Working in the Moutnains was, from a young age, my one and only goal. From as long as I can remember our family holidays revloved about being in mountainous areas in the UK and Europe. This was the start of mine and my sisters Wounderlust... We would spend hours flicking through guide books, maps and old copies of National Geographic. We simply enjoy planning trips and "expeditions". Some times we were actually allowed to go through with these plans, with parental permission and support... Weather it be backpacking on the Pennine Way or tackleing one of the Alta Via in the Dolimites these experencesd pre 18 were solid foundations I still reffer back to even now after working in the outdoor sector for over 20 years. As a dyslexic accademia was never going to be a great fit however using dyslexia as a super prower rather than a crutch I opted for a further education route that suited. i found my self in Pembrokshire on an Outdoor Studies and Sports Science course. in between 1st and second year i secured a placment at Cape Adventure (Previously the John Ridgeway Adventre School) and this was a remote, tough and hugly exhilerating experience. Operating 20KM south of Cape Wrath really made you atuned to the "what if's" and dynamic behavoiurs and really drove home the need for prep and planing skills again that added to my foundations.
so Post 20 what have I done.... Gained my Winter ML by the time I was 25, Lead 23 over seas Expeditions and counting, worked in full time roles for the two biggest expedition providers in the UK, worked for the Swiss Brand Mammut and embarked on a philentropic give back by returning to the Scout accociation as an adult assessor maintianing the high standards needed to take young people out in the hill and Mountains, weather it be climbing or walking. Full Circle... ;-)