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Behind every great day in the mountains is skill, training and experience. Our blog opens a window into the professional world of Mountain Leaders — sharing learning, development and the interests that drive our work across the UK’s wild places.
Tal-y-Mignedd forms the usual turn-around for the Crib Nantlle / Nantlle Ridge. This is a popular route for those steady with steep terrain - however, there's a scramble or two to contend with. Until not very long ago, the land was previously private - closed to access and the route unavailable.
The UTS 100km race was descending into Rhyd Ddu as we climbed Y Garn and it was great to be able to support the runners who had been underway for well over 24 hours at this point. As well as litter-picking (there wasn't much but accidents do happen with tired runners) we also collected a struggling competitor who decided to "DNF" - discontinue - at Myndd Drws-y-Coed, 695m elevation. Fortunately they were able to descend under their own steam enabling us to continue to experience this magnificant ridge! For more, there's a fantastic landscape on Craig-Cwm-Silyn: check out our Gallery page!
Mountain Safety - Ultra Trail Snowdonia
We were posted to establish a support location below the scramble to the summit of Cnicht from midnight on 15th May to shortly after midday on the 16th. Cold temperatures made for challenging conditions and the weather deteriorated throughout early morning with rain moving in well before midday. Luckily, sunrise was picture-perfect! This shot was taken just a few minutes before the sun peeped over the horizon. For info, the silhouetted mountain is Moel Siabod.
Check out our Gallery to appreciate a larger version.
Edale Skyline
We delivered for Overlimits, hosting a charity event in the Peak District National Park. An early ascent of Win Hill was a great start to the day. The weather was tropical which began as humid and cool. Thermal uplift started after the sun began to show. This led to thundery conditions developing in the early afternoon. We watched as the risk develop and move into the hills, then a cool breeze signalled the arrival of rain. This strengthened as we traversed Kinder Scout and with a strengthening risk of electrical storm we elected to descend Jacobs Ladder. Luckily the adverse weather conditions soon passed and we were able to climb to Hollins Cross for a stunning view of Castleton for a finale. Around 19 miles.
Yorkshire 3 Peaks for Orange John
We led the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge for a second consecutive day! A small group of private clients made arrangements through Orange John.
At 25 miles and a vertical mile of elevation the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a challenge for anyone, let alone twice! Starting out at 06:30, departure was less than 12 hours following our most recent finish!
The more traditional approach for the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is to start from Horton-in-Ribblesdale. As we were walking along the road to Ribblehead Viaduct a car slowed-up as at passed and asked if we were climbing all three peaks. "Yes!" came the reply "Oh we did it yesterday" said the vehicle's occupants, "you'll really enjoy it". "So did I", I replied, which was met with incredulity "You utter mad-man!" they said and wished us good luck before driving away.
With our chosen route having set out climbing Penyghent first, the same mountain forms the finale, approaching Horton-in-Ribblesdale to finish. Cloudy summits, strong winds and cold temperatures made for a substantial challenge and two slight ladies of Indian background were more than a match for it, finishing in under 11 hours.
Yorkshire 3 Peaks with Orange John
Once again we were out leading on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge for Orange John, this time to support a fund-raising event for the Durham Veterans. Starting from Ribblehead Viaduct, climbing Whernside first made for a pleasant start to the day. Notably it meant participants made good progress early and set a fine pace for the day. The weather was varied, with moderate winds and cloud on the summits, which cleared for the final peak of the day, Penyghent and the hike back to Ribblehead in the warm evening sunshine was just super!
Yorkshire 3 Peaks for Orange John
Race-Day on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks added an extra interest to the route. We had set off hours before the runners and they caught us up by Whernside. The lead runners had gone through already. With such a warm spring day, there Y3P Challenge was additionally difficult. Runners and Hikers alike were both taking up the opportunity of an ice cream on the descent!
Hosting Private Clients on a bespoke 10 mile circuit of Penyghent
The end of April has seen a flurry of activity, including guiding private clients on Penyghent
Leading for Overlimits on a circuit around Horton-in-Ribblesdale & ascent of Penyghent
The spring weather can make for challenging conditions on the mountain tops. Through April and into May our 1/2-dozen ascents of Penyghent have been mixed - around 50-50 - with either spectacular views or heads-in-the-clouds. These create extremely localised weather conditions. Temperatures drop and wind-speeds increase with higher elevations and the clouds can bring anything from damp and mizzle through to localised rain. Then before long, as we descend, it's warmer, drier and calmer again, bringing a strange reverence for the summit!
Leading for Overlimits on a Circuit of Limestone Country near Settle
An Erratic forms the foreground to this image of the hikers crossing through limestone country near Attermire. A 10-mile circuit taking in Giggleswick Scar and Stainforth Foss, just two of the many outstanding natural landscape features that make this such an attractive route & then there's the natural history!
February '26 Expedition Manager Training with Sam Sykes Ltd
We're joining the Sam Sykes EM Team for the 3rd consecutive Year! It was great to meet this year's team of Expedition Managers, which has expanded significantly. Training consisted of updated Standard Operating Procedures and Best-Practice together with a First-aid refresher on AED's. This is an area that skills-fade just can't be let happen, while we're fresh on this (see below). Interesting to learn that where AED's may only have Adult size pads - or in the absence of a Paediatric switch / key, the advice was to proceed on adult settings with pads applied front-left, over the heart, to the centre of the back.
First Response Emergency Care FREC3
February '26
This week, we successfully completed the first part of the FREC3 Training. There's a few weeks remaining before part II of the course, giving plenty of opportunity for further study - which is good: there's lots to learn!
Dales Archaeology
January '26 We spent the day with a group of instructors, undertaking Continuous Professional Development through Mountain Training.
The specialist topic was Archaeology of the Dales. In the area around Malham and Gordale, we examined how humans had colonised the area; how communities had evolved and devolved with the flux of time how they had left their signature allowing us to reconstruct their story.
It was a great way to kick off our activities for 2026. While it generally rains 1 day out of 2 in the Yorkshire Dales, not only did we stayed dry (and the forecast wind-chill of -10 C never materialised) - we even saw some sun!