Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of supporting the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) during their Wild Weekender event in Ambleside — a brilliant blend of indoor learning and outdoor application focused on mountain weather.

Visit the MWIS website to book onto an upcoming MWIS Weather Skills Course

As the Mountain Leader for the weekend, I guided participants on two hill walks: Saturday afternoon saw us heading onto the lower slopes of Loughrigg Fell, under cold but dry skies, while Sunday morning’s ascent of Wansfell Pike was a different story — a passing front brought low cloud, light rain, and limited visibility. Perfect conditions, in fact, for putting theory into practice.

The indoor sessions were packed with insight from MWIS forecasters, helping us understand how to interpret synoptic charts, spot developing weather patterns, and make informed decisions in the mountains. But it was on the hill where things really came alive — observing cloud formations, wind direction, and visibility in real time gave everyone a deeper appreciation of how weather affects safety, navigation, and group management.

For me, it was a great opportunity to combine my mountain leadership experience with a passion for education. Whether it’s guiding walks with a focus on the mountain environment or supporting organisations like MWIS with the outdoor delivery of specialist events, I love helping people build confidence and understanding in the hills.

If you’re looking for a qualified Mountain Leader to support your event, deliver guided walks, or add educational value to your time outdoors, I’d love to hear from you.