I have loved the outdoors all of my life. Introduced at Grammar School to the Lake District by means of the "Hike and get wet club" I soon discovered rock climbing and since then it hasn't been "never looked back", more "always looked up".
As my rock climbing career developed I progressed to winter climbing and then skiing. Now I still do all of these as well as admitting to being a fell walker, mountain biker and road cyclist, occasional fisherman and golfer, gardener and backpacker! In my spare time I'll walk my dog, fix bits of the house and get distracted by the internet.
I teach evening classes in Hill Skills and Navigation as a qualified adult education tutor, I work as a freelance instructor on the fells showing them how to navigate as well as be safe and appreciate their environment. I am also an assessor and trainer for ML students and an assessor and supervisor for DofE.
For thirty years I was busy raising a family and running my own outdoor shop Freetime climb + ski in Carlisle. Now, having sold that business I genuinely have the free time to get out into the hills more often and pass on my years of experience to others wishing to learn.
When conditions permit I also have time to do winter routes in the Lakes, ski tour in the Lakes, Alps, Norway and Scotland and fit regular walks up some of the quiet and secret fells of Lakeland.