Expeditions

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; Carstenz Pyramid in 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 3 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 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 have been busy climbing, alpine / expedition / crevasse rescue training, scrambling, and mountain walking including the National and Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge events. I have expeditions scheduled to Morocco (Mount Toubkal), Kyrgyzstan (Peak Lenin), Georgia (Mount Kazbek), Nepal (Himlung Himal) and Mount Kenya, all with Adventure Peaks. Exciting times!

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.