JOHN BRIGGS

Summit Guides team leader

Professional Memberships:

Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI),
British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML),

Qualifications:

Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (2017),
International Mountain Leader (2014),
Winter Mountain Leader (2018),
School of International Expedition Training (2012).

Getting to know John

How did it all start?

Family holidays were spent hill walking as a child with my parents - even uncomfortable waterproofs wasn’t enough to put me off, and gradually as a teenager I started to venture out on my own accord, completing a series of ever longer trip learning to be more self-sufficient.

After a couple of years as an accountant, I decided to turn my passion for the outdoors into my career and haven’t looked back since!

What have you been up to since?

Climbing, trekking, paragliding, skiing, and exploring across the country and globe.

Who are your heroes?

My dad.

What do you most love about your job?

Very easy answer. Climbing for work!!?? Amazing! Especially when clients are enjoying themselves as much as I am!

Going on expeditions to cool places like Island Peak in Nepal isn’t too bad either 😊

Tell us a good epic moment:

Reaching the summit crest of Mont Blanc on my one day ascent from the valley floor, 9 hours after leaving Les Houche, walking along the summit crest in clear skies and an endless view over the Alps, knowing our crazy plan had come off.

Notable trips:

Self-supported climbing trip to Greenland, skiing over frozen fjords, climbing new routes, watching glaciers explode and disappear into the sea.
An Ascent of Mount Sabre (500m face climbing) in the remote Darrens region of New Zealand.
Five seasons in the Alps camping and travelling through the Mont Blanc and Matterhorn regions.
Mountaineering road trip of the West coast of USA, climbing 3/4000m peaks.
Guiding 15 international expeditions on 4 continents.