Hi, I’m James: an Army veteran, mountaineer, climber and skier. I’m also a War Disability Pensioner and have had spinal surgery.

I grew up walking in the hills of the Lake District and Peak District … as a sixth former I may even have voluntarily excused myself from lessons to go hill walking . It shouldn’t have been a surprise that I joined the Army at University on my 19th birthday!

As an Army Officer, in between tours of Afghanistan, I qualified as a military mountain leader and ski instructor. I planned and lead expeditions for soldiers all over the UK, Europe and North America to introduce them to the mountains and wild places I love.

In 2012 my back intervened, and following a non-combat injury rather embarrassingly sustained on a treadmill in Lashkar Gah () I was evacuated back to the UK: spinal surgery, rehabilitation and medical discharge followed. I thought that was it, no more mountains for me.

But slowly, over the last 12 years I have been getting back into those high, wild places. I’m now a qualified Mountain Leader (Summer), and am registered to train to be a British Associstion of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) level 2 instructor, a Mountain Leader (Winter) and Climbing Wall Instructor. I want to share my passion with others.

In particular the joy, peace and contentment those high, wild place can bring.

I’m establishing a freelance mountain leading business and am seeking seed funding for some of the essential costs; professional indemnity insurance; equipment; training & assessment courses; and marketing.

Any donations towards making my dream of being able to share this passion would be gratefully received.

Thank you ☺️

James