I first got into mountaineering when I was in the Army, but had always loved the outdoors even from an early age. I then joined the Army Cadet Force in 2001 & my friend in that organisation soon got me walking with the Adventure Training team. I did my Walking Group Leader Award (WGL) in 2002 & I will never forget the elation of being told that I had passed. I'm sure it kept me awake during the drive home as I kept repeating to myself that "I can lead groups!!!". However I was not content with leaving it there & was quickly pushing for my Summer Mountain Leader Award (ML). I passed this with relative ease as I had been out at least once a week to ensure I passed (as they say in the Army, train hard, fight easy). My next step is the Winter Mountain Leader Award (MLW). I became a Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) & I have also passed the Rock Climbing Instructor Award (RCI). With my Summer ML I have been lucky to work in some beautiful places both in the UK and abroad in Africa, India, Peru and many other places.
All in all, I can honestly say I love every minute of being in the hills (regardless of the weather) & the fact that I am an instructor means I can pass my knowledge & enthusiasm to other people. Nothing gives me greater satisfaction when I lead people up a mountain for the very first time in the hope that they too will catch the mountaineering bug. I'm also a provider for the Mountain Training Hill & Mountain Skills courses, Lowland Leader Award and the Expedition Skills Module as well as the new Rock Skills courses. I am also a Outdoor Discovery Award (ODA) Provider for the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS)