Hillwise Freelance Mountain Leader

I’m now back from a 3 week World Challenge expedition to India, and just have the paperwork to complete, so I’m now available for work again. The last three weeks have, as usual been great for “Continuing Personal Development” and a real chance to get to know local people and customs. I had at least 60 curries and ate many of them with my hand (only the right one!).

We are offering an NNAS Gold Award training course on Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th of October 2010. These will be 2×8 hour days at a cost of £80 (total) per person. The assessment will be offered on Monday the 11th of October at a cost of £40 per person and will again be an 8 hour day. You must be reasonably fit, and able to evidence that you already hold the NNAS Silver Award.

Contact us for more details and to make a booking. There are only 4 places on this course.

We will be offering a number of 4 hour workshops intended for people who have started to navigate but are aware of areas they wish to improve on. Each session will cost £20 per person, with a maximum of 4 persons per course. Contact us for more details or to book.

Monday 20th September 2010: “Using the compass”.

Monday the 27th of September 2010: “Contemplating contours”

Monday the 18th of October: “Choosing strategies”

Monday the 8th of November 2010: “Handrailing”

These sessions could also be run on other dates by arrangement for a minimum of two clients.

In addition to our bespoke guiding service, you can now select a walk from our well researched “Off the peg” selection. See the seperate page for details.

For 2 years now I have been working as an assistant boatman for “Canoe Adventures” steering their 12 man Voyageur canoes up and down the River Dart as part of a fleet. They are great for social groups, family trips, team building and wildlife appreciation. Up until now I have always been part of a  flottila of these canoes. However today I passed my assessment with the Harbour Pilot and am now qualified to take the canoes out unaccompanied. So if walking isn’t the only thing that “floats your boat” get on to Canoe Adventures and make a booking. Theres a link on the links page. Oh and tell them I suggested it!

I have had an enquiry from someone who is about to do his NNAS Silver and may be hoping to complete the Gold in Sept/Oct time. A course for one is prohibitively pricey for him (and would suffer from an absence of peer learning too), so he has asked that I try and bring together a few other like minded persons to make up a course. So, if there’s anyone with NNAS Silver who wishes to continue to Gold get in touch with me soonest.

Yesterday I spent the day with Dartmoor National Park and Forestry Commission staff, being trained in the management of upland forestry, and  how they attempt to fit it into the landscape, their environmental and recreational work etc. Although not directly related to mountaineering, this kind of CPD ensures I am well prepared to provide the client with a quality day on the hills and able to answer most of their questions.

I am just back from a 10 day trip to Scotland where I climbed the Lancet Edge (probably grade 1/2 in those snow conditions), visited 3 bothies, climbed up 9 munro’s in 4 seperate areas and snow-holed at 2,500 feet and minus 10 degrees. Snow was very variable, weather very cold and avalanches in evidence on southerly slopes, but NO RAIN !

The dates for the NNAS Silver course at the end of January have been changed from  Weds 20/01/2010-Thurs 21/01/2010 and will now run on Tuesday 19/01/2010 and Weds 20/01/2010.

Hillwise are now offering Hillwise Gift Vouchers. These are valid for One year, subject to instructor availability and can be used to give someone a Navigation course, some basic instruction, and escorted walk or any of our other services.

Contact us to discuss your needs and the pricing, but as a guideline a 6 hour navigation day for the recipient and a friend would be £60.