I have been a keen hill walker for many years, and nine years ago joined a local hiking group called COPA. I soon got involved in organizing group walks and before I knew it had been made events coordinator. As I started looking for new and interesting places to take the group I began venturing further afield into the wilder, more remote areas of Wales. When I heard about the Hill & Moorland Leader Award (then the WGL) it seemed the perfect way to learn more about the countryside I love so much and to gain the confidence and experience to lead others.
Over the years hill walking has progressed to mountaineering and climbing, I’m a member of the South Wales Mountaineering Club and climb with them as often as possible, enjoying many summer evenings on the sea cliffs of Gower. The club owns a hut near Llanberis which I use at every opportunity as a base for mountaineering, or climbing in the Ogwen Valley. I especially enjoy the challenges of winter mountaineering.
I was very proud to pass my HML award, it’s something that I started doing as a hobby, but progressing through the course training and getting into the outdoors to achieve all I needed to for the award made me realize that hill walking and mountaineering had become much more to me than just a hobby.
Up until this point I had worked for 17 years as a press photographer, but in what was a rapidly changing industry I decided to take the plunge, quit my job and concentrate on completing my ML with a view to working professionally in the outdoor industry.
I set up my own company called Muddy Boots Hiking, taking people on guided hikes all over south and mid Wales, and also started working as a freelance both in the UK and abroad as a guide and expedition leader.