Mountain Instructors

Sam Sykes

Founder & Head of the Mountain School UK

Sam comes from a family with over 50 years’ experience delivering the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. With outdoor and adventure in his blood, his first paid job was as an outdoor instructor at 15. University followed where he studied international disaster management, then outdoor studies. He worked at many leading outdoor education organisations before setting up his first business in his mid-twenties. He now runs both Sam Sykes Expeditions & the Mountain School UK through the Sykes Group.

From his HQ in the Lake District, Sam and his highly respected team deliver DofE expeditions for schools and groups throughout the UK and globally. Additionally, his companies train and assess many of the UK’s new outdoor instructors whilst also delivering UK based mountain skills courses and experiences to the public. And when not working at what he loves, he is enjoying his own adventures wherever he can, particularly in the Alps.

Chris Holdsworth

Chris Holdsworth – Chief Instructor

Chris has been active in the mountains since childhood, completing significant goals at an early age. With the drive and determination to introduce others to the mountains, Chris began his working apprenticeship at an outdoor centre before leaving school. Working as an outdoor instructor enabled Chris to become the UK’s youngest Mountain Instructor at the age of 22. Since this time, Chris has gained a wealth of UK experience working for notable outdoor companies, including 15+ Scottish winter seasons and led climbing expeditions to the greater ranges, including The Himalaya and Andes. When he’s not working, having already succeeded on the The North Face of the Eiger, Grand Jorasses, Petit Dru and Matterhorn, to name a few, Chris can be found pursuing his next objective.

Kris Quayle

Kris Quayle – ML Course Director &  Instructor

Kris comes from a outdoor family where as a child she was introduced to climbing, hill walking and kayaking. However it was university where she really discovered her passion for rock climbing. Which has taken her all over the world discovering mountains and adventure. It was during her studies at University which led her to getting her first job as an outdoor instructor. Although this was a temporary job, it is an industry she has never left. She has worked abroad leading treks and all over the UK as a walking and climbing guide. And when not working at what she loves, she is enjoying her own adventures, whether it be climbing, hill walking, fell running or swimming. Or mountain adventures with her two small people, climbing, hill walking or canoeing, whatever it be you will find her in the mountains.

Dave Clark

Mountain Instructor

I am Dave Clark, a 51-year-old adventure travel professional with over 30 years of experience in the outdoor activities industry, based in the breathtaking Lake District. My passion for the great outdoors encompasses mountaineering, climbing, caving, cycling, and trail running, allowing me to explore and share the beauty of nature with others. I specialise in guiding individuals and groups through exhilarating adventures, always prioritising safety and education. When I’m not leading expeditions, I enjoy discovering new trails and connecting with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. My mission is to inspire a love for adventure and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Adam Logan

Mountain Instructor

Adam is a UK based bushcraft instructor with a passion for the Boreal landscapes of the world. A desire to teach from a place of authenticity has led to spending hundreds of nights camping out in sub zero forests relying on handcrafted clothing, shelter and equipment. Collaborative work with other instructors, schools and organisations across Europe and Canada gives Adam a unique perspective to reflect on how bushcraft and wilderness journeys are conveyed, and enables him to relate to a diverse audience of students in meeting their learning desires and needs. Adam draws on a twenty year career working in the UK bushcraft industry designing and delivering adult training courses and expeditions where his focus has been on accessing, modifying, and relying on natural materials and traditional processes of manufacturing utility items.

Greg Sykes

Mountain Instructor

Greg has a passion for introducing people to the outdoors. After studying Sport Studies and History at University, he then worked in Sport Development for 15 years and then moved into a G.P Exercise Referral role, helping people with medical conditions rehabilitate, improve their quality of life, and become fitter, healthier, and happier people. Needing a new challenge, Greg started instructing on DofE expeditions. An opportunity arose to work for Sam Sykes Expeditions. Greg then progressed, becoming an Expedition Manager.  Greg has also led on a British Exploring Society Expedition to the Indian Himalaya in Ladakh with base camp set at 4800m in the secluded Zara Valley. Helping charity trekkers complete the National and Yorkshire 3 peaks is another part of his job as well as teaching navigation, wild camping, fell running skills, and swimming.

Fliss Turner

Mountain Instructor

I’ve been adventuring in the mountains in the uk for over 20 years, it started as a hobby that soon became a healthy obsession, which now has become my full-time job. I teach and trained people to become self sufficient and confident in venturing around our mountains, inspire those to try new things and a big advocate of supporting our mental health with the outdoors. I’m a qualified Mountain Leader, National Navigation award scheme tutor, Mountain Training Hill & Mountain skills manager and tutor, Volunteer warden on Yr Wyddfa -Snowdon, Mental health first aider, member of the British mountaineering council, volunteer for the Mountain training association, train and assess Duke of Edinburgh and have led successful treks to Everest Base Camp, Kala Patthar and Mount Toubkal