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I like to travel throughout the Alps at all times of the year from our base near Chamonix. The summer alpine mountaineering season is normally from June to September, but more and more people are now choosing to visit the Alps in the spring and summer inter-seasons, or climbing in winter when most other folk are skiing. What better way to beat summer heatwaves and increased levels of stone fall than by climbing out of season when conditions can be better and you can be far more certain of finding peace and solitude?

I have the flexibility to move around to find the best routes, conditions and weather for you. My alpine mountaineering is complemented with crag climbing, alpine rock climbing, ice climbing and skiing. Check out my galleries and social media to see the variety of routes we can achieve.

I was based near Saas Grund for 16 years, so I have particular knowledge of the Saas Valley and the surrounding area, including Zermatt. I can offer you far more than the regular trade routes, and take you on some of the more interesting climbs this region has to offer.

Summer alpinism is at the heart of my professional mountaineering. Over the years I have climbed the majority of the 4000 metre peaks as a guide, and of course, Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Eiger are popular objectives; as is the Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route on foot and on ski. However I particularly enjoy seeking out the less frequented areas and climbs that the Alps have to offer, and I’ve been lucky enough to have had opportunities to explore far and wide. In particular I have many years’ experience of the Eastern Alps including several trips to the Stubai and Oetztal and also visits to the Grossglockner, Grauspitz (Liechtenstein), Zillertal and Ortler Alps. These destinations are ideal for people who would like to enjoy luxury mountain huts and have a less strenuous holiday. I particularly enjoy exploring esoteric corners of the popular alpine regions that can be easily accessed in a short break from the UK, and I will seek to find routes that are off the beaten track, especially in peak season.

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British Winter Mountaineering requires a higher level of commitment and offers a greater challenge to the experienced summer walker. Climbs and mountains clad in snow and ice may seem daunting and even intimidating, but we can give you the skills and confidence you need to tackle new objectives and challenges. We have over 30 years’ experience delivering winter skills courses and guiding in Scotland, the Lake District and other mountainous regions. If you already have some experience and want to try something more advanced, we can help you.

Winter climbing and mountaineering in the UK is very special to me, and I enjoy winter climbing, mountaineering, walking and skiing in the Lake District whenever we have the conditions. I also head up to Scotland by private arrangement, which brings back memories of my early days as an independent guide when I established my Winter Skills Course programme based in Glen Feshie. As well as the Cairngorms, other climbing areas I’ve visited frequently in winter are the North West Highlands, Lochaber, Ben Nevis, Glencoe, Creag Meagaidh and Lochnagar.

I organise tailored winter courses and itineraries for individuals, couples and small private groups. This means you get just what you want, the programme will be tailored to your experience and requirements and it is also economical if there are two of you or more. Many people see mountaineering in winter as a step towards the Alps or Greater Ranges, or it could be an end in itself. With me, you will receive the training you need to give you a relevant experience. Given the conditions and a flexible approach, I offer instruction and guiding in the Lake District or any location of your choice.

Please get in touch to find out more or to discuss dates.

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There is a gradual transition to winter conditions meaning scrambling can be enjoyed in all seasons including in winter, when it might be too cold for full on rock climbing but we don’t yet have full on snow and ice conditions. Because the climbing is generally easy we can move fast and keep warm, but still enjoy good sport with more exposure and vertical excitement than hill walking, and we can use the footwear and equipment to suit the prevailing conditions. Scrambling in full on winter conditions becomes “Winter Mountaineering” with ice axe and crampons; and this is described as a separate activity in its own right.

Two of our most popular serious scrambling excursions that are both possible throughout the year are Pillar Rock by the Old West and Slab and Notch, and Dow Crag B and C Buttresses. We often use Jack’s Rake in descent after scrambling elsewhere on the Langdale Pikes, and of course the mega classic round of Swirral and Striding Edge on Helvellyn is ever popular. We favour doing this in winter under snow when it might be less busy and also require crampons, and we can make an atmospheric approach up Catstye Cam Gully.

The Napes on Great Gabel is a scrambler’s paradise and not far away is the imposing Scafell with a host more possibilities. The nearby Ill Ghyll is hard and reserved for the connoisseur of such adventures. Some of our favourites in the North Lakes are Lorton Gully, Grassmoor, Sandbed Ghyll and of course the easier and popular Sharp Edge.

These are just a few of the boundless possibilities and there are a huge number of hidden gems. It just goes to show that although it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to go on exciting, far flung trips, you don’t have to travel around the world to have a lot of fun! Some of the best adventures can be found close to home, and we are lucky enough to live in the English Lake District.

Our aim is for you to develop your own skills as a safe and proficient mountaineer whilst scrambling with us. People are often keen to learn about procedures and rope work for scrambling, roped moving together, placing protection, setting up belays and belaying techniques. We often combine a scramble with some abseiling to complete a full and varied day. You can come for a day, a weekend or longer,

We normally run this activity in the Lake District but we also have extensive experience mountaineering and climbing in the scramblers paradise of Skye, and we are always happy to discuss your plans for adventures in all parts of the UK and worldwide. Please contact us for more details!

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Sometimes choosing the best route in a new area can feel daunting, or you may be unsure of your navigational abilities. Perhaps you are looking for support with that challenge you have ambitions on. We have extensive experience of helping people in these situations in many locations in the world. If you would like to ensure that you get the most out of your visit to the mountains, please get in contact.

Whether you have a particular hill, mountain or route in mind, or if you want some ideas to ensure you have a genuinely enjoyable day walking, our in depth knowledge and experience can help you make the most of your time. Popular walks in the Lake District include the Helvellyn Edges, Striding and Swirral, Scafell Pike and the Langdale Pikes; though we recommend exploring the more esoteric and less frequented areas; for example above the Duddon or west of Buttermere. By understanding your aspirations and level of experience we match the route to you and the weather. We are always flexible out on the hill to accommodate individual needs.

Rebekah has competed in numerous mountain marathons and being an orienteer is generally fascinated by maps, so she is the right person to help you develop your navigational skills. This can include teaching you how to navigate in poor weather, how to relocate yourself if you get disorientated alongside gaining practical experience of route choice in mountainous terrain. We can practice these skills either up in the mountains or at a more leisurely pace on the lower fells.

If you’re thinking of walking with younger family members, our experience in engaging and inspiring young people to enjoy being in the mountains can help you get the most out of your family walking holidays. By choosing routes suitable for the children’s ages and ensuring that there is plenty to keep them interested all the way, we can ignite that love of the mountainous environment along with all the delights that can bring for their futures.

Whether you prefer to devise your own adventures or take on one of the more well-known challenges we can help you at both the planning and preparation stage and on the walk itself. We have supported both single and multi-day walks, from small groups of friends to large corporate events. Typical events we are asked to support include the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge (recommended over 2 days) as well as the ever popular National Three Peaks Challenge (we support teams on either the whole event or just Scafell Pike). If this is your thing we are happy to help you; please ask us for a quote.

Rebekah is an International Mountain Leader and member of BAIML. She is fully qualified to lead walking groups throughout the world including in the alpine countries. She can organise bespoke walking trips for you anywhere in the Alps and indeed worldwide.

Typical alpine assignments include:

• Accompanying family groups on walking holidays to ensure everyone stays safe and children are challenged and entertained but not overstretched.
• Orientation walks to help groups get to know an area when they first arrive, and help them plan the remainder of their holiday to make the most of their trip.
• Navigational support, either to teach people the skills or to guide groups who are not confident in their own route planning and navigational ability.

Needless to say, whatever your objectives and requirements, Rebekah’s wealth of knowledge and appreciation of the environment will truly enhance your walking holiday.

Please contact us if you’d like to find out more.

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Whenever winter conditions permit I provide winter skills tuition and guiding in climbing and mountaineering in the Lakes as well as in Scotland, and there’s even ski mountaineering here on those amazing, rare occasions when we have full snow cover! The incredible winter of 2010 was a wakeup call for me, and we had a fantastic time climbing and skiing routes we thought we’d never see in such amazing condition, right on our doorstep, literally. It brought home to me what a special place the Lake District is, and I resolved to spend far more time exploring here.

Climbers will be interested in choice and use of equipment, guidebooks, grades and choice of route, rope work, placing trad gear, building belays and belaying techniques, climbing technique and training.

In winter we add ice axe and crampon skills including self-arrest, snow craft, ice craft, snow, ice and mixed climbing, snow pack assessment, avalanche risk, use of weather and avalanche bulletins, and building survival shelters

I can introduce you to the Alps at any time of year from our base near Chamonix or anywhere else in the Alps by arrangement. I have connections going back many years with Saas Grund and have spent much time based there too. I can help you get to grips with the basic alpine skills including the use of ice axe and crampons, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, rope management, belaying techniques and movement on rock, snow, ice and mixed terrain. We also experience the huge scale of the alpine mountains and the pleasures of alpine huts.

Our winter alpine seasons are about skiing, ice climbing, mountaineering and snowshoeing. When skiing, in addition to the other general, winter and alpine skill sets, we tend to focus on the use of ski touring gear, skinning, kick turns, avalanche safety kit, transceiver searches, shovelling, probing, snowpack and avalanche assessment and glacier skiing.

Some of our course such as Navigation and Route-finding, Alpine Prep and Expedition Training are 100% skills focussed, but remember that we aim to offer skills training to participants in ALL of our courses and guiding.

Maybe there’s a particular area you want to work on, like mountain navigation, lead climbing or avalanche transceiver searches. Get in touch for a chat and we can design a course to your specific needs.

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During the season I ski for fun with my family, friends and clients. I like to mix off piste skiing, couloirs, day touring, hut trips and mountaineering with skis. Generally there’s some sport to be had on most days through the winter and spring, and being based near Chamonix for much of the season provides a wide variety of easily accessible venues in France, Italy and Switzerland.

A typical holiday in the Alps might include a warm up off piste skiing around the lift system, day tours and itineraries using uplift where possible to reduce skinning times, one day ascents of more full on peaks involving some sustained uphill work, plus maybe a hut trip to access mountains that cannot be climbed in a day from the valley. Many people hire me just for a day to ski the Vallée Blanche for example, or for a few days for some off piste skiing, some classic day tours or a short hut trip.

Both the Saas/Zermatt and Chamonix areas lend themselves to this approach, with a huge variety of objectives and great lift systems.

I also enjoy longer hut to hut trips such as the Chamonix to Zermatt Haute Route and touring in regions like the Bernese Oberland. I offer these trips, and more to all regions including the Eastern Alps, on a bespoke basis to small, private parties. A smaller guide to client ratio than you might find on off the shelf tours is beneficial, for example when it is necessary to do some climbing to reach a summit that might not be possible for a larger group. I am flexible to adapt the itinerary to your needs, for instance to climb extra peaks en route, to allow more days for detours or extensions, or simply to add extra contingency time to a tour as insurance against poor weather. My recent 6 day ski tours include 2 trips to ski Mont Thabor in the Massif des Cerces, and a variation on the fantastic Tour du Soleil, which is a classic linear tour in an offbeat region of central Switzerland, but on the Italian border and enjoying some very well appointed huts.

For nights spent in the alpine valleys in winter most people use either an apartment or hotel. Please ask us if you’d like help making your arrangements.

I’ve skied professionally and on days off with Annie Donovan, a BASI ISTD ski instructor, and I recommend her to anybody who would like the services of a top off piste ski coach.

I have extensive ski mountaineering experience in Greenland, and also in Svalbard and Antarctica. I’ve made 4 ski ascents of Gunnbjornsfjeld, the highest Peak in the Arctic, and in May 2006 made the first British ski descent from the summit. My ideal ski mountaineering expedition involves setting up one or more base camps and exploring the mountains surrounding each camp on ski, sometimes with some significant climbing with crampons to reach the summits. This epitomises what I love to do: explore less frequented mountain areas on my skis!

Please get in touch to discuss your next ski trip!

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We can deliver a concentrated climbing course, aimed at those with some winter experience who wish to learn to look after themselves safely on winter climbs, and progress onto more difficult routes. You may be graduating from more general mountaineering or transferring from rock climbing. Some previous roped experience on multi-pitch climbs would be useful, though not essential. The vital winter skills will be revised and practised as necessary, with greater emphasis on belaying, placing all kinds of protection and ice-craft on steep ground. We will address the subjects of navigation to and from our climbs, route finding, and dealing with problems which could arise during the ascents. However, the course will focus on the routes themselves. The climbing will be at a technical standard to suit the participants’ needs, but at whatever grade, the low student ratio will mean our choice of route is unrestricted. The 1:2 ratio will enable you to work together as a team, under close supervision, to gain the skills and experience you need to tackle graded winter routes. There will be the opportunity to lead pitches with your tutor alongside you to instruct, advise and assist if required. You may also like to try some harder climbing on the “blunt end”, maybe even one of the “Classic Grade Fives”. Every effort will be made to use the prevailing conditions to their best advantage, and if we have several days booked we will visit a variety of climbing areas to sample both snow/ice and mixed/buttress routes.

Contact us now if you’d like to take you winter climbing to the next level!

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We can work on everyday climbing rope work skills, learn self-rescue techniques and how to deal with “situations”, and we can tackle specific technical issues that concern you. I will help you gain confidence to go out and do your own thing and help you improve your climbing. Or I can simply guide you on the routes of your choice. Scroll down for a summary of our most popular courses.

If you’re looking for an instructional course you should ideally come along with your intended climbing partner(s) so that you will learn to work together as a team under close supervision to gain the skills and experience you need. You should come as a pair for Rock Climbing Leader courses and as a group of two to three people if you do not wish to learn to lead. However if you are coming alone and wish to lead, I can usually find an assistant instructor at no extra cost. This means there is someone else to belay you whilst I concentrate on supervising your gear placements and keeping you safe.

Topics will be chosen to suit the course and particular individuals. They may include: choice and use of equipment; guidebooks, grades and choice of route; procedures and rope work for single-pitch and multi-pitch climbing; technique and training; abseiling; placing protection; setting up belays and belaying techniques; dealing with problems, getting out of “situations” and self rescue. We will use graded rock climbs at an appropriate level, and might need to address mountaineering problems such as navigation to our selected objective.

I lead the courses myself, on dates to suit you, and courses will be tailored to your experience and requirements. Courses will normally be held in the Lake District during the spring, summer and autumn but may also be possible in the winter depending on the weather.

For accommodation, most people either camp or use local B&B or self-catering accommodation. The B&Bs generally also do packed lunches and evening meals if required. Sometimes it is possible to arrange accommodation in a climbing “club hut”. I can make all the arrangements for you and confirm the price. Please enquire regarding availability of dates.

Our most popular courses are:

Introductory rock climbing and abseiling.

This can be for a day, a weekend, or you can take a week or course of 3 weekends to progress to leading. You might be experienced at the climbing wall and want to transfer your skills to outdoor crags, or maybe you’ve done some walking or scrambling already and fancy a go at climbing. Whatever your background we seek to provide you with a safe foundation on which to build your future climbing career, and to provide you with the basic skillset to get started. This will be tailored to your needs and might be teaching you how to set up top ropes safely so you can go away and practise safely by yourselves, it might be guiding you on some introductory climbs and demonstrating the basics of safe belaying and gear placement, or if you know the fundamentals from the climbing gym it might mean we focus on gear placement and building belays so you can make a quick transition to the fantastic world of outdoor climbing.

Learning to lead.

If you already have the basic experience and want to start leading on sport or trad routes come for one or 2 days to learn the basics, or longer to experience a greater range of crags, styles and rock types!

Coaching for improvers.

I can help you fine tune your equipment, improve your protection, work on your technique and consider training. I would look at your rope work and belaying, starting from basics (e.g. linking anchors) through techniques for multi-pitch climbing to more advanced techniques. We can cover double rope technique if appropriate. We will look at placing of protection including all sorts of modern gear, and cover finding the placements and getting the best available placement in various situations. We can also look at avoidance of compromising “situations”, extrication from these if they do occur and self-rescue techniques.

Advanced rope work techniques and self-rescue.

Learn how to get out of the difficulties you might face if things don’t go according to plan when you are climbing.

Classic climbs in the Lake District

… and not only in the Lakes! We can offer guided ascents anywhere. I have climbed extensively throughout the country, and for example, have organised “classic climbing holidays” to the sea cliffs of the South West (where I used to live) and to the other end of the country – the Old Man of Hoy. We have extensive experience mountaineering and climbing in Skye and are always happy to discuss your plans.

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I travel all over the world when I have the chance, and I’ve been fortunate to visit many mountain regions. These trips further afield include: the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Andes; Himalayan Peaks in India, Nepal and Tibet; the Karakoram of Pakistan; the Pamirs (Kyrgyzstan) the Polar Regions including Antarctica, Greenland, Spitsbergen and Iceland; Puncak Jaya / Carstensz Pyramid in West Papua (formerly Irian Jaya); Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, the highest peaks in Africa; and not least some winter climbing in Poland and Slovakia.

I have organised 2 private professional expeditions to Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro for clients. In total I’ve led 6 trips to Mount Kenya including the 2 guiding my own private clients, and climbed 7 of the peaks of Mount Kenya including Batian, Nelion, Lenana, Point John, Midget Peak and more. I’ve led routes including the Diamond Couloir with the Headwall, Ice Window, North Face Standard, Normal route on Nelion, South Face Route on Nelion. However, most of my expeditioning is in association with other expedition providers to offer clients professionally led trips to the Greater Ranges and Greenland.

I’ve led several trips for Lake District based Adventure Peaks including ascents to the summits of Everest, Lhotse and Mount Vinson in Antarctica. I also helped them with their Ski the Last Degree to the South Pole expedition in January 2012.

I led Tangent Expeditions ski mountaineering trips to the Arctic over a period of many years. These expeditions are usually to Greenland, but have also included skiing in Iceland and to the summit of Newtontoppen on the island of Spitsbergen, the highest point in Svalbard.

I’ve made 4 ski ascents of Gunnbjornsfjeld, the highest Peak in the Arctic, and in May 2006 made the first British ski descent from the summit. I have particular knowledge of the Watkins Mountains and Liverpool Land, having travelled to both regions on several occasions. Trips are usually in the spring ski touring season, but I’ve also been out in winter when it can be rather cold! Our Greenland expeditions have made many first ascents and descents, and are of an exploratory nature for people with a sense of adventure. A colourful trip with a difference was in 2005 when I provided the safety cover for the Channel 4 production “Ian Wright’s Excellent Adventure”, working with top mountaineering cameraman Keith Partridge, and of course the celebrity Ian Wright. Ian’s challenge was to pull all his things in a pulk (sledge) to Gunnbjornsfjeld, and then climb it. (Ian’s passion in those days was golf, and certainly not mountain climbing!).

I continue to enjoy exploring new places, and although hardly an expedition as such, in 2019 we made an extended road trip to the USA, a first for me exploring a wide variety of destinations and sampling some of the finest rock climbing on offer there.

There have been considerable obstacles to working in Europe since Brexit, which unfortunately have impacted my ability to work as a guide in the Alps. This has prompted me to focus on UK based activities and expeditions outside of Europe once again. 2022 found me guiding in Central Asia (Peak Lenin) for Adventure Peaks, and also on the Antarctic Peninsula, both being new and exciting destinations for me. In 2023 we were busy climbing, alpine / expedition / crevasse rescue training, scrambling, and mountain walking including the National and Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge events. I had expeditions to Morocco (Mount Toubkal), Kyrgyzstan (Peak Lenin), Georgia (Mount Kazbek), Nepal (Himlung Himal) and Mount Kenya, all with Adventure Peaks. In 2024 I successfully guided Lhotse (8516m, the world’s 4th highest mountain), led trips to Peak Lenin and the Ala-Archa region of the Tien Shan, and was guiding again in Nepal in the autumn, where Rebekah was leading a trek. Exciting times!

In 2025 we were in the Lake District, Kenya, on Puncak Jaya / Carstensz Pyramid in West Papua, the Tien Shan / Kyrgyzstan and Nepal.

We’d love to help you plan and prepare for your own trips by sharing our wealth of expedition experience and knowledge with you on one of our Expedition Training courses closer to home. Please get in touch to discuss your plans.

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