Bergschrund in the French Alps 

 

I have a background in mountaineering and fell-running which has taken me all over Europe. ( See Gallery page )

The Lake District has always been my greatest love and i have walked, or run, all the Wainwrights at least twice with many more repeats of the popular peaks

        Safely home after an 18 hour ice route  

 

Although i have climbed all over the UK + in Europe I believe the Lakes has the best, easily available, variety of climbing in the country. I have climbed, walked, run and worked here for many years and have an in-depth knowledge of the fells and crags from a personal and group-management point of view. 

                                                         Recovering after a 20 mile fell race

Although i enjoy all aspects of climbing from alpine to bouldering my main passion is traditional climbing ( using protection placed by the climbing leader en-route ) and this was the inspiration behind moving to live in Cumbria in 2003

Sitting atop the Troudale Pinnacle

 

 

Instructing and coaching hold a genuine interest for me having given up work as a Police officer in Preston to become a  freelance outdoor education instructor. Introducing new people to the sport, either as a one off experience, or as the start of a life long passion, has always given me a real feeling of satisfaction.

 

 

         An outdoor climbing session

 

 

I also have an academic and practical background in sports coaching up to degree level. In addition to this I have been trained in the specifics of climbing coaching by Neil Gresham. Neil is widely recognised as the foremost authority on climbing coaching in the country. See further details hereThese skills, combined with the strong professional ethics from my work at an outdoor education centre, mean i am uniquely placed to provide a professional, knowledgeable and flexible approach to each client's needs.