Testimonials
“Hi Matt, just to let you know I did the Cape Wrath trail last week. It was very demanding in many ways but you'll be pleased to hear that navigation was no problem at all thanks to your help! Cheers.
David
“Cheers Matt great day… if you’re reading this thinking about should/I shouldn’t I… Matt is just what you want… nice guy, goes at your pace where and when you want, looks out/after you, gives you the right balance of adventure to meet your skills and is so knowledgable about everything around you. Highly recommended. Top bloke.”
Colin
“Thanks very much for the blog and the pics Matt! A fabulous day, a brilliant walk and a great guide! You provided the perfect mix of knowledge, experience, consultation and challenge. We highly recommend your services without hesitation and hope you will work with us again soon.”
Caroline (of the mountain goat girls)
“Needed some first class and intense navigation training before a demanding two week trek across Scotland - The Cape Wrath Trail. Contacted Matt and received an immediate response with potential dates for training. Within a week I was in the Peak District doing a one-to-one navigation course run by Matt trekking through difficult terrain with poor visibility to really hone map reading and compass skills. Just what I needed to feel ready for my big trip across Scotland. Would thoroughly recommend the course.”
Mike
“Thanks very much for the blog and the pics Matt! A fabulous day, a brilliant walk and a great guide! You provided the perfect mix of knowledge, experience, consultation and challenge. We highly recommend your services without hesitation and hope you will work with us again soon.”
Lisa
“Loved it. You were a great guide. Friendly helpful approachable. Good at keeping in touch pre-walk via email and text and amazed at how you remembered our names. Very attentive during the walk. Nothing seemed forced but genuine praise boosted us all through the walk. Liked the manageable amounts of information bites you shared about the area throughout the walk too. Thank you for a great day out and welcoming all ages.”
Vivienne Birch
“Never walked before with a group of people with different age group starting from 4 months old up to 70 years old . Amazed to see such an enthusiastic kids walking , climbing and talking .Never seen a guides so lovely and organised and creates harmony. I am looking forward to next walk. Socialising when walking on hills are fabulous with Trekking Skills , thank you very much.”
Nilufer Lazenby
“If you're a fellrunner, walker or climber, I'd highly recommend a day with @trekkingskills to refresh your map habits.”
Zoe Barton
“I was quietly nervous to join the walk as I would be doing it by myself and have never done anything like this before. I arrived to be met by the very smiley faces from Matt and instantly felt comfortable. Registration was fast and we were soon off on the way. There were 16 people booked on the walk so we split into two groups. The pace was very comfortable and Matt (our guide) was constantly asking how we felt, were we ok, to talk to him if we felt uncomfortable etc. We didn't have designated ``stops`` and took the group vote where and when to stop for breaks/lunch which was fabulous. The group ethos grew stronger when the second group overtook us and then the competitive spirit raised its head!! Even when the heavens opened, the group motivation kept us going. From a personal opinion, I met such fabulous people and exchanged great life stories/experiences that I wouldn't hesitate to join another walk. We quizzed Matt about what would happen if XYZ happened and he had it all covered from emergency shelter/first aid kit/extra food/taxi numbers . . . If anybody has a doubt about whether to walk with Matt, you really can't get any better!!”
Ziggy, Nottingham
“As part of the recent Walking Festival in Derbyshire, a group of us with mixed abilities from complete beginners to 'some knowledge' joined the Trekking Skills navigation course which proved to be very educational and great fun. We were given a really good grounding in navigation. Along with some friends (and by the end of the walk - some more friends), I joined a group of 3 lead by Matt the instructor, who had the patience of a saint and much knowledge and understanding of the great outdoors. It was an excellent introduction to the use of a compass, and for me gave a better understanding of Ordnance Survey map reading. Even though most of us had used a map before, we learnt so much more - really useful information on understanding the contour lines and taking bearings etc. I can thoroughly recommend Trekking Skills for all levels - easy to book; clear joining instructions provided; enthusiastic and knowledgeable. With the combination of learning, walking, companionship, fantastic scenery, and as it turned out, reasonable weather in the Upper Peaks, you can't go wrong. Many thanks to Matt.”
Tracy
“Thank you for a tremendous day on Tuesday. Despite the initial inclement weather and being totally soaked through from the waist down by lunchtime Andrew and I really enjoyed our day of walking. Please pass on our thanks and we would thoroughly recommend him Matt for anyone needing patient encouragement, confidence building and instruction in bite sized chunks – brilliant. The fact that the sun eventually rallied and we returned dry and warm having endured high winds heavy rain and hail made the day seem even more of
an achievement.”
Sara B
“Just a quick email to say thank you for the lovely weekend trail running in the Peak district. We have both picked up loads of little tips on map reading and won't be getting lost again. ha. Great information on nutrition as well. Can you book the weather for our next course as well Matt?”
Jessica and Neil