Rich Mountain Experiences Scottish Mountain Guides
Go and Discover Glencoe and Hiking around the UK
About Us
Rich Mountain Experiences started as a thought back in 2014, and came into being in January 2015.
Since that time, we have taken an eclectic mix of people out in our local area, and further afield, both in Summer and Winter...Everything from family outdoor rock climbing sessions, Winter Camping, and helping people attain their personal goals, including Michael Robbert Brans on his epic ascent of Ben Nevis on one leg, after his 20 year fight with Cancer, and with our regular client Duncan, aiming to complete. a full round of The Munros..
At Rich Mountain Experiences we strive to give you the experience you are looking for... Everything from Abseiling to Winter Camping. We enjoy the ethics of learning through experience, where we guide you through the activity that you are enjoying to the full, and to do that, we need some of the best guys around...
The Guys On The Hill
Rich has a strong background in the UK Mountains,having lived and worked in The Lake District and Mountain Guiding in The Scottish Highlands.
He has been a Hillwalker ever since he can remember, which progressed to Scrambling, then Rock Climbing, and finally got into Winter Mountaineering, which has been his favourite "Sport" for over 13 years.
Rich has gained a wealth of outdoor and instructing experience over the years, leading Tourists up onto the UK's highest Peak, taught Navigation to a high standard, introduced people to Outdoor Rock Climbing, supervised Silver and Gold D of E Expeditions, and instructed on all the skills required for safe Mountain Travel, whether in Summer or Winter. He was also a Hill Going Member of the LDSAMRA (Mountain Rescue)..
He is the Founder of The Real 3 Peaks Challenge, which involves the simultaneous cleaning of our 3 National Peaks...Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, with over half a ton cleared on each date.
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Since moving to Glen Coe for the winter of 2012/13 to gain his final Quality Mountain Days for the Winter Mountain Leader Award Assessment, he decided that he wanted to stay... deciding to become an Independent Mountain Skills Instructor, Climbing Instructor and Local Walking Guide.
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Rich Pyne - Owner and active on the hillÂ
Monika Pyne - Owner and also active on the hillÂ
Monika is the creative part of Rich Mountain Experiences, spending a lot of time and effort in thinking of new ideas and Events for us to put on....Just take a look at the Events calendar and you'll see what we mean... her input is huge and we would never run as smoothly without her inexhaustible enthusiasm...Sometimes 24 hours a day!
She loves the local area, and loves to explore. It hasn't been unknown to drop her off in Glencoe early evening to walk back to Kinlochleven, over the hills, for a dog walk. She is also very keen on rock climbing and scrambling, with Aonach Eagach and Curved Ridge being some of her favourite (?)routes. She's even done Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis.
The people skills she has acquired over the years are an amazing attribute, very caring and in tune to individuals needs, come rain or shine.
With 30 years experience of camping, she can even make a camp fire in the pouring rain with soaked wood...
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Duncan Francis OBE - Professional,kind and funny.
Operations Officer
(Association of Mountaineering Instructors)Â
We have known Duncan for some time now, and are always super-delighted when he is available to work with our clients. His mountaineering credentials are outstanding and extensive with regular expeditions around the world, including new routes in far away places...It is too difficult to tell you what he has done (As there is so much), but his attitude towards people and the mountains make him something special. It is an honour to have this man working with us.
What this man doesn't know, isn't worth knowing!!!...For example...
Several hundred logged single-pitch climbs up to E1 in the UK, US, China and Kenya
Over 100 additional logged days instructing single-pitch climbing in the UK, Europe, China and Kenya
Over 200 logged multi-pitch climbs up to E1 in the UK, Canada, Alps, Falklands, China and Kenya
Over 180 additional days instructing multi-pitch climbing in the UK, Europe, US, China and Kenya
Over 300 logged winter climbs in the UK, Norway and China
Over 200 additional logged winter climbs as an instructor in the UK, Norway and China
Innumerable personal Summer mountain days in the UK, China and Kenya [including 253 of the Scottish Munros, and counting]
Over 100 Summer mountain days, including scrambles, as an instructor in the UK, US, China, Kenya
Over 200 logged personal Winter mountain days in the UK
Over 100 additional logged Winter mountain days in the UK as an instructor
Numerous logged Alpine routes in France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland
Additional higher level mountaineering experience in Kenya, the Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Pyrenees, China, Morocco and Borneo.
Several new long multi-pitch routes in Kenya [Ololokwe, Lebendera, the Thumb]
Phil Nelson - Mountain Leader and General Nice guyÂ
My love of the mountains started back in 2001 when I was paid to climb mountains in the French Alps by the Territorial Army. Since then I have walked and climbed throughout the UK and French Alps.
You will find me today guiding groups ranging in size and experience all over the UK. It's the Scottish Highlands however where I spend most of my time; often alongside Rich and Mona. I strive to ensure the time people spend with me is as safe, enlightening and enjoyable as possible.
Most climbed Mountain - Ben Nevis (I have climbed it during day, night, rain, snow, sun, wind. I've lost count on number of ascents done; but still have some catching up to do to match Rich's record on the Ben!) Favourite Scottish Mountain - Too many to choose from, the bigger and more remote the better! Favourite English Mountain - Hevellyn Favourite Welsh Mountain - Tryfan
Phil is now working towards his Winter Mountain Leader Assessment.
Johnny Briggs - "Ask and it's done!"
Having grown up on a croft the Shetland Islands Johnny has been out in the Scottish elements since day one. Growing up his passion for Marine Wildlife and being out in the elements drew him to free dive and scuba dive in Scottish waters almost all year round. At 17 Johnny moved to Canada to pursue a career as a Snowboard instructor; he spend the next few years living and working in the mountains of Canada and New Zealand further building on his belief that a life spent outside and on the move is infinitely preferable to a life lived indoors and stationary. Now working for us as a Mountain Leader (And Winter Trained), with a new found passion for rock climbing, he is very happy to called Scotland his home once again. In his eyes, it is the sheer variety of Scotland’s mountainous environment that makes it the best place in the world to live and work; from the huge range of accessible landscapes, to the infinite personalities the mountains present (weather) to the many wonderful and talented people who work in and visit Scotland’s mountains each year.
Andy "Titch" Gillies
"Having grown up in Scotland, I’ve always had an interest in the outdoors and a fascination with wild places and adventure. My first memorable encounter with the Scottish mountains was in 1989 when I had the opportunity to spend a week in the Caringorms on a winter skills training week.
Since then I have continued to build my experience and have walked, climbed and skied in most areas of Scotland. I’ve also taken many mountaineering trips to the Italian Alps, ski touring trips to Scandinavia and numerous climbing trips throughout Europe.
The most enjoyable part of being a Mountain Leader is having the opportunity to share the beauty of these wild places with others and giving them an experience which they’ll remember for many years to come."
My name is John Irvine. I'm originally from Edinburgh and spend most of my adult life walking and climbing in the Highlands. It has always been my dream to move up here and I finally did so in 2012. My partner Tina, our dog and I are now settled in Fort William. I am also a keen photographer and love looking for wildlife in the remote glens and lochs.
I decided to start the tour business because I want to share the beauty and magic of the mountains and glens with the visitors to the area.I look forward to showing you around and hope you will enjoy the mountains and glens as much as I do.
John Irvine - Scenic Day Tours and Wildlife PhotographerÂ
There are so many more people involved with our company that it would be crazy to add them all here.
All of the professional, highly experienced and "hand picked" Outdoor Leaders and Instructors that we employ are all suitably qualified (As an absolute minimum) for the appropriate activities on offer. They all have insurance and hold a current First Aid Certification.
The Instructors/Leaders are all very well known to us, working and socialising with them regularly. This helps with maintaining the high standard of customer care that we expect and you deserve.