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Ability alone however, won't guarantee to make a great guide. Professional training, a patient and cheerful character and good track record are all aspects we look for before inviting a new member onto the team. From time to time we also bring in other trusted guides, all of whom we know personally and have observed to ensure our standards are maintained. On overseas trips we exclusively employ IFMGA guides. For more information about qualifications and training we suggest you take a look at our choosing a guide article, which describes clearly what the different qualifications mean and most importantly, for which kind of trips they are suitable.
Background A central figure in the Leeds scene of the early nineties, Rich has long been a leading name in British winter climbing and Alpinism in particular, with several major winter ascents in Scotland and the Alps to his credit. He rose to prominence in world mountaineering with the first ascent of Ama Dablams' oft tried NW Ridge, in the company of Jules Cartwright. With over 5km of climbing, incredible exposure and no way back - this was one of the most committing British ascents for several years. Highlights
Other Interests When not on trips or out clubbing in his native Sheffield, Rich devotes considerable time and energy working on product design for his sponsors, Arcteryx and DMM. .
Background Al is a familiar figure on the UK expedition scene - known amongst the cognoscenti for his low profile, lightweight ethic and high tolerance for knarl. During the 90’s and 2000's he quietly climbed many of the hardest winter routes in the Alps, finding time for a dash of Scottish mixed (up to grade VIII) and a dozen expeditions along the way. In a former life he also used to be an international orienteer and still runs at elite level on the fells, having won the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon on 3 occasions and the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon (KIMM/OMM) in 2006. Al recently became the first Britain to run the Tour du Mont Blanc (102 miles, 9000m ascent) in under 24hrs and in the winter races for the British Ski Mountaineering Team, having competed at two World Championships. Highlights
Other Interests Between trips Al lives in Yorkshire with his partner Sima and their young family. Currently he spends much of his time competing in mountain running and ski mountaineering races across Europe, as well as indulging a passion for photography. .
Background Born and bred on the west coast of Scotland, Jonny has been climbing, skiing and mountaineering for over 20 years. During this time he has travelled widely in search of adventure, including several trips to the Canadian Rockies, Tien Shan, Peruvian Andes, New Zealand's southern alps and rock climbing in Australia. His passion for mountains started in Scotland, where he built a wealth of experience in the harsh local conditions, before moving out to Europe where he now lives and works full time as a professional mountain guide based in the Chamonix valley. Highlights
Other Interests Jonny is a very keen sport climber, spending his evenings off down the crag whenever possible. In the winter, his free time is generally split between icefall climbing and off piste skiing - when he's not at work doing the same!
Background Jon is one of Britain's leading Alpinists as well as being an accomplished snowboarder and skier, and has completed a wide array of ascents since beginning climbing at the age of 14. He has climbed and skied extensively across Europe, whilst spending several winter seasons in Chamonix where he made numerous hard winter ascents in the Alps and beyond. On the expedition front, Jon has climbed major first ascents with Al and Rich in Alaska, Greenland and the Himalayas. In 2008 he competed for Great Britain at the Ski Mountaineering World Championships, the Pierra Menta, and the Patrouille des Glaciers. Highlights
Other Interests Jon lives and climbs in Chamonix year round, thoroughly enjoying the guiding life. He works closely with his sponsors, being involved in design work, brand promotion and product testing. .
Background Dave came originally from Belfast - but nowadays lives in Sheffield, working as as a full time guide in Britain and Europe.
A former instructor at Plas Y Brenin, he holds both the International IFMGA Carnet and the UK MIC Award and is an experienced trainer and assessor for UK mountain leader awards. He has climbed and guided extensively across Europe and in the Himalayas, with a good track record of success and is also pretty handy with a map and compass - having won the Irish Orienteering Championships as a youngster. Highlights
Other Interests Dave enjoys cragging around his Sheffield home in summer and ice climbing and skiing in the Alps winter. He's also a keen and active winter Alpinist, regularly making forays onto the great Alpine North Faces. .
Background Coming from a well known guiding family, Hannah grew up near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands where she started skiing and climbing at an early age, rapidly building up an enviable level of technical ability and experience. Following a career in the outdoors was therefore a natural progression and she has worked for both Glenmore Lodge and Plas y Brenin the two national mountain training centres prior to training as an international mountain guide. Highlights
Other Interests Hannah now lives in the Chamonix valley working as a climbing guide in the summer, but has a strong interest in ski touring in particular during the winter months, where she skis most days throughout the season.
Background Rob has a traditional mountaineering background with the major influence being thirteen full winter seasons mountaineering, climbing and guiding in the Scottish Highlands. This includes hundreds of routes throughout the Highlands but particularly on Ben Nevis with ascents of winter climbs up to VII,8. He has climbed and guided on 6 out of the 7 continents including making first ascents on Welsh rock, Scottish ice and new routes in the Antarctic winter, Kyrgyz Tien Shan and Pakistani Hindu Kush. He has climbed and led expeditions to the ‘Greater Ranges’ on peaks up to 7500m (Chinese Pamir, Nepalese & Indian Himalaya, Argentinean Andes, Pakistani Karakorum, Moroccan High Atlas & Antarctic Ellsworths and Peninsula). and has recently returned from guiding a 'Ski South Pole' expedition. .
Background Neil comes from a background of professional outdoor instruction and traditional exploratory mountaineering. After studying a sports science degree in Leeds, he started off working with young people, then moved on to working with adults and more specifically future leaders and instructors. Working for 10 years at Plas Y Brenin as a Senior Instructor, he decided to focus his career on professional guiding and climbing coaching. Highlights
Other Interests In the summer months Neil guides in the Alps, but at other times of year he delivers Climbing Fundamentals coaching seminars for the BMC as well as running his own mountain training company, delivering UK mountain leader training and awards.
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The personalities who make up our team of professional mountain guides are amongst the leading climbers and mountaineers of their generation. Their depth of experience, leadership qualities and technical excellence cannot be learned overnight. 
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