Staff member

Al Powell

Al plans our courses and guiding itineraries, deals with the company website and is responsible for much of the photo and video content that we produce. He has lived in the mountains his whole life, both parents having been keen Alpinists. In his early climbing career he concentrated mainly on winter alpinism and expeditions, climbing several cutting edge new routes around the world during the course of 20 expeditions to the Greater Ranges.

He also kept up a running career, with highlights including winning the Elite course on both the LAMM and OMM Mountain Marathons and being the first Briton to run the Tour du Mont Blanc in under 24hrs (102ml & 9000m ascent – that hurt!) In more recent times he has moved back to orienteering, having won the Veteran Home Internationals for Wales and numerous night orienteering races.

In the winter months he heads up the Alpine Guides ski program and in the summer works in both the UK and the Alps, guiding trips and leading alpine training courses.

The rest of the year he works for the company whilst trying to spend as much time running, cycling and bouldering as possible.

“Al was his usual expert self in sniffing out the best from the daily variation in conditions. Great at including the group in the planning/decision making as always.” Clive Harvey

“I thought Al’s guiding was exceptional. His choice of tours was perfect, in both getting the best out of the conditions and for the standard of the group.” James McCluskey

Al is a particularly special guide. Honestly it was like spending the week with the climbing equivalent of rock star; so many fantastic stories, useful tips and tales. We found it super easy to learn from him and engage with each lesson.” Geoffrey Shaw

Rich Cross

Rich runs the company on a day to day basis, so is well known to everyone as a key point of contact with Alpine Guides. He has been climbing for over 30 years, loving every aspect of the sport from bouldering right through to winter Alpinism, and has travelled the world pursuing his passion for the sport. Earlier in his climbing career he went on many expeditions to the Greater Ranges, which included the first ascent of Ama Dablams NW ridge, for which he was nominated for the Piolet d’Or.

In the winter season Rich specialises in ice fall guiding, Scottish and Norwegian winter climbing, and winter Alpinism. During the summer he loves exploring different regions of the Alps especially if it involves classic alpine rock routes, mixed climbing and north faces – some highlights of his guiding career include the Croz Spur on the North face of the Grand Jorasses, the North face of the Piz Badile, North face of Les Droites, and the West Ridge of the Salbitschen. He also spends each spring and autumn in the UK guiding in the Peak District, Wales, the Lakes, Ireland and the Scottish Highlands, and time on the road bike or personal climbing whenever he can!

Rich lives in Sheffield with his wife Liz and their two sons Sam and Charlie who also love the outdoor life.

Dee Abrahams

Undoubtedly the most efficient member of our team, Dee keeps the show on the road during the autumn, winter and spring – booking huts, making payments, liasing with our hotels and transfer companies and pretty much everything else! A brilliant organiser and fixer, she provides logistical support to our guides on the hill, so they can concentrate on guiding and keeping you safe and enjoying your trip.

Married to a British Mountain Guide, our old friend Si Abrahams, she speaks fluent French and is a keen skier and outdoor enthusiast.  Dee lives in the Chamonix Valley with husband Simon and their two teenage daughters.