of Spain.

His dream is to climb Mount Aneto, the highest mountain in the Pyrenees. It is the third highest mountain in Spain and is 11,168ft high. He almost climbed it last winter.

“I fell short because there was a blizzard coming on,” he said. “There were icy conditions. People who were coming down from the mountain said it was going to take two to three times as long to get to the top. I had a bit too much weight in my back pack. I probably could have made it, but I turned back. I am going to try again, though.”

He said mountain climbing can be challenging for someone raised at sea level.

“If you do a lot of sports at sea level you are at less of a disadvantage,” he said. “Once you get up a couple thousand feet you start to feel the difference, especially when you are doing strenuous exercise.”

But Mr Carmichael said he loved being in such a challenging environment.

“I like the energy of being in those areas and doing that sort of activity; to walk in snow instead of on dry earth,” he said. “I am trying to build up my experience and expertise right now.”

He studied in the hospitality industry when he finished high school and found that he loved being outdoors. He was working for a catering company when his life took a slight detour.

“We did catering events for a modelling show,” he said. “One of the representatives saw me and said to give him a call.”

After that Mr Carmichael appeared in advertisements for Levis, Sidecar and also local advertising promoting designers and stores in the area. He even did a little cat walk work.

“It is not something I have taken too seriously,” he said. “I enjoyed it and it is something interesting to have for future years to look back on.”

Ultimately, he is interested in business management and would like to run a little mountain retreat of some sort.

“It would be amazing to have one of those mountain refuges,” he said. “It would not be a five-star hotel, just something basic, cheap and cheerful and focus on the actual activities. We would have to see what the area and market is like.”

He thinks he might take on a second job teaching English as a second language, as a back up for the slow times in the tourism season.

“I’m teaching English now, on an informal basis,” he said.