About Leading Edge
Mountaineering instructors Sam Leary and Cath Wilson's personal and professional experience allows them to generate an inclusive and supportive atmosphere. Their empathy will help insure a bespoke and rewarding experience for you. Cath and Sam run open, friendly and fun courses which are packed full of learning, delivered expertly and at the right level and pace for you.
To access the mountains and crags safely requires a varied skill set; physical, technical and mental, we look at them all. You will see measurable improvements during your time with us and most of our strategies you can take away and continue to use and improve to maximise your performance. We look at practical coping strategies to help you deal with blocks, concerns and fears that could be limiting you.
The relaxed atmosphere of our courses will do wonders for your ability and confidence.
Sam Leary
Sam Leary embodies what it is to be an inspirational coach and educator, her passion, motivation and drive are obvious which hugely benefits the people she is with. She has combined her 30 years of broad and extensive personal and professional experience in climbing and mountaineering to perfect and fine tune skills, this enables her to have maximum impact helping people achieve their personal goals and development. As well as providing 'top draw' coaching Sam values very highly having fun and enjoyable outdoor adventures and the sharing of memorable experiences with everyone she is with.
Cath Wilson
Cath Wilson is a highly experienced and dedicated educationalist. Her decades of instructing in the mountains is underpinned by a formal teaching background, she seamlessly melds these with her infectious enthusiasm for the outdoors. All of this combined guarantees any day out with her to be highly rewarding and full of enjoyment. Cath is first and foremost a people person and focuses very much on the individual. Her huge empathy, dedication and complete support will allow you to face challenges and achieve things you never thought possible. A truly inspirational woman and superb coach, who is completely committed and driven to help those around her reach their full potential.
Leading Edge Staff
-
MICK JONES
Mick is a highly professional instructor who thrives in the mountain environment and is extremely knowledgeable of these surroundings. He is very passionate about sharing this with you and is expert at passing on the skills set and techniques you need. Incredibly supportive, he invests completely in you and will help you to develop and challenge yourself.
-
VICKY OWEN
Vicky has years of experience in Outdoor Education and is highly experienced and qualified across many disciplines. She likes nothing more than being out in the mountains with you and will throw all of her substantial knowledge and skills into ensuring your day is top class and great fun too. Her calm and encouraging manner really allows you to feel comfortable and to excel no matter what your experience.
-
JENNY DART
Jenny is a dedicated all round mountaineer, she brings her joy at moving safely and efficiently through the mountains to all her days out. Equally at home in big boots on a technical scramble as she is cruising up trad or sport climbs. Her patience and empathy make her a great coach. Jenny always really listens and understands what clients need ensuring a fantastic day out for all.
-
RACHAEL CREWSMITH
Rachael is a super multi talented instructor whose enthusiasm and passion for the outdoors knows no bounds. Her energy and positivity is infectious and you always have a fantastic time out her. She is a dedicated outdoor professional who is expert at being able to take highly complex skills and techniques, break them down and deliver them in easy manageable chunks.
-
DAVE PERCY
Dave is a consummate outdoor educator, his enthusiasm for the outdoors is second only to his ability to get the best out of people. Time shared on the crag or mountain with Dave will be an immensely rewarding one, not just for his instructional ability but also because of his great sense of humour.
-
MATT HAWKINS
Matt is a very active mountaineer and is multi talented and qualified across many disciplines. Happy in the hills, on the crag or even in a kayak he takes all of this experience and delivers the most excellent days out for you. His wealth of coaching experience allows him to focus on you and your needs and take your performance to the next level.
-
MO BARCLAY
Mo tries harder than anyone we know. That effort is applied to everything she does from structuring and delivering the best day for you or out climbing rock or alpine peaks for herself. She has a vast quantity of experience in outdoor education, across many disciplines and will have you achieving things you didn't think possible.