My Story in the mountains
I'm Will. Somebody who fell in love with the mountains from an early age and has spent the last 15 years exploring and adventuring in the world's high places. I grew up in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland, and was lucky to be given outdoor opportunities from a very young age. It didn't take long before I was hooked. After completing university, I decided to move to the Alps and ended up spending 2 years in Chamonix where my passion for mountain sports was fully ingrained!
I returned to the UK to begin my career as an English teacher, which for 7 years provided an incredibly fulfilling, if challenging chapter in my life! The mountains were never far away though, and I made the most of every opportunity to return to them for skiing and climbing. I left the classroom in 2016 to pursue a career in the outdoors and after a 5-year journey climbing and mountaineering around the UK, I achieved my long sought-after goal of passing the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor assessment.
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I now spread my time around the mountainous areas of the UK leading groups and individuals on their own personal journey through the stunning locations that our country has to offer.
Diabetes and access to mountaineering
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2007 while at university. After many years and challenges managing this condition, its regulation has become second nature to me. This experience of my own health condition has given me a rare insight into one of the many access challenges people face when getting out into the mountains.
I am passionate about helping people overcome these barriers, either physical or psychological, so that more of us can access the growth and stimulation that time in the mountains can provide.
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If you have any questions about this condition or how you might learn from my own experience of it, then don't hesitate to get in touch!
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My Qualifications
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Summer mountaineering and climbing instructor (MCI)
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BASP qualified mountain first aider
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L2 Mountain Bike leader
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L1 Canoe and Paddlesport Leader
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Full member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI)
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Full Member of the Mountain Training Association (MTA)
