Welcome to my Update page which summarises a few of the highlights in my work and travel since January 2025's update. 

Psychology of Fear - attended a day's workshop at Three Wise Monkey, Fort William on improving my management of fear whilst climbing. 

Mountain Skills - Delivered a range of courses to groups and individual clients and had the privilege of being invited by University of Stirling Mountaineering Club (USMC) to present two workshops: one on managing your PPE and a second one, in partnership with Mountain Training Association, on a 'Practical guide to Preparing for a Winter day on the hill and Snow / Avalanche issues. 

Alva Gorge - Assisted my ML colleagues, Keith Thomson and Kev Mitchell in scouring areas of the gorge to remove some of the volumes of detritus thrown into the gorge by numbskulls! We had the excellent company of numerous volunteers and Dan from USMC.

Avalanche! - Advanced - with James Thacker from Mountain Assurance and Blair Fyffe from SAIS. A stormbound three days of snowpack evaluation...superb! 
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British Activity Provider's Association - Now into my sixth year of inspections and I have a raft of fabulous centres to visit. It is so reassuring to note how the staff in all the centres are meticulous in their attention to detail. 
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This year, I should also have the pleasure of being accompanied by a colleague from Adventure Mark who will moderate the quality of my inspection so that we maintain an industry-wide high standard so that schools, colleges, businesses and, of course, parents and carers can be assured of the quality provided across our members.
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Working for Others - recently I have been engaged by Mountain Aid, Mountaineering Scotland, Durham University, Clyde Mountaineering Club and numerous private clients in a range of teaching, instructing and guiding events. 
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​Helmets - I upgraded my stock of helmets to the Petzl Boreo and carried out the annual equipment checks; especially the Petzl Corax harnesses recently brought into use.  

First Aid Last year, I attended and passed my tri-annual BASP Outdoor Emergency First Aid 

Shenandoah National Park - on the penultimate day before Federal Shut-down, I managed to drive into the park on my family holiday. We had access on Day 2 and whilst the superb Rangers had chosen to remain on-duty, access was 'free'. Just outside the park is the World's largest stalactite caverns at Luray. 
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