I love anything to do with the mountain environment. If I'm not working in the outdoors I can usually be found on/in the crags, hills or ghylls of the Lake District which I call home. I moved here after completing a degree in Outdoor Studies at the University of Cumbria and never looked back! Since then I have split my time between the Lakes, Scotland and the Alps, always looking for the next adventure. I have a passion for climbing, mountaineering and skiing, which has taken me to some incredible places with many amazing people. I am very grateful to be able to share this with a wide range of people and love seeing them progress and develop their own skills, so that they too can experience everything the outdoors has to offer.

Qualifications: Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor

Splitting my time between North Wales and Lake District, you can nearly always find me out in the mountains. Whether I'm climbing, mountain biking or fell running, I try to get out and enjoy every day as much as I can. I'm well known among friends for having a seemingly endless supply of energy and psyche for the outdoors. I reckon have the best job in the world; getting to take others into the environment that I love and teach/guide/coach them towards finding their own inspiration in the mountains. When not in the hills, you can find me out walking with my dog or hiding from bad weather in a workshop in the Lake District, where I have a small woodwork company.

Qualifications: Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor, Mountain Bike Guide

Website: Alice Kerr Mountaineering

My Story #12: Alice Kerr, Outdoor Instructor & Long Distance Runner

After twenty years teaching PE in secondary schools in Derbyshire, Newcastle and Northumberland, with 10 years as an Assistant Head, I set up my own outdoor business based in Newcastle. A 30 year passion for climbing remains undiminished, with 1000s of routes throughout Britain and Europe already 'ticked', there is still so much to do. I am happiest multi-pitch climbing in the Lake District, sport climbing on the Costa Blanca, or bouldering at Fontainebleau. I am Technical Adviser for Mountain Activities for a growing number of local outdoor activity companies in the northeast of England.

Qualifications: Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor, Development Coach (Climbing), Mountain Bike Trail Leader, Orienteering Level 1 Coach, Forest Schools Trainer Level 4, Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition Assessor

Website: Adventure Training North East

My Story #15: Jon Chamberlain, Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor and Business Owner

I’ve been climbing and mountaineering for over 11 years, and climbed through out the UK and abroad. I was introduced to climbing when I was in the  Royal Marines Commandos, and I decided to take it up professionally when I left the Marines. I have been to some amazing places and seen some breathtaking sights, all due to climbing.

Qualifications: Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor

After selling my business, I decided it was time to be ruled by my heart rather than my head and so followed my passion for being in the stunning outdoors with great like-minded people. Since then I have set up a business focused on getting individuals and groups into the mountains and reaping the many benefits of being outside in a fun and friendly environment. I also do some Mountain Leader freelance work as well as being a volunteer Warden on Snowdon. I live in Cheshire and so can usually be found in either the Lakes or North Wales…..or on the M6/A55! When I’m not out walking in the mountains, then I’m usually climbing or scrambling with a smile on my face somewhere in the UK. I’m fortunate enough to have my dream job that takes me to some beautiful locations with some fantastic folk.

 Qualifications: Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor

Based in the Lake District, I work throughout the UK and consult as a Technical Advisor in the public and private sector. During 18 years of coaching I've delivered training to NICAS, the Glenmore Lodge team, the British Mountain Guides and many other professional organisations. I'm a provider of the UK's Coaching Awards and deliver nationally recognised CPD for coaches. I've also published a book on climbing technique, plus coaching skills articles for UKClimbing and the Professional Mountaineer magazine.

Qualifications: Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, Performance Coach

Website: John Kettle

My Story #2: John Kettle, Climbing & Mountain Biking Coach

I have been actively involved in outdoor pursuits for over 25 years, initially through cycling then mountain bike racing and bike touring abroad. I am also a climber, runner and mountaineer, both in the UK abroad. During the last few years I have worked on outdoor product development/ testing for a few well known rucsack and lightweight kit manufacturers. My current work involves leading expeditions to Morocco, Peru, Patagonia and Tanzania involving jungle, desert, and mountains. Up until recently I have been lecturing at UCLAN Newton Rigg on the Outdoor Education Degree Course to 1st and 2nd year degree students.

Qualifications: Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, International Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor, Mountain Bike Leader

I've been hooked on the outdoors ever since my first climbing trip in 1987 - if there's crags, hills or mountains then I'm interested. In 2010 I sold my successful business to focus on outdoor adventures and I'm now lucky enough to do what I love for a living - and nothing is better than helping someone along on their own journey, be it their first time in the hills or on rock, someone wanting the skills to head out on their own - or just someone wanting a grand day out.

Qualifications: Mountain Leader, International Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor, First Aid Instructor, Gold DofE Supervisor & Assessor

Website: Mountain Services

My Story #3: Kelvyn James, International Mountain Leader

I live in the Lake District and work mostly in the North West and Scotland, with overseas work and play taking me to mountains all over the world.  I work with a large range of people, from 1:1 guiding, groups on qualification courses, families, schools and corporate groups.  I have been climbing and mountaineering for over 20 years and still get a buzz from being in the mountains, on the crag or out bouldering. 

 Qualifications:  Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor

I live in the Lake District, and I love climbing and mountaineering! Whether it's long days in the mountains, pulling hard on limestone sport crags or doing funky moves on a boulder... I'm pretty happy when I'm climbing. I started climbing as a teenager, first competing indoors and then learning to explore outdoor climbing and mountaineering all over the UK and abroad. As well as working directly with my own clients, I deliver courses for the BMC, adventurous training for the British military, coach at the Women's Climbing Symposium, and coach rock climbing for Rock & Sun in Thailand and Europe. 

Qualifications: Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor

Website: Esther Foster Climbing & Mountaineering

My Story #6: Esther Foster, Freelance Outdoor Instructor