alan halewood…
Centre Manager + Senior Instructor
DOB
7 May 1971
Qualifications
- Mountaineering Instructor Certificate
- First Class Honours BA Outdoor Education
- In the Community (Strathclyde)
- Accredited Practitioner of The Institute for Outdoor Learning
Experience
I’ve been climbing for 22 years and instructing professionally since leaving a previous career as an officer in the Royal Navy in 1996. As well as being a keen summer and winter climber in the UK I’ve climbed extensively abroad (Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Tierra Del Fuego, Antarctica, South Georgia, The Falklands, Norway, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Oman, Yemen, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mongolia and the Philippines). I like nothing better than foraging around on unclimbed peaks around the world and I’ve made 10 first ascents and at least as many first British ascents and new routes in the greater ranges.
My career in the Outdoors has seen me working for a wide range of Scottish outdoor centres including Venture Trust in Applecross, West Coast Adventure on the peaceful island of Scarba, Drum Adventure in Glasgow, Ardentinny outdoor centre near Dunoon and The Glasgow Climbing Centre. I’ve also worked for World Challenge Expeditions, Raleigh International, British Schools Exploring Society and Karakorum Adventures as a leader or mountaineering advisor during overseas expeditions.
I completed a BA in Outdoor Education in the Community with First Class honours and spent a year doing research into the benefits of overseas youth expeditions. I am a mentor and interviewer for the Institute of Outdoor Learning’s Accredited Practitioner scheme and a member of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the Association of Mountaineering Instructors.
I love teaching new and developing climbers indoors and outdoors and like to make sure that they get the best from their day’s climbing, whatever the weather.
Favourite Climbs
- Peak 5214 Cordillera Quimsa Cruz, Bolivia
- Storm (HVS), Glen Nevis
- Newtontoppen, Spitsbergen
- Deep Cut Chimney (IV), Hells Lum
- Mt. Stanley, Ruwenzoris, Uganda
- North Wall Grooves (V, 6), the Cobbler
- ‘Butterfly Peak’ Altai Mountains, Mongolia
- Dorsal Arete (II), Stob Coire Nan Lochain
- Phantasma, Cordon Navarro, Chilean Tierra Del Fuego
- East Ridge Ben a Chaorainn (II)
- Spartan Slab (VS), Etive Slabs
- Tower Ridge (IV, 3), Ben Nevis
- Ardverikie Wall (Severe), Binnien Shuas
- Midget Gem (V), Coire Cam
- Agags Grove (V Diff), Buachaille Etive Mor
- Deep Slit (IV), Laggan Hills
- Yir (VS), Ardnamurchan
- Fabrikfossen (WI3), Rjukan
- Pause (HVS), Etive Slabs
- Monolith Grooves (IV, 5), Arrochar
- Tower Ridge – summer (Diff), Ben Nevis
- Twisting Gully (III), Stob Coire Nan Lochain
- Squareface (VDiff), Beinn a Bhuird
- Ordinary Route (IV), Stob Coire Nan Lochain
- South Ridge Direct (VS),Cir Mhor, Arran Kings Ransom (IV), Aonach Beag
- Shadow Wall (VS), Pass of Llanberis Golden Oldy (II), Aonach Mor
Favourite Food
Anything with chocolate and cream
Favourite Drink
Hot blackcurrant cordial on a cold day, cold lager on a hot day.
Likes
Climbing, honesty, physical work, mountains, cats, books, collecting old and antique climbing guides and manuals, travelling, my IPod, teaching climbing.
Hates
Football, reality TV, politics, brussell sprouts, mint, computers that don’t do what you expect them to @$!?