Have any questions? Get in touch. +44 7460 829 701 info@trackandtrail.uk
Have any questions? Get in touch. +44 7460 829 701 info@trackandtrail.uk
A Leader's Story
I discovered my love for hill walking at 12, on a school climbing trip that changed my life forever. Nestled at the foot of the Watkin Path in Nant Gwynant, Hertfordshire’s Snowdonia Centre opened the door to days filled with adventure, wonder, and landscapes so breathtaking they felt almost otherworldly. In just ten days, I learned lessons that would shape a lifetime - lessons in resilience, curiosity, and the joy of pushing beyond limits. Since then, I've explored mountains and wilderness across the
UK and around the world, but Snowdonia still calls to me like nowhere else. It remains my spiritual home, the Watkin Path remains my favourite route to the summit. Rising from near sea level, it offers the full beauty and unforgettable drama of Yr Wyddfa in all its 1085m-high glory. It speaks to me: Cymru am byth, a croeso adref.
I first completed my Mountain Leader training under what was then the Mountain Leaders Training Board at Plas-y-Brenyn near Capel Curig back in 1983. There were no personal computers back then, so logs were all on paper. Unfortunately, when eventually they digitalised their records, they didn’t go far enough back, and I'd lost mine, so I’m busy having to do my ML training again to add back to my other Mountain Training qualifications.
I lead expeditions and treks with careful planning, calm decision-making, and strong communication skills, creating a supportive environment where everyone feels confident and capable. I stay adaptable to changing conditions while keeping safety, teamwork, and a positive experience at the centre of every journey. In addition to my MT Qualifications, I am also a DofE accredited Expedition Manager, Leader, Supervisor and Assessor. I am a former Royal Marine and currently a Royal Marines Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer instructor.
And this is where it all began: What was then Hertfordshire Education Authority's Snowdonia Centre, at the foot of the Watkin Path in Nant Gywnant, near Beddgelert. The front door on the ground floor and the back door on the second floor, it was so steep. I even learned to speak Welsh (mymrn).
No phones, no internet. Life felt slower and more peaceful, with people spending more time talking in person, enjoying the world around them without constant distractions, truly being present in the moment, and building relationships through shared experiences rather than on mobile devices.
All I want to do now is pass on my knowledge, skills, and many years of experience to anyone willing to listen, because I believe what I’ve learned has value beyond my own journey. Sharing insights, lessons, and hard-earned understanding is a way to help others grow, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and gain confidence in their own paths. If my experience can inspire, guide, or make someone’s work or life a little easier, then it’s worth sharing openly and generously. Thanks for listening, a diolch yn fawr, Eryri.
