Experienced, Professional, Mountain Guiding and Leadership
Experience, Professionalism and Leadership - our guiding team
Our team have had many years experience in the Alps, 3 expeditions to the Patagonia Icecap (one of the wildest, most remote places on earth) and more especially, here in the Sierra Nevada in Spain. They live and work year round in Lanjaron, so have come to know and understand the Sierra Nevada intimately in all weathers.
Our guides are enthusiastic and knowledgeable people, committed to the mountains and environment in which they work. Most, work closely with local people in their spare time with Accion Sierra Nevada, in refuge restoration and conservation work.
Secure with Spanish Highs!
Even with our accident free record spanning over 35 years of taking people into the hills, all our trips have state of the art satellite communicators and access to emergency services at all times (vast areas of the Sierras have no mobile signal!).
Seasonal note: We don't take risks! There are always plenty of alternative winter adventures to be had here in the Sierra Nevada should avalanche conditions exist on some slopes.
Mulhacen has been climbed by our team more than 210 times (up to July 2011), more often than not in full winter conditions.
International Mountain Leader (BAIML), Mountain Leader (ML), Winter Mountain Leader (WML), Single Pitch Award (SPA) are just some of the resources at our disposal, BUT the key is experience!
Meet the team
Richard Hartley
Has been leading groups into the mountains since 1979. Has lived in Lanjaron since 2002 and is very knowledgeable about the Sierra Nevada mountains that he loves. Much alpine (24 seasons) and expedition experience. When not enjoying the mountains, he looks after the administration and website development.
Here are some extracts from his log book:
Over 200 ascents of mountains over 3000m since 1979
Over 2000 quality mountains days
Over 1800 mountain ascents including Scotland and UK
22 ascents of Mont Blanc & 59 other Alpine peaks.
Aconcagua 2000
Patagonia Icecap Expedition leader - 3 expeditions to the Patagonian Andes
Richard is actively involved in the Accion Sierra Nevada, which itself evolved due to his and friends efforts to improve and restore mountain huts in the Sierra Nevada. See Granada Ideal newspaper article about the origins of the initiative.
Jens Foell
He has 16 years of rock climbing experience, mainly in the UK and Spain but also in the rest of Europe, North Africa and India. Jens loves mountains, and has spent altogether a couple of years in the Himalayas, spread over 7 trips, where he has been trekking, mountaineering, climbing, mountain biking, and skiing. He is a proficient rock climber, skier and mountaineer, knows the Sierra Nevada intimately
Kiersten Rowland
A lot of trekking experience in Nepal, Argentina and New Zealand where she lived for a year. Has been based in Lanjaron since 2006. An enthusiastic birdwatcher and photographer. Has now completed 3 Patagonian Icecap Expeditions. Makes a grand cup of tea!
Jane Fields
Prior to 2002 she spent many years training in the French Alps. Has been an integral part of the Spanish Highs team in the Sierra Nevada since. Also came on the first Patagonian Icecap Expedition exploratory trip we made in 2006.
David Thomas
David, an ex soldier gained his mountain experience in the Swiss Alps and Norway, and is also a very accomplished skier. He has been with Spanish Highs for over six years and owns a house in the area. "if the client has had a good day then I'm happy"
James Jackson
James has been training as a Mountain Guide with Spanish Highs since August 2010 and has guided many successful ascents of 3,000 metre peaks in the Sierra Nevada including winter ascents. He is currently working toward gaining full International Mountain Guide status and is turning his attention to the more technical side of mountaineering. James is also a very keen trail runner and offers a guided trail running service.
Gary Hodgson
Has over 20 years of personal experience of walking and climbing in the mountains of the UK and many places around the globe. With 12 years experience of guiding groups and individuals of varied ages, abilities and backgrounds you can be assured that we will aim to give you the best mountain experience ever. Gary is a fully qualified Summer Mountain Leader and Winter Mountain Leader as well as holding the International Mountain Leader Award for guiding holidays on the continent. He runs Tarmachan Mountaineering from his base in Scotland
Javier Aguirrebengoa
Javier purchased some land and a small cortijo in the mountains of the Sierra de Tentudia in 2008. He is passionately involved in restoring the cortijo and bringing self sufficiency into the lives of his family and himself. He works with us as a guide in the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarras.
Richard and Jane on the summit of Mont Blanc in July
2000 - helping in another successful ascent for charity.
Kiersten at the top of Kala Patar, Nepal (5643m) in
2001 in support of the 911 Firefighters.
4 Legged Variety
 Khumbu the Siberian Husky "Training to pull skiers uphill!" |