Phil Ralph

I’m a UK Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (MIC) holder based in the Lake District.

My interest in the outdoors started when my new biology teacher at school, who had an outdoor education degree, showed me and some friends a passion in the outdoors. I started kayaking at the age of 12, and enjoyed several white water rivers, then swapped the canoe with rock climbing gears at age 13. At the age of 16, I had a life changing and defining experience when I lost my friend as he slipped off from the top of Ben Nevis, having summited together in the winter. The incidence shook me and I was determined to be better, and thus begun my training towards the MIC. I progressed steadily, climbing VS at age 17, E2 at 18, E3 at 19 and E4 at 20. I then pursued the outdoors education degree at college, where my lecturer was the legendary climber and mountaineer John Cunningham! I then became a qualified teacher and my passion for teaching got me teaching for 5 years before setting up an outdoors education centre.

I worked extensively in Scotland climbing up to grade 5 ice climb in the winter on Ben Nevis.

I also have a diverse background, having worked 15 years in management consultancy. I was based in Bangkok for 8 years and enjoyed climbing in the world’s best climbing spot, that is Thailand! Since then I have returned to Staveley in the Lakes with my wife and 2 sons, and enjoy being back in the place I really love.

Please contact me if you’d like to go on guided walks by a local guide in the Lakes or Scotland or learn to trad climb etc. I will help you get to where you want to be with my wealth of experience in climbing and in teaching / consultancy!