Alex Kay, UIMLA Certified International Mountain Leader

Growing up in the heart of Snowdonia, among the beautiful and breathtaking mountains of North Wales, Alex, our Welsh mountain goat, is no stranger to big days in the hills. Scouting & camping trips in his youth and sporadic traveling in his teens saw Alex's passion and love for the outdoors and adventure grow rapidly. His career choice came down to either applying his university education as a forensic scientist or following his passion for the outdoors.  The siren song of the mountains won—propelling him into the career he will pursue for as long as his body can allow. 

Alex doesn't stay in one place for very long, venturing to new places with every season.  For the last few years Alex has travelled the world, working and playing in equal measure. A normal year will see him guiding on high altitude peaks in Africa, preparing people for the harsh conditions of Scottish winter, leading canoeing and kayaking expeditions on classic rivers in Wales and Scotland, to instructing climbing and mountaineering in his home of Llanberis.

As a qualified International Mountain Leader and Mountaineering Instructor, Alex is adept at looking after people in harsh environments and has led treks all over the globe, from the jungles of Borneo to the rainforests of Costa Rica. Alex has guided on two of the '7 summits' - Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m) in Tanzania and Mt Elbrus (5642m) in Russia - as well as other high altitude peaks.  Alex has spent the last few years exploring the Alps in both summer and winter and is keen to share his passions with you on wonderful journeys such as the Haute Route and the Tour de Mont Blanc.

Alex is truly at home when he's outside, even more so when in the mountains. Alex has completed some demanding solo expeditions, finding solitude and peace in the remotest of places. Alex lives to have fun and make long-lasting memories in awesome places; enthusiastic, encouraging, sociable and empathetic, Alex will always go the extra mile to ensure your experience is a positive and memorable one.  He is there when you need him most, reassuring in times of need or for when you need a friend to lose yourself with in a good game of cards. Go on, ask him to teach you his favorite card game: Irish Snap. Just don't expect the room to remain quiet once the game has begun!

"Alex is a fantastic, approachable, experienced and energizing leader with great awareness of group dynamics and morale building, while also reassuring and making the team feel supported and safe." – R.M., London

"Alex was amazing—his energy and positivity were a huge boost and he is a very big part of me actually making it to the top. Thanks, Alex!" – L.B., London