Client Testimonials

Comments from our guests over the 10 years we have been operating here in Spain's Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra mountains.

Alexis and Rupert Coltman (Cerro de Caballo, Aug 2008)

"We had a fantastic holiday, and the walk to Cerro del Caballo was the icing on the cake for me. It was a perfect day trip in terms of length and scenery, and I am grateful to you and Kiersten - and your dogs - for making it so enjoyable."

Thomas Meaney, Worcester (Mulhacen and Veleta, June 2008)

"Just a note to thank you, Jane & Mike for your expertise and help during my recent week in Lanjaron. I really enjoyed the climbs & the fiesta. As you've probably heard the weather has been, and remains, dire in the UK. Clouds, rain, strong winds and an autumnal 13 degrees C here in Worcester today have dispelled any illusion that I might still be in Andalucia... Looking forward to seeing you again sometime."

Lynne Withey, Susan Crosby, Debbie Glassman, San Fransisco, USA (Alpujarra Walking, June 2008)

"Thanks again for a wonderful trip! Now that I'm home, back in the fray, Spain seems very far away. I have to keep looking at the pictures to remind myself of what a magical place it is. We really had a wonderful time. Thank you all so much. Hello to Jane and Mike, too. You're a great team!"

Bill Landers, Colorado, USA (trekking and rock climbing, June 2008)

"I enjoyed Spain immensely and hope to return one day. Next time I'll talk to you about staying in Lanjaron. Thank you again for your help. I really enjoyed my time with you and your merry band."

Nancy Cox, Warwick (Winter mountaineering, April 08)

"It was really nice to meet yourself, Kiersten and Jane. You all made my time really enjoyable and I loved exploring the Sierra Nevada. Thanks again for a good trip! I will keep your website on my favourites list and would love to come out for another holiday!"

Eve Smith, London, April 08

"Have been rather pitched into frantic activity since I got home, so this is just to say thanks again to you and Kiersten (and Mike and Jane) for a great holiday experience - it really was fab and I am visualising limestone scenery and snowy mountain tops while grappling with the peculiarities of copyright law for a meeting this afternoon - makes it all more bearable!"

James King, Co Donegal, Ireland, April 08

"Hope youre keeping very well and many thanks for a great trip. I learnt so much, learning to ski, mountaineering, climbing instruction. All this and transportation and accommodation too ...... unbelievable! Many thanks again, Ill be spreading the word. Take care of yourselves and safe days in the hills."

Clive Fenn, Norwich, April 08

"Just a couple of pics attached to a very big thank-you, without your help and guidance I wouldn't have the knowledge and confidence to have made them happen."

Iwan and Teresa, North Wales Mar 08

"Just a short email to say thank you for the alpine lesson, me and Teresa had a great day out with yourself and Kiersten. It was good fun and we learnt valuable infomation on the day."

Harmony Smith, Ski Touring, Mar 08

"Hi R, K & M. Thanks for a great time on and off the snow (ski crampons rule!) and for looking after me. Will see you all again"

Norman Miller, Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, Feb 08

"just a quick line to say thank you for a great week. I`ll get back to you soon with a longer blog. in short, great time had by all. enjoyed the lot, the mountains, the beer and the tapas."

Felix Jackson, Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, Feb 08

"Great week! Home safe and sound. Enjoyed our dealings/meeting with people in your team. Nice scene I like informal, but reliable..good. So thanks! Have a feeling will certainly be seeing you again Here in Ireland weather exactly same as Spain so great to come back to. Regards to you all"

William Miggin, Dublin, Alpujarra Walking, Jan 08

"Belated word of thanks for the great personal service and friendlieness I found from yourself, Kiersten and Mike - plus the tapas and general feeling at home in the town, on what was my first time in Spain. I don't know what the next trip will be, as usual, but I certainly am not short of options. Wishing you all well, and with envy for the weather in Lanjaron!"

Emma Phillips, winter skills, Manchester, Jan 08

"Just to say thank you very much for a great few days, they were varied and really interesting I hope all is well over there, regards to Kiersten and Mike and the Flower Bar....."

Andy and Petrina Wadwsworth, Nov 07

"Thanks very much for the couple of days we spent with you last week. We both enjoyed the walk, and I enjoyed the bivvy. For the rest of the week (and from the plane) we kept seeing our peaks - in particular Caballo. From a distance it was difficult to make out the refugio. The dehydrated food you supplied was excelllent, far nicer than that commercially available, and I'm sure far healthier and wholesome. It cooked really quickly and was gobbled up even quicker. Thanks for introducing us to Lanzaron and the high sierra, and being so social with us in the evenings we were in town"

Emma Phillips, Manchester, Sep 07 Sierra Nevada Traverse

"Just a quick email to say thank you for a superb holiday. It has given me the wish to do more and experience other things. The guiding was excellent, and your business is very efficient. Hopefully see you next year"

Day on Los Machos and Veleta with Aussies Jesse and Shenny

Read their BLOG!

Clive Fenn, Norfolk Aug 07

"Just to say a very big thank-you for an amazing experience, made all the better by sharing it with some great people I'd like to think of as friends. I really hope we all get to climb together again."

Allan Hughes & Jim Beattie, Glasgow, Feb 07

"We really enjoyed the week.It was pretty tough but very worthwhile. We were both keen to try ski mountaineering and you provided us with a great introduction."(

Sarah H and Sarah D, London

"Sarah and I just wanted to thank you and Kiersten for the fantastic walks in the Sierra Nevada and the villages...not to mention the swim in your pool and getting to taste a "raw" olive! I'd say it made our holiday!"

Clive Fenn, Norfolk, Mar 06

"Thanks for the film, its amazing how watching it makes you re-live all the emotions that you felt at the time. I had a really good time and I put it down to the knack you have to make me laugh when I should be weeping!"

Sylvia Noorbhai, Feb 06

"Just to say thanks again for a fantastic week, we learnt and did so much and it was all fun. Maybe you might see us out there again at some point, and if you are ever South Wales way let us know."

Neil, Dublin Jan 06

"Thanks for everything during the week. I had a brillliant time, and learned a huge amount - I can't wait to put it into practice myself. You taught us way more than we expected, and your cd collection certainly helped with the early mornings. I honestly can't say what was the best part, the ice was brilliant, including my spectacular fall, as were the gullies and the time up in the hut, and especially the Puntal ridge (probably the best part). As Pete would say, "10 out of 10 for you"

Tom Margrain, South Wales Mountaineering Club, Jan 06

"I just wanted to say thanks for making our trip to Spain such an enjoyable one. I'm sure it isn't always easy dealing with a sucession of new clients but you and Jane made us feel like individuals rather than just the 'next group'. In particular, Jane's teaching was spot on both in terms of content and pace. Please pass on my thanks to her. Also, given the weather, I really felt you both did what you could to make our trip a success"

Paul Faulkner, Rebecca and Madeline, Jan 06

"Just a quick email to say many thanks for organizing our guiding last week on Trevenque on tuesday and also the ice climbing on wednesday. We all really enjoyed our holiday and these two days were certainly highlights. You were right about the skiing conditions too - we went on Thursday and it was fantastic and so quiet too"

Neil, Dan and Sean from Dublin, Jan 06

"A short mail to thank you, Tracy, Jane, Dave and everyone else who made our stay so enjoyable. I had a fantastic time, and seldom felt so welcomed before. The mountains were amazing, and we learned more than I ever expected, and had some unforgettable experiences like the day on the ice and especially up on the Puntal ridge! I feel a lot closer to achieving a trip to the Alps thanks to you all."

Carl and Ali Silver, Jan 06

"Thanks for an excellent holiday / course, we both really enjoyed it and covered all of the stuff that we wanted to. I will certainly recommend it to anyone looking for something similar"

Caroline Fishbourne, Macclesfield

"Thank you for such a fantastic holiday. Now back at home it is hard to imagine that only last week we were setting off for Lanjaron. Thank you for your excellent leadership and guidance and also for showing us around and your recommendations. We had a fab time in Granada, the tapas bar was wonderful and just across from our hotel. We do pack so much into such a short time that it feels like a week or two by the time we get home. I feel so exhilerated that I managed to climb Mulhacen, I know the pace you set was slow and I did appreciate that. We have come home with wonderful memories and feelings of high achievements (literally). I would love to return and climb the other mountain you mentioned, fingers crossed. Best wishes and many thanks again."

Joey Cleary, Barcelona

"I too had a fantastic week down south. Thanks a million to you for a job well done. Glad to hear that we infected Lanjaron with a bit of Poguery! The idea of returning to do some olive picking in the winter gets more appealing every day!"

Ian Devlin, Dublin

"Just a short note to say thanks to yourself and Tracy for all your efforts in ensuring our trip was a roaring success. I, like the rest of the M.A.D. Club, had a great time both on and off road (and in the bars etc). Thankfully feeling a bit more human today; the excesses of Lanjaron's nightlife meant Sunday and Monday were very tough going. Hopefully the M.A.D. Club in some shape or form will pay a visit to Spanish Highs in the not too distant future."

Richard and Mandy Fearnehough, Baildon

"Thanks again for our trip.We really enjoyed it and learned a lot. We'll be back again for some ski mountaineering and winter walking on the peaks"

Tom Ralis, Worcester

"Hard to know where to start with thanking you (and Tracy, Jane & Dennis) for a fantastic few days together. Felt like I was walking and climbing with old friends, and you all had the rare combination of being totally professional and totally approachable. It'll be tough to forget the Welsh flag and hymns on ridges, Dennis and me slumped over the Eiger Sanction, sunsets out to Africa, blue sky and crisp snow!"

Bruce Lane, Wales

"Hola Richard! Greetings from Grand Slam Land! hope you and everyone else we met recently are well. I'm sure that you are getting used to all these plaudits, but we all found our week with you and Jane extremely useful and enjoyable. Personally, it was one of the most productive times I have spent mountaineering and proved that you do not have to be totally knackered to achieve and advance your skills!"

Roger Poole, Coventry

"Thanks for your company both professionally and socially. I had a good week and look forward to doing it again in a year or two."

Tony Wilson, Stockport

"The weather here is the typical British Winter stuff - overcast and raining. Still, I can look back at last week's and bask in the memory! Thank you very much for making last week so enjoyable and my thanks to you and Tracy for your hospitality. I hope that Phil and I will be able to get out onto the Lakeland Fells while there is still snow and get some practice in."

Phil Featherstone, Lancs

"Just to say thank you for last weeks "expedition". Thanks for the warm welcome, it was just like walking with old friends."

Mark Hylton, Bristol

"Lizzy, Tania and Alicia asked me to email on all our behalfs to say a very big thank you for all your help in making our trip so very enjoyable. We will definitely be back next year!"

Philippa Beale, Bristol

"Thanks for the photos : That mediterranean sunshine is but a distant memory now !!! Thank you so much for a great few days. I was expecting great climbing and personal attention, but I was unprepared for the stunning and varied scenery, and the generosity of your hospitality. You and Tracy treated me like a guest rather than a client, and it was really lovely to have people to eat with in the evenings . Thank you very much indeed for giving me such a great experience. I do hope to return in the winter sometime soon"

Clive Fenn, Norfolk

"Thanks for a fantastic experience,it was well beyond anything I expected (and more ! ). Also thanks for making me feel so welcome,a more friendly bunch of people would be impossible to find. I'm now of to consult the calendar to see when I can fit in another trip ASAP,so I can do some more climbing before I forget all the knots !"

Gary Webber

"Just wanted to say a big thanks for the fantastic trip to Spain. I felt I really learned a lot and gained very valuable experience towards my SPA. It was especially kind of you to organise the weather! As suspected, the piccies haven't come out so I hope yours have."

Ross Litherland & Cath Crowther

"We both had a brilliant week and really enjoyed everything we did. We're now busy tieing knots, working out how to make spam carbonara and planning our next trip. We really enjoyed the time we spent with yourself, Jane and Tracy and have many good memories of our nights in Lanjaron. I would certainly recommend Spanish Highs to anyone considering a Winter/Alpine skills course as our trip easily exceeded all our expectations. If you would like me to write a detailed reference letter please let me know or if you wish to pass my e-mail onto prospective clients I'd be very happy to inform them of our wonderful experiences."

Matt Kirkpatrick, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

"I had a great time in the Sierra Nevada's. It would have been worth the trip just for the approach! Mulhacen was my favorite climb so far. You guys made me feel right at home, and made my holiday much better than any package tour could have been. I'll be back just as soon as my bank manager lets me."

Steve Warner, Luton

"Just a quick, and rather belated, note to say thanks for a great (and safe) week of climbing. I really enjoyed it, and it was good to meet yourselves, Martin, Renee, Crystal, Jack, Jean and anyone else I may have forgotten! Feel really pIts really just a brief e-mail to say thank you for a great week in Spain. I can't believe I get back and its still raining here, what a depressing sight. Anyway Lisa is extremely jealous, especially after seeing the pictures, which just show a blue sky. The slight tan also seems to annoy her, can't imagine why. Anyway thanks for an informative week and I can't wait to plan my next trip back to Spain."

Ketta Morris, London

"Anyway thanks again and I look forward to climbing with you in the future. roud I led a few climbs, and really did everything I wanted to do - and more and felt perfectly safe throughout. Just got to go practice those knots now"

Angela Akehurst, London

"Thank you so much for a great 3 days walking. We would never have found those footpaths by ourselves! We were very impressed by your expertise and accommodating friendliness, as well your flexibility when we were booking the trip.
I'd love to come again"

Roland Dawes, Porthmadog

"Thanks for the trip to Spain. Walking up a 2000 ft peak in Snowdonia yesterday was a doddle!"

Matthew Marshall

"Thank you both for an excellent adventure - personally the poor weather only added to the experience (Yes - it can rain in Spain!)"

Jane Fields and the Yorkshire team!

"Thanks for a superb fortnight! You took a group of ordinary people and gave us an extraordinary experience. We were made to feel safe at all times even when trying out new things (e.g. ice climbing). Your expert knowledge of the weather and mountain conditions meant that we remained dry, comfortable and active for the whole two weeks when other groups nearby spent hours drying out kit after aborted climbs! You achieved a good balance between professionalism in the mountains and then invested much of your 'down time' to ensure that we enjoyed the more social side. I have already started recommending you to others and you will definitely see us again. Thanks again."

Jennifer Perrins, Milton Keynes

"You were very accommodating from the outset of our trip. We spent a couple of days learning ice climbing before attempting our first 3000m+ summit. We found the guide extremely professional and very willing to teach and help us whenever he could. We would highly recommend you to both beginners at Alpine mountaineering and those who wish to expand their skills and climb more challenging peaks"

Steve Warner, Croydon

"Lisa and I had a fantastic time and we both wanted to say a big thank you to you both and to PJ for making it such a good week. We felt we learnt so much in such a short time and I know Lisa feels much more confident about climbing now and placing protection"

Martin Allbutt, Telford

"Your paramount concern for safety and careful attention to protection are just what my shaky confidence needs"

C J Bond, Perth

"The team led well throughout, assessed the ability of their clients during the fortnight so that no-one was extended beyond their capabilities"

P L Weller, Huntington

"I was particularly impressed with the way you generated such a good team spirit and a sense of determination in all members of the group, as well as providing everyone with the necessary climbing skills, and yet the resultant enthusiasm was always controlled by a proper concern for safety above all else"

Peter Cox, Surrey

"It was a marvellous experience and one I hope to repeat some day when I can actually see the view!"

Mike Jones, Luton

"Thank you very much indeed for the winter skills course you took us on last week. I felt I learnt a lot of technical details, as well as picking up valuable experience of being on the mountain. I also thought the personal service you gave us (for example, airport transfers, taking us down to the bar, etc) was very good in enabling us to settle in well while we were there"