Born in Cumbria, Stu began climbing at school on the crags and mountains of the Lake District. He worked for 12 years as a senior instructor at Plas y Brenin in North Wales, which has become his permanent home.
Well known as an extremely strong climber across a wide range of disciplines, Stu has been on many expeditions to places such as Patagonia, Alaska, the Himalaya, Baffin Island and Peru. In 2003 he was nominated for the prestigious Piolet d’Or Award, for the 1st ascent of the ‘Supa Dupa Couloir’ in Alaska. Other major lines include the 21 day 1st ascent of ‘Arctic Monkeys’ on a big wall in Baffin Island and a recent ascent of Cerro Torre in Patagonia.
As a working guide, Stu divides his time between the UK and the Alps, rock and ice climbing and mountaineering. As a climber, he calls himself as an all rounder – operating in most disciplines of climbing whether it be rock or ice climbing, Big Wall climbing, an expedition to Alaska, North Face climbing or bouldering. Stu has also lectured at the Kendal Mountain Film festival, Edinburgh Film Festival and various climbing and mountaineering events throughout the UK.