Article: Into the Outdoors - my story

The global pandemic and particularly the lockdowns have affected different people in different ways. Sadly we’ve seen some fairly negative effects and impacts in people’s mental health and access to exercise and the outdoors. The outdoor education industry has been particularly stricken with centres unable to open or operate much at all due to ongoing restrictions.

Lots of my colleagues have been sharing their stories of how they got into the outdoors to help spread the message of how important outdoor education is… so this is mine…

I remember fairly vividly the first time I abseiled, despite the passage of over 25 years and numerous times since. We practised putting our harnesses on in a dusty hut and the following day walked up to the crag. Leaning back over the edge and starting my descent the instructor got me to take my hand off the rope and put it on my head. A few years ago my Dad sent me the photo below!

I was lucky in that my parents were very encouraging despite not being climber sorts we spent lots of time outdoors and playing sport. I can remember paddling a canoe down the Dordogne river in France and snorkelling on the South West coast. We walked alot. I was a Scout and later an Air Cadet and I credit these organisations with being my inspiration to participate more heavily in outdoor pursuits. I visited southern sandstone, Snowdonia, Dartmoor, the Lakes and the Peak. I bought my first harness at the age of 15 and with some mates regularly climbed at the wall or on an old disused railway bridge. A couple of my cadet leaders were Mountain Leaders and that seemed pretty cool but how was it a job?

Turning 18 I had to start making choices for adult life. I was keen on the military but my geography teacher, Miss Ross put me in touch with one of her friends who ran an outdoor centre in South Wales. This woman has been a inspiration to me and was hugely helpful in giving me ideas for jobs. I applied for a few trainee jobs in the Brecon Beacons and was offered one. This year was in reflection, one of the best things I’ve ever done. The 3 senior staff were about the age I am now; experienced but still learning, keen to keep pushing and exploring both in their careers and in their own skills and I owe them alot. Not only did I participate and work with young people but I went out evening after evening caving, paddling and climbing increasing my own skills and knowledge.

I can also remember vividly when I decided to make the outdoors a career. I was in the gorge and one of the young people asked about the kettle holes formed by the water. After my little impromptu speech I remember thinking wow, I can do this. Chatting to the boss later the path was clear I’d have to go to university and probably get a teaching certificate. So on to applying to university then.

I put all my eggs in one basket and got accepted to study Geography at Bangor in North Wales. What followed was 3 riotous years, lots of good friends made, great experiences and also some great opportunities in the outdoors. Less so was my ability to focus on study but I did get a degree thanks to my course leader, a great gentleman who very sadly died a couple of years ago whilst I was on expedition in Nepal.

After university, life seemed full of promise and I freelanced for a while before landing a job at a centre in Llanberis. My boss was a very quietly spoken woman who had an impressive CV. The centre was very grown up and professional but I felt fully supported by both the manager and the senior instructor, another well experienced professional and I learnt alot about adventure and how to challenge young people in some pretty out there environments. The diversity of work was amazing; we worked with young people in last chance programs, students training to be teachers, primary schools and my favourite; year 9’s who were there to develop opportunities for teamwork, resilience, get challenged and have fun!

Roll forward another ten years or so and I’m now working mainly with adults, however these early experiences have given me so much to draw on, especially on instructor courses. And I still massively enjoy my days out with young people and can’t wait to get back to days in the mountains and on the coast with them.