I am a fully qualified Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor MCI) and Winter Mountain Leader. I am also a Trainee Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (WMCI) and a full member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). I am fully insured for these activities and a copy of my insurance certificate is available.
It’s easier to realise your adventure goals when there is someone by your side.
CLASSES
See below for some of the popular options available. If you are interested in something specific, please make an email enduiry mjmountaineering@gmail.com.
MAKING THE MOVE FROM INDOOR SPORT CLIMBING TO OUTDOOR SPORT CLIMBING.
Send email enquiry first to mjmountaineering@gmail.com to check availability. Likely venue: Bennybeg, Crieff. Ratio 1:2 or 1:4 Cost: £100 for half day, £200 full day. (A full day could potentially involve 2 venues, Lednock Sport Crag being the obvious second venue)
There is a greater degree of challenge and reward when tackling climbs outdoors on real rock. Most of your existing indoor skills will be transferable but there are more things to consider for safe climbing outdoors.
LEARNING TO LEAD ON TRADITIONAL ROCK CLIMBS
Send email enquiry first to mjmountaineering@gmail.com to check availability. Likely venue: Dunkeld Ratio 1:2 Cost £100 half day, £200 full day.
Do you aspire to climb classic routes in the mountains or on local crags? Learn how to use leader placed protection on traditional rock climbs safely with an instructor next to you on a separate safety rope. You will also learn how to retreat from climbs safely by abseil.
CLASSIC MOUNTAIN RIDGES
Send email enquiry first to mjmountaineering@gmail.com to check availability. Likely venues: Curved Ridge, Aonach Eagach, Tower Ridge. Ratio 1:1 or 1:2. Cost £220 (1:1) £250 (1:2).
All technical equipment will be provided (helmet, harness and ropes).
Scotland offers a wealth of amazing mountain routes which are spectacular and exciting rather than technically difficult or strenuous. With a qualified instructor you can tick off one Scotland’s most famous routes. Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mòr, Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis or the Aonach Eagach in Glen Coe.
WINTER MOUNTAINEERING
Send email enquiry first to mjmountaineering@gmail.com to check availability. Likely venue: Flexible, will be decided by discussion depending on conditions. Cost £250 full day. Helmets, ice axes and crampons will be provided.
Venturing out in the Scottish mountains in Winter requires a new set of skills in addition to those required for Summer hill walks. Learn how to use an ice ace and crampons safely and efficiently and practice your winter navigation skills to ensure you can cope with "whiteout" conditions and avoid avalanche prone slopes.
SKYE MUNROS
This suggested itinerary can of course be adjusted to suit conditions and objectives. Day 1- Southern Section: Sgurr Dubh Mor, Sgurr Alasdair, Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and the Innaccessible Pinnacle.This is a long day covering the most spectacular mountain terrain in the UK. Day 2 - Central Section: Sgurr a Mhadaidh and Sgurr a Ghreadaidh. Day 3 - Northern Section: Northern End– Am Basteir and Sgurr nan Gillean. This is the traditional finish point for a ridge traverse and involves the “Bad Step” on Am Basteir and the “ Tooth Arête” on Sgurr nan Gillman.
There are 11 Munros on the Cuillin Ridge. This three day course focusses on the more technical ones where a rope is normally used and are definitely considered to be Mountaineering rather than Hillwalking routes. Cost: £690 (1:1), £750 (1:2). Helmets, harness and all other technical equipment will be provided. Dates for Summer 2024: 26th-30th May (fully booked), 2nd-5th June, 17th-20th August, 22nd-25th August.
WHY CHOOSE MJ MOUNTAINEERING
I am a qualified to teach lead climbing on both sport (bolted) routes and traditional rock climbs. I am also qualified to take clients on multi pitch mountain routes and mountain scrambles under Summer conditions and mountain hill walks under full Winter conditions and am a trainee Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor. I have over two decades of teaching these activities on the crags of Perthshire and the mountains of the Scottish Highlands.
A love of the mountains brought me to Scotland over 25 years ago and I have lived and worked in Perthshire ever since. In parallel with my work as a teacher, I have been teaching mountaineering and rock climbing as extra curricular activities during this time. The Highlands of Scotland are a magical place and I would love to help you maximise your next mountain adventure.
