Alpine Exploratory
The Team 2026

We present the Alpine Exploratory team!

Alpine Exploratory's Edinburgh office
In Alpine Exploratory's Edinburgh office are Lucy, Steph, Nicky, Rob, Evie, Ben, Ione, Caoimhe, Skylar, Eve and Simon. Together the eleven of us are your contacts for your 2026 trip. Please call us or email us!

Alpine Exploratory's researching and leading team
Alpine Exploratory leaders will spread out across our trips over Summer.

Ailsa Gibson

---

Co-Founder
Head of Environment

Claire Georges

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Diane McGuinness

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Jonty Mills

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Lærke Søs Nielsen

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Lou Stone

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Mikaela Toczek

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Paul McCaffrey

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Pete Ellis

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Phil Jarratt

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Rob Gale

---

Technical Advisor
Researcher
Trip Leader

Ryan Mulligan

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Sergio Cisneros Galea

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Simeon Calvert

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Susie Amann

---

Researcher
Trip Leader

Alpine Exploratory's Edinburgh office

In the office and organising your trips are Lucy, Steph, Nicky, Rob, Evie, Ben, Amy, Ione, Caoimhe and Simon.

Lucy Harvey

Operations Manager at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Lucy joins us in the office and on the trails. Growing up on a farm in the Yorkshire Dales, Lucy has always loved to be in the outdoors and doesn't feel complete without a trip to the mountains in the diary! Along with her black Labrador Poppy she is happiest out for a walk whether that be on the East Lothian coastline or up a hill somewhere.

Short biography
A geographer by training, Lucy has worked for Alpine Exploratory since the company was based in Yorkshire. Lucy is involved with many aspects of the business and primarily deals with clients as they book with us. A keen skiier, Lucy ran a chalet between Tignes and Val d'Isere in 2014-15. Since then she continues to ski much on-piste and off-piste (including in Japan in 2019), with a goal of skiing the Haute Route between Chamonix and Zermatt in the near future.

Plans for Summer 2026
In July, Lucy will walk our Davos to St. Moritz route in Switzerland, looking at a possible extension to this route to make it 6 days. Please see our In the pipeline page.

Recces

Steph Ward

Head of Operations at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Steph joined Alpine Exploratory with an extensive background of walking, like many of the team solidly into the Munros in the Scottish Highlands. Steph was Social Secretary for the Edinburgh University Hill-Walking Club.

Short biography
After university Steph spent 14 months in New Zealand, working and traveling on the South Island, as well as Vietnam and Cambodia.

Plans for Summer 2025
Steph will go to the Alta Via 9 for a return visit. After two visits we are ready to offer the AV9, and are doing so, and Steph's latest visit is to add more options - see more details on our In the pipeline page.

Recces

Nicky Mount

Operations Manager, Head of Guided Trips at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
After a four-month trip around Patagonia, Nicky joined Alpine Exploratory and brought her joie de vivre and experience. With a background in the expedition industry, she’s always planning an outdoor adventure and can’t wait to help you organise your next one too!

Short biography
Having graduated with a BA in Anthropology and African Studies Nicky has a keen interest in people, travel and culture. She’s been lucky enough to travel to places such as India, Ghana, Latin America, as well as living in New Zealand. When she’s not in the office you’ll find her out paddling down rivers, walking in the hills or climbing at the local gym. In late 2022 Nicky was able to spend a month exploring Colombia.

Plans for Summer 2025
Nicky will be on our West Highland Way in Scotland, and then our Walker's Haute Route in Switzerland, this year.

Recces

Rob Rannard

Operations Manager, Head of Route Research at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Rob joined the Alpine Exploratory team in April 2022 from a background of hillwalking and climbing around the UK and particularly the Scottish Highlands. Rob was Meets Secretary for Edinburgh University’s Hillwalking Club.

Short biography
Rob studied Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, spending his spare time playing music and exploring as much as possible of the Scottish Highlands. Alongside handling bookings and enquiries at Alpine Exploratory’s office, Rob is also working towards his Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor qualifications with Mountain Training.

Plans for Summer 2025
Rob heads to the Lake District Tour and later our new Munich to Venice route in the Dolomites.

Recces

Ben Hughes

Travel Adviser at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Ben joined the Alpine Exploratory team in February 2024 with a background in travel and hiking that has spanned six continents and covered the Andes, the Rockies, the Himalayas and much more.

Short biography
Ben studied Creative Sound and Music at the University of South Wales. After graduating, he began travelling around Europe and then ventured further afield - spending time in Canada, USA, Australia, Southeast Asia and South America. Now based in Edinburgh, he continues to explore these two passions - often playing music alongside other musicians around the city or planning for his next adventures!

Plans for Summer 2026
Ben heads to the West Highland Way in Spring and to the Walker's Haute Route in Summer.


Recces

Ione Gildroy

Travel Adviser at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Ione joined the Alpine Exploratory team in October 2025 after studying French and Italian at the University of Edinburgh. Her love of languages and travel reflects her enthusiasm for exploring new places and cultures.

Short biography
Growing up in Leicestershire, Ione spent many days out camping, climbing and walking in the Peak District, leading to a love for the outdoors and nature. As part of her degree she lived in Verona, developing a passion for the lakes, mountains and cities of Northern Italy. Outside of work you’ll find her wild swimming, enjoying a yoga class or planning her next solo trip.

Plans for Summer 2026
Ione will walk part of the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Recces

Eve Fawcett

Travel Adviser at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Eve joined Alpine Exploratory in February 2026 after studying Geography at the University of Edinburgh, where she went on many fieldtrips around Scotland and beyond.

Short biography
Coming from York, Eve's hillwalking experience grew exponentially when she moved to Edinburgh where she developed a passion for exploring Scotland's beautiful landscapes through hikes and swims with the help of a trusty YoungScot card. Throughout her degree, Eve has studied various environments through fieldwork, from freshwater lochs in the Scottish Cairngorms to heathy slopes in southern Iceland.

Plans for Summer 2026
Eve will walk the Kerry Way in Ireland and part of the Adlerweg in Austria, for Alpine Exploratory this Summer.

Recces

Skylar Brown

Travel Adviser at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Skylar joined the Alpine Exploratory team in February 2026 after graduating from the University of Edinburgh.

Short biography
Growing up in Northern California, Skylar spent her formative years hiking, camping, and mountain biking. This sparked a love for the outdoors and adventure, which motivated her to explore the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Outside of work Skylar enjoys running and cycling around Edinburgh, as well as venturing further north to walk and wild camp.

Plans for Summer 2026
Skylar will walk the Affric Kintail Way and part of the Via Alpina this Summer.

Recces

Simon Stevens

Co-Founder and Director at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Simon's first mountain was Coniston Old Man in the Lake District. This kicked off an enthusiasm that has led to countless trips in the UK and the Alps. Simon was at various times Trip Co-ordinator, Archivist and Minibus Rep in the Oxford University Walking Club, solid training for Alpine Exploratory!

Short biography
Simon was an economist with Economic Consulting Associates in London working on development bank projects. In 2005 it became time to start a mountain life proper, and after five months of traveling Simon set up Alpine Exploratory.

Plans for Summer 2026
This Summer, Simon will be investigating the Eastern stages of the Jura Crest Trail, in Switzerland. Please see our In the pipeline page for more.

Recces

Alpine Exploratory's researching and leading team

We'd like you to meet our leaders: Claire, Diane, Jonty, Lærke, Lou, Mikaela, Paul, Pete, Phil, Rob, Ryan, Sergio, Simeon and Susie.

From the start of Alpine Exploratory in 2005, all our trek leaders have been International Mountain Leaders (IMLs). The IML under the organisation of the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) is the professional qualification to lead trekking and mountain walking groups worldwide. Supporting the IML award ensures for our clients the highest standards in leadership, safety and environmental awareness.

The IML is one of two mountaineering awards that are recognised internationally, the other being the UIAGM Guide. In the UK the IML holders are represented by the British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML). Until early 2005 the IML was known as the European ML in the UK and the Accompagnateur in France. Some of us are old enough that we passed the EML, as it was..!

Ailsa Gibson

Co-Founder and Head of Environment at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Ailsa is an environmentalist and an experienced walker and skier, with trips to Iceland, Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Slovenia as well as plenty in the Lake District and the Highlands.

Short biography
Ailsa's environmental experience covers the fields of planning, conservation, local environmental quality and climate change. Ailsa spent a summer on the Isle of Skye while researching forestry management for the John Muir Trust.

Ailsa on LinkedIn
Recces

Claire Georges

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Claire is our French mountain guide on the ground in the Chamonix region. She speaks excellent English after living overseas. Being from the Chamonix region, she has been hiking, mountaineering and many other outdoor activities for as long as she can remember, and she looks forward to guiding you on your upcoming hike!

Short biography
With a background as a pharmacist, Claire decided to make a career change and obtain her International Mountain Leader qualifications in 2022. Claire has been leading trips in the French Alps (Mont-Blanc, Vanoise, Fiz, Beaufortain, Ecrins etc), Italian Alps and Swiss Alps since qualifying, and she is excited to discover new regions too.

Plans for Summer 2026
Claire will be leading our Walker's Haute Route and Tour du Mont Blanc trips for us this year.

Recces

Diane McGuinness

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Diane is an expert in the Italian Dolomites, spending whole Summers researching hiking routes and leading groups on the Alta Via 1, the Alta Via 2, and her own routes. As well as Italian and French language and cultural knowledge, Diane has vast experience of successful incident management of accidents and injuries, and an eye for the logistics and organisation that make a trip a success.

Short biography
Diane was manager at Patterdale Youth Hostel in the Lake District, later working in operations for three large travel companies. Diane's UK base is in the Lakes, and since 2005 she has lived and worked amongst the mountains of Italy and France. Diane has a wealth of local knowledge and enthusiasm for their many attributes, whether language, history, fauna and flora, local legends or the fantastic food and drink to be encountered on the way. Diane loves to find the cosiest refuges and the best restaurants along the way.

Plans for Summer 2026
Diane will be in the hills on our Dolomites trips (the AV1, AV2 and AV9) this year.

Recces

Jonty Mills

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Jonty is a mountain leader and a medical doctor. Jonty has been hill-walking, climbing, skiing and biking in many areas of the UK for 20 years, including across the Scottish Highlands & Islands, the Lake District and Wales. His overseas experience includes multiple trips to the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Rocky and Coast Mountains of Canada, Corsica, Morocco as well as Mount Kenya.

Short biography
Jonty lives near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. He still practises part-time as a doctor, with interests in Infection as well as Mountain Medicine, but now spends more of his time guiding and instructing in the mountains. When not working, he can usually be found either back in the mountains again, or enjoying family-time at home with his wife and two young sons.

Plans for Summer 2026
Jonty will be leading our privately guided Haute Route in 2026.

Recces

Lærke Søs Nielsen

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Born and raised in rural Scandinavia, Lærke grew up immersed in wild landscapes and now calls the Scottish Highlands home. She leads treks across the globe, with a deep love for the mountains of the northern hemisphere — particularly Northern Norway, Greenland, and the iconic long-distance routes of the Alps.

Short biography
After beginning her career in international relations, Lærke followed her passion into the outdoors, earning a postgraduate degree in Outdoor Education from the University of Edinburgh in 2018, alongside a wide range of guiding and instructional qualifications. When she's not guiding or teaching, she's exploring her local Cairngorm mountains by foot, bike, or — most happily — at the end of a climbing rope.

Plans for Summer 2026
Lærke will be leading a private guided Lofoten Islands trip in Summer 2026, as well as completing Alpine Exploratory's recce in this area.

Recces

Lou Stone

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Lou has a wide range of experience leading a variety of trips, from hut to hut trekking and via ferrata in Italy, to Snowshoeing in Arctic Norway. Now based in Switzerland, Lou has enjoyed exploring her home close to the Alps.

Short biography
Lou has been exploring mountains by many means since 1997, mostly in the UK and Western Europe. Particular highlights have been: an ascent of Mera Peak (6,476m) in Nepal; a birthday trad multi-pitch up the East Face of Tryfan in N Wales; picking off four 4,000ers in a day in the Monte Rosa massif on the Italian side; and seeing a brocken spectre on Angel’s Ridge in a Cairngorms winter in Scotland.

Plans for Summer 2026
Lou will be looking into extending our Davos to St Moritz trip in Switzerland this year

Recces

Mikaela Toczek

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Mikaela is an International Mountain leader, Outdoor Educator and Media-maker currently living and working in Slovenia with her young family. Mikaela is passionate about how we connect with our natural environment and can usually be found hiking, running, climbing, swimming or snowshoeing in the forests, mountains and open-water of Slovenia.

Short biography
Prior to moving to Slovenia, Mikaela was based in Wales, working with groups exploring the Brecon Beacons, teaching climbing on the Gower Peninsula and leading overseas expeditions, including India, Morocco, South Africa and Nicaragua. With a background in teaching, Mikaela brings her expertise in experiential learning to all that she does, particularly when it comes to the incredible adaptations that can be found in Alpine flora and fauna.

Plans for Summer 2026
Mikaela is usually part of our recce team in the Julian Alps in Slovenia, is working on other things this year, and will return!

Recces

Paul McCaffrey

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Paul joined Alpine Exploratory in 2022 bringing an enormous range of experience across Europe and further afield. Paul is based in Winchburgh outside Edinburgh. A perfect day for Paul is one where he is challenging himself, guiding other like-minded people in beautiful wild places and bringing those places to life.

Short biography
In 2014-15 Paul was on the Nightwatch scheme at Glenmore Lodge, responsible for kit stores at this famous outdoor centre in the Cairngorms. Paul has since worked at other outdoor centres and is a long-standing leader with one of the big walking firms in Scotland.

Plans for Summer 2026
In Summer 2026 Paul will lead our Alta Via 9 trip, as well as completing our recce on this route. Recces

Pete Ellis

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Most summers Pete can be found working in the European Alps. Outside the summer, Scotland is a favourite destination - Pete has climbed all 282 Munros twice, the highest Scottish peaks - or trips to mountains anywhere around the world if the itinerary looks appealing! Pete is one of our longest-serving freelance employees, and as of September 2024 has clocked up 47 trips for us, since a first TMB in 2009.

Short biography
Pete was an International Mountain Leader for 15 years, and led walks and treks in many parts of the world. The Chamonix area was a particular speciality. In addition, he has climbed many mountains across the globe, including the Seven Continental Summits, finishing on Everest (Tibet side) in 2012. Pete is now our lead researcher of new trips, often being sent out to do the first recce and write the initial routecards. Usually he returns with an enthusiastic recommendation; just occasionally, with tales of daring exploits which rate the trek beyond the scope of our clients!

Plans for Summer 2026
Pete will be visiting the Swiss Jura Crest Trail (Eastern half) for Alpine Exploratory this year. Please see details of our trips in the pipeline.

Recces

Phil Jarratt

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Phil Jarratt is a widely experienced mountain leader. Formerly based in Chamonix year-round, then in South Africa and Malaysia, and now in Northumberland, Phil returns to Chamonix in the Winters to lead snowshoe walks.

Short biography
Phil has trekked and been on expedition in Europe, South America, Southern Africa, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, China and Mongolia. Before life in the mountains, Phil spent several years in industry.

Plans for Summer 2026
Phil will be leading our Via Alpina guided trip this summer!

Recces

Rob Gale

Technical Advisor, Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Rob's experience in European mountains includes France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Romania, and in the USA his travels have taken him to Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada and into Montana including many 14,000ft peaks.

Short biography
Rob is based in Austwick in North Yorkshire and in Chamonix in France. Rob works for a variety of organisations on training and development on professional and degree courses.

Plans for Summer 2026
In Summer in the Alps, Rob again forms the main part of our Tour du Mont Blanc programme. Rob continues to be our Technical Advisor to oversee our walking and researching procedures.

Recces

Ryan Mulligan

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Raised in Ireland, studied in England, worked in Scotland, Ryan now lives in the Alps in a little visited region of Austria, called East Tyrol. Having previously worked as an engineer, Ryan pursued his dreams and now works as a full-time hiking and MTB guide in the Summer, then steps into skis for the winter and works as a ski instructor.

Short biography
Ryan is an experienced IML who has guided trips in the Dolomites (Italy), Bernese Oberland (Switzerland), Pennine Alps (Switzerland and Italy), the Allgaü and Bavaria (Germany) and Tyrol (Austria). He is happiest challenging himself in the Alpine environment, exploring new and exotic lands or sharing a beer with some new friends. His previous adventures have included motorbiking the Silk Roads, cycletouring through the Balkans, climbing the Matterhorn (photo) and ski touring across the Alps. Join Ryan this Summer for his amusing stories and easy-going nature.

Plans for Summer 2026
Ryan will be leading the Alta Via 1 for us in July 2026!

Recces

Sergio Cisneros Galea

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Sergio is passionate about wild places and the natural world. He is Spanish by birth, but today lives in France in the beautiful Tarentaise Valley in a mountain landscape he adores. He began his guiding career at the very young age of 15 years old in Spain. The goal was to encourage people to experience nature and the outdoors, as a result his passion for the mountains was born.

Short biography
Today, Sergio is an International Mountain Leader with more than 16 years of experience in leading groups of hikers. Sergio works in mountain ranges across Europe from the Alps, to the Pyrenees, Portugal, Tuscany and Morocco. As a Yoga teacher, Sergio leads Yoga and mountain retreats where he combines the world of mountains with the sacred wisdom of Yoga and meditation. You can be sure to learn lots from Sergio about the mountain environment. As well as his native Spanish tongue, Sergio also speaks English,French, Catalán and Italian.

Plans for Summer 2026
Sergio will be leading the Tour du Mont Blanc for us in 2026!

Recces

Simeon Calvert

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Originally from Scotland, Simeon is now based in The Netherlands, where the rest of the year he works as Associate Professor in Transportation Engineering at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft).

Short biography
Simeon describes himself as a passionate mountaineer and hiker, as well as a competitive sportsman, and can often be found posting fast times in middle and long distance trail competitions. He has a longstanding love for the mountains and loves to facilitate similar adventures for others. He has been leading trips throughout Europe since 2016 and qualified as an International Mountain Leader in 2022.

Plans for Summer 2026
Simeon will be leading on the Alta Via 1 route in the Dolomites, for us this summer!

Recces

Susie Amann

Researcher and Trip Leader at Alpine Exploratory

Introduction
Susie Amann is an International Mountain Leader who has loved journeys in the outdoors since she did her first 'expedition' on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme aged 14.

Short biography
Since then she has spent over 30 years exploring on all five continents and has a taste for deserts as well as mountains. Susie has been leading trekking groups since 2005; in the Alps and Dolomites, as well as the UK and further afield: India, Nepal, Cuba, Jordan, Peru, Bolivia and more. She enjoys learning about the local culture wherever she is, and especially the local cake specialities. Based in the southern Cotswolds, she cycles and paddleboards as well; in 2021 she raised over £2000 for Samaritans cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats. In the winter she continues exploring, seeking adventure in the back country on skis when possible.

Plans for Summer 2026
Susie will be leading the Alta Via 2 for us this summer!

Recces

Guided and Self-Guided Holidays - see them all