The Summit is Optional

The Summit is Optional Rock-climbing, mountaineering and navigation courses in North Wales, the Lake District and Scotland.

I’ve been active in the mountains for a long while, starting from humble beginnings on my Bronze DofE Award. I’ve now been a climber and mountaineer for over 40 years and have climbed all over the world. Since deciding to make this my line of work, I have become professionally qualified as both a Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (WMCI), which is the highest UK national qualification for

climbing and mountaineering, and an International Mountain Leader. I am a member of both the professional bodies for those groups (AMI and BAIML).

26/05/2026
19/05/2026
18/05/2026

Volunteers for Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) have had about 75 call-outs since the start of 2026, with the team attending 160 for the whole of last year.

Read more: https://bbc.in/4fkTT6H

01/05/2026
23/04/2026
Mountain Rescue noticing that their safety information doesn’t always reach teenagers, who are increasingly become rescu...
06/04/2026

Mountain Rescue noticing that their safety information doesn’t always reach teenagers, who are increasingly become rescue statistics.

How can you help?

05/04/2026
I’m going to re-post links to some of my articles on mountain weather.Here’s the one on Lapse Rate (or “why is it so fli...
03/04/2026

I’m going to re-post links to some of my articles on mountain weather.

Here’s the one on Lapse Rate (or “why is it so flipping cold when you get to the summit?).



This article explains what you need to know to understand the Lapse Rate and why it is important if you are heading for the mountains.

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