What we offer.

 

Private Mountain Walking Guide
Map & Compass Navigation Training
Trail & Off-road Running
Hillwalking & Mountain Fitness Guidance

Private Mountain Walking Guide

 

You can hire me as your private mountain walking guide for the day or as long as you want.

I offer a private guiding service which gives you maximum flexibility on the date and guiding location of your choice. You contact me, i will phone you back at a convenient time for you. You tell me when and where you want me, i will give you my advice and share my knowledge. I have two decades worth of experience to call upon.

Would you like private guided walking in the Peak district? Edale, Castleton, Buxton, Hathersage, Stanage and Ladybower are great destinations. I also guide throughout the hills and mountains of the Lake district and Snowdonia? Scafell Pike and Snowdon inspire alot of people. I work in these national parks regularly.

You design the day set to your requirements.

It could be that you would like to share the day with your close friends on a short break and want to relax and chat whilst walking up a specific mountain like Snowdon or around the Peak District or Lake District. I will phone you and help plan the day you want.

You relax and I will help you organise your day and lead the walk for you.

Are you looking to create a bespoke weekend of walking with your friends by visiting an area that you have heard about but want more knowledge? It is your chance to ask me your questions.

I have a vast experience of walking, running, scrambling and long distance hiking not just in the UK but across the world. I spend at two months each year walking, running and climbing abroad. Ask me your questions to help plan your next adventure.

Private guiding gives you the opportunity to create a bespoke day or weekend in the mountains of your choice with a professional mountain guide offering a personal and bespoke service to you.

Cost
It costs £170 for a seven hour day or £30 per hour to hire a Private Mountain Guide.

Please contact me with your ideas to create a memorable experience. I will respond to you the same evening.

Map & Compass Navigation Training

 

I offer a one or two day training course which is suitable for complete beginners or people looking to refresh their skills in mountain navigation.

Having felt completely inadequate at map reading myself many years ago, I will allow you sufficient time to digest and understand your new skills. There will be plenty of time to ask questions. I give you enough space to digest and understand.

Depending on your previous levels of knowledge we will look to cover the following topics:

Detailed look at different types of maps
Identifying key map symbols (paths, streams etc..)
Interpreting contours
Setting the map to match the ground
Relocation techniques & reading grid references
Map reading in poor or limited visibility
How to use a compass
How to estimate distance using timing and pacing
Planning your own route and consideration of the weather
Emergency proceedures in case of an incident

I understand how frustrating it can be to want to explore the mountains competently but not having the confidence or knowledge to do so safely. I have taught a broad age range of clients over the years from Duke of Edinburgh groups to the Ramblers Association.

I will teach you the tools of navigation that will  give you the confidence in your next adventure in the mountains.

All maps and compasses are provided for each person.

I can tailor the course to your needs and requirements so if you feel more confident on one aspect and want to focus specifically on another area that’s fine.

Please contact me with your requirements and we can make a plan to get you confident with your navigation and map reading.

“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
February 2022

Trail & Off-road Running

 

Are you getting bored of running on the same old noisy and traffic clogged streets?

As a qualified UK Athletics Leader in Running Fitness I can introduce you to a new way of enjoying running, trail or off road.
I have been running for twelve years on road before switching to trails, tracks, fells, paths and trods.

Trail running has grown in popularity in the last few years and an increasing number of runners are
now becoming converted to trails and off road paths.

The rewarding nature of escaping the busy pavements and running through the countryside can revitalise your training and give you a wider scope of races to participate in.Trail running benefits from getting into the countryside environment on marked paths without a massive reliance on navigation skills.

Running off road allows you to build up a range of new skills and techniques that will make your runs more thought provoking and interesting.

I aim to cover the following with you:

Basic navigation skills and route planning

Clothing and equipment (Footwear, bags etc…)

Nutrition & hydration before, during and after training / races

Descent techniques for different kinds of terrain (grass, rock, scree and forest)

The focus of this course is to educate and build your confidence in a sociable environment.
Here in the Peak District we are blessed with an abundance of easily accessible trails where you can enjoy short plods or on epic adventures.

As with all my courses I can tailor the day to your requirements so if there is something here that you would like to focus on please tell me.

“Just q 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
August 2021

Hillwalking & Mountain Fitness Guidance

 

These days are build specifically around your goal. They are 100% bespoke for you only. No two days will be the same.

If you are looking to increase your confidence and fitness or if you are planning a big adventure in the near future like the national Three Peaks or Kilimanjaro , I will plan hillwalking and mountain preparation days for you.

In the past I have had clients who have wanted preparation for trips to the Alps, Kilimanjaro, the Pyrenees, Vietnam and Patagonia.

I have experience of trekking around the world and can tailor advice and exercise tips simply to you. I will also give advice on:

Appropriate clothing for the trip

Essential gear

Suitable footwear

Building a medical kit

What to expect weather wise

Reading resources

Please contact me and I will work with you so that you can get the most out of your dream adventure.

I am also available for corporate and charity distance walks. Feel free to give me a call so I can help you to get the most out of your dream adventure.

“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
October 2013