jamie smith…

Company Director + Instructor

DOB

OLD…!

Qualifications

  • MIC (summer)
  • Joint Services Rock climbing Instructor
  • Mountain Leader Winter
  • Joint Services Mountain Leader Winter
  • Joint Services Expedition Leader
  • Level 3 Kayaking Coach

Experience

I’ve been active in the hills since 1984 when I bagged my first Munro in Torridon. As a former member of the RAF Mountaineering Association I climbed extensively in the Alps and was expedition organiser for the British Military Expedition to Szechuan China in 1991. From 1987 to 1994 I lead 17 trips to the Alps (summer and winter), Dolomites, Picos de Europa and Sardinia. During this time I was also assessor for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for the North of Scotland and was involved in setting up the programme in a number of Highland Schools. I made the mistake of taking a gap year from instructing which turned into 10 years of being a slave on the corporate ladder. It did make me pots of loot though, all of which is invested in the Ice Factor!

Favourite Climbs

  • Wetterstein Ridge AD, Bavaria
  • Eagle Ridge V,6, Lochnagar
  • Lanteroerhorn SW Ridge TD – Bernes Oberland
  • Sron Na Lairig II, Glencoe
  • Olmenhorn Traverse AD
  • Mega Route X VII Ben Nevis
  • Klein Wellhorn Traverse AD+
  • Garadh Gully II/III/IV, Ben Nevis
  • Vorderspitze West Ridge D+
  • South Ridge Direct, VS 5a, Cir Mhor
  • Kinspitz NE Classic Route TD+
  • Arrow Route VDiff , Coire Lagan, Skye
  • Gouter Ridge, Mont Blanc PD
  • Integrity HS, Coire Lagan, Skye
  • NW Face of the Tour Ronde D+
  • Liathach Traverse II, Torridon
  • Grand Jorasse SW Ridge AD-
  • Flying Dutchman, S, Glen Nevis
  • Pyramid Du Tacul III
  • Eruption! E1 5b, Ardnamurchan
  • Diable Ridge TD Mont Blanc
  • Ardanfreaky E4, Binnien Shuas
  • Hammer HVS, Etive Slabs
  • Swastika E2, Etive Slabs
  • January Jigsaw S, Buachaille Etive Mor
  • Engineers Crack, E1, Buachaille

Favourite Food

Mince and Tatties with a plain loaf and a pint of milk

Favourite Drink

Tea

Likes

My wife Tracey and children Eilidh and Jamie, Mountaineering, rugby, sea kayaking, dining, sailing, history, people, jokes, drinking games and Blackadder.

Hates

Stroppy people, cold food and warm beer.