Instructor Profiles
Steve Wilson
IML, ML, SSLA, CWA, CWAA
I grew up on Dartmoor and have always had a passion for travel and the outdoors. I have lead groups to Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya and Mt Toubkal as well and undertaking many personal expeditions including 3 weeks completing 14 first ascents in Northern Greenland and in 2013 having spent 5 weeks at Mt Shishapangma in Tibet camped at 6,000m.
At home I spend much of my time training, supervising and assessing Duke of Edinburgh award groups and provide instruction and coaching in Hill Walking, Trekking, Navigation and Climbing.
Stuart Howard
ML, SPA
I have spent many years walking in the dales and on the fell sides of the UK and hold a particular fondness for the Lake District and I have been fortunate enough to explore some of the more remote areas of the world.
I began walking in Cumbria as a teenager, which gradually developed into mountaineering and membership of the Alpine Club. Over the years I have received funding from the Mount Everest Foundation and the British Mountaineering Council which has allowed me to make the first ascents of mountains in areas such as Greenland, Alaska and Kyrgyzstan.
At home I spend much of my time training, supervising and assessing Duke of Edinburgh award groups and provide instruction and coaching in Hill Walking, Trekking, Navigation and Climbing.
Nigel Lewis
IML ML(S) SPA
I am a native of South Wales and am lucky enough to have spent a lot of my adult life travelling all over the world. My real passion is for mountaineering and I have successfully summited Toubkal, Kilimanjaro & Mount Kenya in Africa; Mera Peak and several +5,000m peaks in the Himalaya; Ishinca peak in the Andes and several +4,000m peaks in the Alps. I have trekked to Machu Picchu along the Inca trail, to Everest Base Camp, most of the trails in Mt Kenya National Park and routes in the Andes, Tatras, Atlas and Middle East.
I have led several expeditions overseas, including Africa, Central & South America and Asia. In the UK you can find me teaching navigation, first aid, climbing and expedition skills. I also train, supervise and assess Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. The rest of my spare time is spent rock climbing.
Craig Black
Zimbabwe Professional Guide
Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, I passed the stringent Dept of National Parks & Wildlife Management professional guide qualifications to become one of only three professional guides licenced to lead walking safaris, canoe safaris on the Upper and the Lower Zambezi and Grade 5 whitewater rafting and kayaking in the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls.
I have led safaris and expeditions in all of Zimbabwe's main national parks as well as in Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. Since moving to the UK I have spent a great deal of time in Ashdown Forest and the South Downs. Conservation, wildlife and history are my passion.
Dan Andrew
IML, ML(S), SPA
Dan first discovered a love of the outdoor from a young age and has built on this initial interest ever since; be it walking or climbing. Dan likes to get off the beaten track seeking out areas which offer a variety of different experiences and terrain ranging from local crags in the Peak District to 4000m+ peaks in the Alps and beyond.
Having had experience as a youth worker, community sports development officer and outdoor instructor Dan has organised and lead numerous expeditions in North Africa, Slovenia and Europe. He also delivers UK mountain based events, including - navigation training, team building and climbing sessions. He holds the following qualifications - Community Sports Leaders Award, Single Pitch Award, Mountain Leader (Summer) Award, International Mountain Leader, Enhanced First Aid, IOSH Risk Assessor and is an aspirant Winter Mountain Leader.
Spike Reid
IML, ML
I was inspired to undertake expeditions whilst growing up on the edge of Dartmoor and spending much time up there with Scouts, Cadets and friends. Since then I have completed numerous mountaineering expeditions, in a wide variety of countries, ranging from first ascents in Tajikistan and Siberia, training young people in the Norwegian Arctic, and trekking in Nepal and Afghanistan.
In 2008 I circumnavigated the world along the line of 50ºN after winning a bursary from the Royal Geographical Society and Land Rover. I am also keen on rapidly-growing sport of stand-up paddleboarding, having recently completed the first circumnavigation of Martinique by paddleboard.