About Us

OK, well this is me, Giles Thurston pictured here in the Dolomites in Sept 2004.

I'm basically nuts about anything to do about mountains including climbing (summer, winter & alpine), scrambling and hill walking. I go mountain biking occasionally and while I enjoy the downhill I'm not so keen on the uphill. I'm also keen to get back into paddling, not having been in a canoe since my early 20's.

If I was to describe my ideal mountain day it would be one of three things. The first would have to be a big multi pitch summer mountain route with a decent walk in. Nice and quiet, awesome scenery and miles from the busier road side crags. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy road side crags as well, its just that I prefer the high mountains. Probably to date my favourite route is Main Wall on Cryn Las in Llanberis Pass - not that far from the road but still absolutely awesome!
 

The second and third would be the same as the first but in the Scottish Winter or Alpine Summer. In Scotland I would quote Tower Ridge as my favourite winter route and in the Alps the NW face of Tour Ronde. Having said that I have only done a single Alps trip to date with planning already underway for a further trip in 2005 - hopefully I'll have further routes to choose from in time!
 

My favourite areas in the UK would have to be Lakes, Snowdonia and of course Scotland. I live in Cambridge with my wife (Leanne) and cat (Oscar) and we try to get away at least once a month, sometimes more. Most of our holidays are spent in the mountains, be that in the UK or further afield in the Alps etc.

I am involved with a number of Duke of Edinburgh groups as an expedition instructor & assessor. I hold the MLTUK Walking Group Leader (WGL), Summer Mountain Leader (SML), Winter Mountain Leader (WML), International Mountain Leader (IML) and Single Pitch (SPA) awards, along with a valid first aid certificate and CRB check.

I have lead youth development expeditions to Bolivia and Iceland and if all goes according to plan I am hoping to start the Mountain Instructor Award (MIA) during 2007.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme was how I originally got into the mountains and I have fond memories of doing my bronze, silver & gold awards in the Lake District. Consequently I really enjoy working with groups of teenagers introducing them to this environment - hopefully they will go on to get as much joy out of the mountains it as I have over the years.

For those that are interested, away from mountains I'm an IT Web Manager and my other interests involve playing rugby and squash, and following the highs and lows of Norwich City Football club.

Anyway, that's about it - that's me. You can find out a little bit more by reading my user profiles on UKClimbing and Outdoorsmagic. Hopefully you now know a little more about the person responsible for this site. Feel free to contact me if you'd like more info.

Giles Thurston
Last updated: 04 January 2007

P.S If you would like to find out more about how this site is constructed, go to the about this site page.