My Story:
Well a bit about me, I am an all-around outdoor instructor qualified to lead in the mountains, climb and teach. The mountains are not just my workplace but they are somewhere special I go to enjoy myself and recharge my batteries.
I have walked and climbed in many parts of the world, but I'm yet to go to the Southern Hemisphere, Patagonia and New Zealand are high on the go-to list.
What's my favorite mountain:
It's hard to say, I love Scotland, its splendor, the remoteness, and lack of crowds, but The Alps are a big draw, crossing glaciers and scaling 3000-meter peaks over several days can't be beaten. Back in the UK - The Black Cullens, Skye is magical and as close to alpine as we will get in the UK.
What's my favorite piece of kit:
A pair of Outdoor Research gloves, they live in my rucksack all year, light enough to keep the chill off hands in a chilly breeze and warm enough to withstand a full-blown white out on The Cairngorm Plateau.
How was I introduced to the outdoors:
As a teenager, I decided to try and climb a crag, no kit, and no idea, and sure enough, I fell off, fortunately not too far, but did land in a bed of nettles - ouch. At that point, my mother decided I should learn to do it properly and thanks to supportive teachers a love of the outdoors was born and now all these years later it's my job.
What other Outdoor Sports:
As well as a qualified Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor, I'm qualified to take people, canoeing, kayaking paddleboarding, and on two wheels mountain biking.
How do I fill in my spare time:
When I do not have to cut the grass or keep up with household chores then it's the mountains. Anything from a day walk in Summer to an overnight expedition in winter.