Gideon
Gideon's proudest claim is, "He's never had a proper job or really worked a day in his life! "He aims to live his retirement first and if he reaches retirement age, then he will think about getting a proper job! Although he admits this is only partly true, enjoying yourself can be quite tiring!
He has always loved the outdoors and spends all his free time outdoors, whether on the hills or down at a local nature reserve. He has a background in conservation and the environment, but gets his buzz from the outdoors and sharing the outdoor experience with others. To spot a White Tailed Sea Eagle or show someone a fragrant orchid, or to help someone to achieve a personal goal like reaching the top of Crib Goch, a snowy peak, or a personal challenge, it's a great feeling.
But equally to share a relaxed, mellow day in the hills with appreciative and like minded people is also thoroughly enjoyable and highly rewarding.
His interest in the outdoors began as a child, walking with friends, being taken away to the Lakes with school. But he soon moved on to challenge walks and leading for a local club, things have simply developed from there.
He has been really lucky and grabbed every opportunity to work in the outdoors, leading day walks, short breaks and running outdoor centres along the way. Then when one centre closed both he and Andy began WalkWise, with the aim of creating a fun outdoor company where they could walk the hills as much they wanted, and the rest as they say is history.
He has walked all over England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, explored parts of Europe, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and played in Nepal, New Zealand and Equador. But he admits that all you ever find is how much more there is to discover. Its quite simply a never ending quest!
Today his love for the outdoors remains as strong as ever and he spends about half his working time indulging in his passion enjoying the outdoors. He hopes to see you on a walk sometime soon.
He has always loved the outdoors and spends all his free time outdoors, whether on the hills or down at a local nature reserve. He has a background in conservation and the environment, but gets his buzz from the outdoors and sharing the outdoor experience with others. To spot a White Tailed Sea Eagle or show someone a fragrant orchid, or to help someone to achieve a personal goal like reaching the top of Crib Goch, a snowy peak, or a personal challenge, it's a great feeling.
But equally to share a relaxed, mellow day in the hills with appreciative and like minded people is also thoroughly enjoyable and highly rewarding.
His interest in the outdoors began as a child, walking with friends, being taken away to the Lakes with school. But he soon moved on to challenge walks and leading for a local club, things have simply developed from there.
He has been really lucky and grabbed every opportunity to work in the outdoors, leading day walks, short breaks and running outdoor centres along the way. Then when one centre closed both he and Andy began WalkWise, with the aim of creating a fun outdoor company where they could walk the hills as much they wanted, and the rest as they say is history.
He has walked all over England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, explored parts of Europe, Austria, Switzerland and Italy and played in Nepal, New Zealand and Equador. But he admits that all you ever find is how much more there is to discover. Its quite simply a never ending quest!
Today his love for the outdoors remains as strong as ever and he spends about half his working time indulging in his passion enjoying the outdoors. He hopes to see you on a walk sometime soon.
Andy
It’s amazing how many of the people I meet and my wifer Sandra too, when they find out my profession, are fascinated by it. It appears to be the most wonderful thing of all going to all the pretty and spectacular places all over the UK and Europe....and indeed it is.
But it does beg the question ‘How does one end up becoming a mountain guide, in the first place.
Well it all began after I read a book called ‘Work your way around the world’ by the English author Susan Griffith.
It contains nothing but stories and advice on working and travelling in all the most exciting and far flung places you could ever imagine. Right then I said to
myself.....I better give up this steady well paid job as a manager of a Timber and Builders Merchants now known as Jewsons, which I have studied for since entering as a trainee manager many years previously. They thought I was mad but it was the making of me.
After finding my wonderful future wife at a fancy dress ball in Munich, I dressed as a Christmas Tree and she as a Star, or so his-story goes.... we circumnavigated the world overland, heading left to right for two years, except for a few flights where water intervened. We had both been working in Europe for a few years previously and so by the time my five years had finished I had ended up having cycled in Ireland, Grape picked in France, drunk Beer and worked for the American army in
Munich, Skied and coach repped in Austria, taught English in Nepal, farmed in New Zealand, worked for Outward Bound with Papua New Guinea students on magnetic Island in Australia and Surveyed in America and so on.
Whilst we were teaching English in Nepal for 3 months, Sandra who is Irish, had a teaching aid. A cue card of the most beautiful place she had ever seen. When I looked it was instantly recognisable as the Lake District and she gave a throw-a-way remark ‘Can we live there?’ and so we do (and remember we were amongst some of the finest mountains in the world The Himalaya).
Now having trekked, and to a lesser extent mountaineered in the Himalaya, when I got back from that magnanimous trip I was at a loose end. As they say in Nepal ’Kay Garnay’ which translated means ‘What to do’. Unbelievably I was then to realise that for first time in my life I understood what they meant when they talk about ‘finding yourself’. I felt like I had been everywhere and had been given the time to work out what makes me tick. The love of the great outdoors, Hallelujah!!!!
After this I met the, larger than life, Gideon who had escaped real life and was hiding out in the back-waters of the Lake District.
This was in 1996 and now many years on WalkWise are still providing their safe and sociable guided
walking holidays and I am still enjoying finding new and interesting UK and International destinations to run our holidays and it is wonderful that our two lovely and lucky boys Tom and Seán get to see all these new destinations too.
It is also true that there is nothing more pleasurable than spending days in the outdoors with like minded people away from the strain of the ‘rat race’. Finally as Heini (Heinrich Harrer) a friend of the Dalai Lama muted how lucky we are to be guides.
But it does beg the question ‘How does one end up becoming a mountain guide, in the first place.
Well it all began after I read a book called ‘Work your way around the world’ by the English author Susan Griffith.
It contains nothing but stories and advice on working and travelling in all the most exciting and far flung places you could ever imagine. Right then I said to
myself.....I better give up this steady well paid job as a manager of a Timber and Builders Merchants now known as Jewsons, which I have studied for since entering as a trainee manager many years previously. They thought I was mad but it was the making of me.
After finding my wonderful future wife at a fancy dress ball in Munich, I dressed as a Christmas Tree and she as a Star, or so his-story goes.... we circumnavigated the world overland, heading left to right for two years, except for a few flights where water intervened. We had both been working in Europe for a few years previously and so by the time my five years had finished I had ended up having cycled in Ireland, Grape picked in France, drunk Beer and worked for the American army in
Munich, Skied and coach repped in Austria, taught English in Nepal, farmed in New Zealand, worked for Outward Bound with Papua New Guinea students on magnetic Island in Australia and Surveyed in America and so on.
Whilst we were teaching English in Nepal for 3 months, Sandra who is Irish, had a teaching aid. A cue card of the most beautiful place she had ever seen. When I looked it was instantly recognisable as the Lake District and she gave a throw-a-way remark ‘Can we live there?’ and so we do (and remember we were amongst some of the finest mountains in the world The Himalaya).
Now having trekked, and to a lesser extent mountaineered in the Himalaya, when I got back from that magnanimous trip I was at a loose end. As they say in Nepal ’Kay Garnay’ which translated means ‘What to do’. Unbelievably I was then to realise that for first time in my life I understood what they meant when they talk about ‘finding yourself’. I felt like I had been everywhere and had been given the time to work out what makes me tick. The love of the great outdoors, Hallelujah!!!!
After this I met the, larger than life, Gideon who had escaped real life and was hiding out in the back-waters of the Lake District.
This was in 1996 and now many years on WalkWise are still providing their safe and sociable guided
walking holidays and I am still enjoying finding new and interesting UK and International destinations to run our holidays and it is wonderful that our two lovely and lucky boys Tom and Seán get to see all these new destinations too.
It is also true that there is nothing more pleasurable than spending days in the outdoors with like minded people away from the strain of the ‘rat race’. Finally as Heini (Heinrich Harrer) a friend of the Dalai Lama muted how lucky we are to be guides.
“Guides belong to that rare and enviable group of men who, in ideal fashion, combine a hobby and a calling”.
Shaun
Shaun is an experienced mountain guide, mountain bike Leader and
is also a fully qualified archery instructor. He used to run his own walking holiday business in the Scottish Highlands, but found this was preventing him from getting out there and doing what he enjoys most, exploring and guiding others. Having done a great deal of guiding for WalkWise previously, he now promotes WalkWise in Scotland and is currently creating a much larger walking holiday portfolio for them. Consequently he’s getting more time out there
enjoying the great outdoors.
Born in Southampton, living there for 10 years before being moved to Worksop in Nottinghamshire - where links with the legend of Robin Hood may explain the interest in archery - much of his life has been spent in South Yorkshire and walking in the Peak District National Park, literally on his
doorstep, but once a month a journey to the Scottish Highlands was necessary to quench his thirst for the place he loved.
Before moving in 2003 to Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, Shaun was a part-time Ranger for the Peak District National Park, based at Fairholmes, which often found him walking the tracks, paths and wild lands around the Derwent Valley area.
In terms of mountain bagging – whereby climbers collect peaks like other enthusiasts might collect train numbers or stamps - he has completed the Munros and is well into his second round of them, having also achieved over 70 Corbetts; 60 Grahams and has completed many of the long-distance walking routes throughout the UK.
However to Shaun these are not just a tick in a book, but are instead part of his life-long journey in exploring: experiencing the ever changing and varied landscapes; wildlife; culture; history and indeed the weather found in these often remote areas.
Whatever the weather, if your out on a walk with Shaun, you will always see him smiling and enjoying himself. If you have a love for the outdoors and appreciate all it has to offer then he will be more than happy to help you experience it to its maximum, whatever your level of fitness.
is also a fully qualified archery instructor. He used to run his own walking holiday business in the Scottish Highlands, but found this was preventing him from getting out there and doing what he enjoys most, exploring and guiding others. Having done a great deal of guiding for WalkWise previously, he now promotes WalkWise in Scotland and is currently creating a much larger walking holiday portfolio for them. Consequently he’s getting more time out there
enjoying the great outdoors.
Born in Southampton, living there for 10 years before being moved to Worksop in Nottinghamshire - where links with the legend of Robin Hood may explain the interest in archery - much of his life has been spent in South Yorkshire and walking in the Peak District National Park, literally on his
doorstep, but once a month a journey to the Scottish Highlands was necessary to quench his thirst for the place he loved.
Before moving in 2003 to Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, Shaun was a part-time Ranger for the Peak District National Park, based at Fairholmes, which often found him walking the tracks, paths and wild lands around the Derwent Valley area.
In terms of mountain bagging – whereby climbers collect peaks like other enthusiasts might collect train numbers or stamps - he has completed the Munros and is well into his second round of them, having also achieved over 70 Corbetts; 60 Grahams and has completed many of the long-distance walking routes throughout the UK.
However to Shaun these are not just a tick in a book, but are instead part of his life-long journey in exploring: experiencing the ever changing and varied landscapes; wildlife; culture; history and indeed the weather found in these often remote areas.
Whatever the weather, if your out on a walk with Shaun, you will always see him smiling and enjoying himself. If you have a love for the outdoors and appreciate all it has to offer then he will be more than happy to help you experience it to its maximum, whatever your level of fitness.
One of Shaun's favorite quotes is by Edward Whymper
"Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are naught without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what might be the end".
"Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are naught without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste; look well to each step; and from the beginning think what might be the end".
Don
Don is an experienced guide with a love of the outdoors and of people, that makes each walk a unique and pleasurable experience.
He is the perfect host for a gentle easy day and can also bring out the best in people with a safe and capable pair of hands when clients want to stretch their own boundaries or challenge themselves with a longer harder route.
Don has spent time with the Edale Mountain Rescue Team, rock and ice climbed in the UK and the European Alps, cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats twice and led youth development expeditions and walking holidays to destinations such as Uganda, North India, Morocco, Madeira and Switzerland.
Alongside walk guiding, and through his own company “Hills-Skills”, Don is a facilitator and trainer and provides:
Summer -
Hill-walking and winter mountaineering skills
Mountain bike riding and maintenance courses
Rock -
Climbing/Abseiling experience days and technical rope work skills
National Standards -
Road cycle training for ages 8 through to 80
Group Team -
Group and individual confidence building experiences
However you encounter Don you’ll find he is a very capable, warm, knowledgeable and welcoming character who quickly puts you at ease. He finds particular pleasure in assisting people to develop their skill or confidence in the great outdoors and looks forward to greeting you on a WalkWise walking holiday soon!
He is the perfect host for a gentle easy day and can also bring out the best in people with a safe and capable pair of hands when clients want to stretch their own boundaries or challenge themselves with a longer harder route.
Don has spent time with the Edale Mountain Rescue Team, rock and ice climbed in the UK and the European Alps, cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats twice and led youth development expeditions and walking holidays to destinations such as Uganda, North India, Morocco, Madeira and Switzerland.
Alongside walk guiding, and through his own company “Hills-Skills”, Don is a facilitator and trainer and provides:
Summer -
Hill-walking and winter mountaineering skills
Mountain bike riding and maintenance courses
Rock -
Climbing/Abseiling experience days and technical rope work skills
National Standards -
Road cycle training for ages 8 through to 80
Group Team -
Group and individual confidence building experiences
However you encounter Don you’ll find he is a very capable, warm, knowledgeable and welcoming character who quickly puts you at ease. He finds particular pleasure in assisting people to develop their skill or confidence in the great outdoors and looks forward to greeting you on a WalkWise walking holiday soon!
Malcolm
Malcolm discovered his passion for wildlife and the outdoors early on, resulting in a bedroom full of animal bones and a mother always worried for his safety. Another result was his degree in Animal Biology, which fulfilled boyhood obsessions with dinosaurs and gave him the opportunity to study octopus (well, who wouldn’t?).
Working as a wildlife guide, outdoor and ski instructor and countryside ranger for over ten years now, he has been privileged to help people experience the spectacular places and species of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Working as a wildlife guide, outdoor and ski instructor and countryside ranger for over ten years now, he has been privileged to help people experience the spectacular places and species of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Website created and maintained by Shaun Hibbard on behalf of WalkWise
