Climb-Mountains

is a small independent company that promises to provide high quality, inspirational and exciting guiding and instruction in some of the most dramatic landscapes in the British Isles. Whether you are a complete beginner looking to try something new, an experienced climber or mountaineer looking to acquire new skills or an outdoor enthusiast seeking assistance to achieve a long-held ambition we are happy to help. We have a deep passion for mountain activities and the challenge, fun and reward that they offer and we aim to pass these experiences and opportunities on to you. If you know what you want to do but cannot find the right course please get in touch and we can put a personalised program together. If you have no idea what you want - but you know you want to get out on the crags or in the mountains and try something different then again please get in touch and we can discuss the options.

Climb-Mountains

is run by Ian Hey.

Ian Hey

holds the Mountain Instructor Award (MIA), the highest UK award for hillwalking, rock-climbing and summer mountaineering and the Winter Mountain Leader Award. For more information about qualifications please see here. From a young age Ian has spent most of his life in the outdoors. Rock-climbing, hillwalking, mountaineering or simply spending time in wild places. He has a strong passion for passing on the enjoyment to be gained by participating in these activities. A natural teacher he is easily able to help develop your ability and skill without losing sight that fun and enjoyment are just as important as challenge and success. Ian endeavors to deliver all Climb-Mountains courses himself. On occasions where this is not possible Ian relies on a number of associates. These are all a minimum of MIA qualified instructors, close personal friends and passionate climbers and mountaineers with a gift for teaching. If Ian is unable to deliver the course himself he will let you know at the earliest opportunity.

Previous Employment

Though working in a number of different careers, the common thread through them all is a love of the outdoors and outdoor activities.

Plas y Brenin Instructor.

Ian has worked as a full time instructor for Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre in North Wales. While there he worked on their full range of climbing and mountaineering courses.

BMC Technical & Safety Officer.

IIan previously worked for the British Mountaineering Council for nearly 4 years at its main office in S. Manchester. This varied job involved writing safety and training advice for climbing and hill walking for dedicated publications as well as for Summit, the BMC’s in-house magazine. He was secretary to the technical committee, a panel of expert metallurgists, engineers and trade representatives who carried out independent investigations into incidents or failures involving technical climbing equipment. As secretary to the International Committee he was responsible for organising the annual International Climbing Meets that took place at Plas y Brenin and Glenmore Lodge, the National Mountain Centres of England and Scotland respectively. These events allowed climbers from around the world to meet and form new partnerships as well as learning to understand and respect the different climbing ethics practiced in different parts of the world.

Cartographer, Harvey Maps.

I After graduating from Newcastle University with a degree in Land Surveying Ian went to work for the specialist walking map firm, Harvey maps. Working as a cartographer and field surveyor he helped in the production of their award winning maps to popular walking areas of the UK. Initially working full time in their offices just outside Stirling in Scotland, he later went on to work for them in a freelance capacity.

Industrial Rope Access Technician.

IQualified to I.R.A.T.A. level 2, Ian worked as a Rope Access Technician for 2 years. This job entails using climbing and caving techniques to clean, repair, paint or inspect, buildings, bridges or any other construction with difficult access.

Outdoor Sales Staff.

IIan worked as an experienced sales assistant at a number of independent climbing outdoor shops including Wildtrak in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Call of the Wild in Keswick.

Personal Climbing Experience

Ian has been climbing and mountaineering in the UK and abroad for almost 20 years.

Rock-Climbing.

Since starting to climb on the sandstone outcrops of Northumberland and the mountain crags of the Lake District Ian has gone on to climb all over the UK and in many areas around the world. He has spent considerable time climbing and travelling around western USA.

Mountaineering.

Each winter sees regular trips north to sample the delights of Scottish Winter Climbing. There have been over a dozen trips to the European Alps in both summer and winter and he also has experience of alpine climbing in New Zealand and Canada.

Expeditions.

Ian has been on 4 major expeditions in recent years. An attempt on the then unclimbed NW ridge of Ama Dablam in the Khumbu region of Nepal. A trip to the Hushe Valley region of Pakistan where a number of peaks between 5500 and 6000m were climbed. A low key trip to the frozen playground of the Mt Asgard region of Baffin Island in Arctic Canada and a very successfull trip to the fjords of Southern Greenland where many first ascents were made on the granite walls and spires.

Skiing.

A keen Alpine and Telemark skier Ian has completed many single and multi-day tours in the Alps and North America including the Classic haute route from Chamonix to Zermatt and the western Oberland tour.