Alexander Kay

Alexander Kay Personable services;

Guiding • Tuition • Coaching

Expedition || Mountaineering || Paddlesport

I'm a qualified mountaineering and climbing instructor, international mountain leader and paddlesports coach, and an expedition leader. I believe in life-enriching experiences outdoors, and I am passionate for taking people to incredible places and helping them to learn, achieve, and excel. I welcome all ages and abilities, and I am dedicated to furthering people's capabilities, understanding, and

depth of knowledge; empowering them to become more confident and independent. I have an insatiable love for the outdoors and a zealous enthusiasm for teaching.

​I specialise in providing personable expeditions, adventurous activities, outdoor skills development, and professional leadership training. I operate in the UK and overseas, all year round, and across a broad range of disciplines. Achieve life-long ambitions, surpass your own expectations, and excel outdoors - be it in the mountains or on the water, in the UK or further afield.

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Team Völkl...With tired arms and a recent top up of snow, it was only right that we ended the tri...
24/01/2025

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Team Völkl...

With tired arms and a recent top up of snow, it was only right that we ended the trip with a day on the slopes.

Florin's first time on planks was as challenging as to be expected, and enjoyed his surprise birthday cake with extra wax. A super way to end a super trip.
co.uk

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Kool Krokan...One of the Europe's premier ice crags, and for good reason.Krokan delivered the goo...
23/01/2025

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Kool Krokan...

One of the Europe's premier ice crags, and for good reason.

Krokan delivered the goods today, offering plenty of steeper lines for and Florin to finish off their arms, with friendly lower sections to fool them into tying in again and again.

Fresh snowfall creating a beautiful atmosphere all day.
co.uk

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Gausta grins...Superb day up at the stunning Gaustatoppfossene, climbing loads of brilliant ice, ...
22/01/2025

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Gausta grins...

Superb day up at the stunning Gaustatoppfossene, climbing loads of brilliant ice, trying hard and grinning from ear to ear.

There may be less ice than in previous years, but there is more than enough to swing our picks into, and all the while enjoying some blissful weather. Cool temps and barely a breath of wind.
co.uk

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Trappfoss...Trappfoss with Chris & Florin today involved slightly damper hands than one could hav...
21/01/2025

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Trappfoss...

Trappfoss with Chris & Florin today involved slightly damper hands than one could have wished for, but plenty of smiles nevertheless... Once the hot-aches wore off!
co.uk

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Rjukan..., Florin and I are in Rjukan this week, sampling lean lines and having good times.Our fi...
20/01/2025

NORWAY ICE CLIMBING || Rjukan...

, Florin and I are in Rjukan this week, sampling lean lines and having good times.

Our first day back on the tools was spent climbing a variety of lines at Ozzimosis, including the classic WI4 pillar with the same name.

The beer b***y has begun, for whenever a sharp/pointy thing comes into contact with a rope. Current scores after day one:

Florin - 4
Chris - 2
Alex - 1
co.uk

MT KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || A reminiscent retreat...Our descent off Nelion involved 13 abseils and 5 sections of scr...
11/01/2025

MT KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || A reminiscent retreat...

Our descent off Nelion involved 13 abseils and 5 sections of scrambling. At 2pm we touched down at the base. Cloud had already shrouded the summit and the snow had started to fall.

Our final night at Austrian hut was spent drinking tea and listening to the rumbles of thunder. The following morning we took the long trek out via the Sirimon route, a journey I had taken many times in 2016.

Snow underfoot, sun and high humidity made for a sweaty walk out, and we didn't quite manage to beat the afternoon rain, but the views and wildlife were no less spectacular than before. Mt. Kenya remains to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, and certainly still Africa's best kept secret.

I will be running another expedition to Mt. Kenya in late January 2026. If you like the sound of this trip then please get in contact.
co.uk

MT KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || No-picnic Nelion...At almost exactly 11am, Juls and I stood on top of peak Nelion (5188m...
11/01/2025

MT KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || No-picnic Nelion...

At almost exactly 11am, Juls and I stood on top of peak Nelion (5188m), Mt. Kenya's 2nd highest top.

There was no time for a picnic though, nor time or will to cross the dry and unstable Gates of Mist to the true summit of Batian (5199m); No snow or ice bound the rocks together, but in 3 hours that would all change, and we had no intention of being there when it did.

We had climbed via the SE Ridge of Nelion, a truly superb alpine route, weaving it's way through awesome terrain, offering tricky pitches & exposed traverses that quite literally took our breath away.
co.uk

MT KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || Revising the plan...There was no alternative. With snow and thunder forecast for 2pm the...
11/01/2025

MT KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || Revising the plan...

There was no alternative. With snow and thunder forecast for 2pm the following day, and reports of no snow binding the rocks through the Gates of Mist, we concluded our new goal:

Climb the route we came for and summit Nelion (5188m), sticking to an 11am turn-around time; Reaching the true summit of Batian, albeit only 11m higher than Nelion, would best be saved for another day.
co.uk

MT KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || Success, solitude and snow ball fights at the equator. Since arriving in Nairobi, poor w...
11/01/2025

MT KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || Success, solitude and snow ball fights at the equator.

Since arriving in Nairobi, poor weather had been slowly creeping forward, now due to arrive one day before our planned summit bid. Our summit window was closing rapidly.

After acclimatising via the beautiful and lesser-travelled Timau route, we arrived at Austrian hut (4800m) in the morning of day four. In the afternoon Juls revisited Pt. Lenana (4985m) for a few extra red blood cells, while I recce'd a chunk of the SE Ridge of Nelion, the route we intended to climb.

Our original plan for day five was to do a warm up climb on Pt. John, an enjoyable 6-pitch VDiff on an aesthetic peak. But the weather had other ideas.
co.uk

MT. KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || Go time...Kicking 2025 off with an expedition to Mt. Kenya, starting today!The true sum...
01/01/2025

MT. KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || Go time...

Kicking 2025 off with an expedition to Mt. Kenya, starting today!

The true summit of Batian (5199m) is calling - via the South-East Ridge of Nelion - and and I must go!
co.uk

Happy New Year to all of the fantastic people I have had the pleasure of working with this year! Too many great days at ...
31/12/2024

Happy New Year to all of the fantastic people I have had the pleasure of working with this year! Too many great days at work to mention; Yet another lucky year for which I am truly grateful.

Highlights include (but not limited to!) guiding new routes in the Indian Himalayas, single-day Cuillin Ridge Traverses with classic climbs thrown in for good measure, and any of the bluebird days during Scottish winter!

All the very best for 2025!
co.uk

MT. KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || Into the Gates of Mist...In just over two weeks Juls and I will travel out to Kenya, wi...
14/12/2024

MT. KENYA CLIMBING EXPEDITION || Into the Gates of Mist...

In just over two weeks Juls and I will travel out to Kenya, with the aim of climbing to the true summit of Mt. Kenya.

Both Juls and I have previously summitted the highest trekking peak of Mt. Kenya: Point Lenana (4985m), but we are both raring for the challenge to reach it's true top - Batian (5199m).

Our climb will involve a week-long expedition to establish a base camp, before ascending the 20-pitch South-East Ridge of Nelion (5188m) - Mt. Kenya's second highest point - and crossing through the Gates of Mist to Batian.
co.uk

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