TreadinGround - Every Journey Begins with One Step!
About Us
Shaun Hibbard
Shaun is the founder of TreadinGround & he runs it from his home on the outskirts of Aviemore within the Cairngorms National Park.
An experienced mountain guide he holds both the Summer Mountain Leader & Winter Mountain Leader qualifications, along with the Trail Cycle Leader and Mountain Bike Leaders awards. Incidentally, he is also a fully qualified archery instructor.
Brought up in Worksop - where links with the legend of Robin Hood may explain the interest in archery - much of his life has been spent in Yorkshire walking in the Peak District National Park, literally on his doorstep, but once a month a journey to the Scottish Highlands was necessary to quench his thirst for the place he loved.
Before moving to Aviemore in 2003, Shaun was a part-time Ranger for the Peak District National Park, based at Fairholmes, which often found him walking the tracks, paths and wild lands around the Derwent Valley area.
In terms of mountain bagging – whereby climbers collect peaks like other enthusiasts might collect train numbers or stamps - he has completed the Munros (283 Scottish Mountains over 3000ft) and is well into his second round of them, having also achieved over 70 Corbetts (the 220 Scottish mountains between 2500ft and 3000ft); 60 Grahams (221 Scottish mountains between 2000ft & 2500ft) and has completed many of the long-distance walking routes throughout the UK.
However to Shaun these are not just a tick in a book, but instead are all part of his life-long journey in exploring: experiencing the ever changing and varied landscapes; wildlife; culture; history and indeed the weather found in these often remote areas – and to be at one with his surroundings.
Shaun's mission is to share these experiences with other like minded people.
He believes that "Every Journey Begins With One Step"
An experienced mountain guide he holds both the Summer Mountain Leader & Winter Mountain Leader qualifications, along with the Trail Cycle Leader and Mountain Bike Leaders awards. Incidentally, he is also a fully qualified archery instructor.
Brought up in Worksop - where links with the legend of Robin Hood may explain the interest in archery - much of his life has been spent in Yorkshire walking in the Peak District National Park, literally on his doorstep, but once a month a journey to the Scottish Highlands was necessary to quench his thirst for the place he loved.
Before moving to Aviemore in 2003, Shaun was a part-time Ranger for the Peak District National Park, based at Fairholmes, which often found him walking the tracks, paths and wild lands around the Derwent Valley area.
In terms of mountain bagging – whereby climbers collect peaks like other enthusiasts might collect train numbers or stamps - he has completed the Munros (283 Scottish Mountains over 3000ft) and is well into his second round of them, having also achieved over 70 Corbetts (the 220 Scottish mountains between 2500ft and 3000ft); 60 Grahams (221 Scottish mountains between 2000ft & 2500ft) and has completed many of the long-distance walking routes throughout the UK.
However to Shaun these are not just a tick in a book, but instead are all part of his life-long journey in exploring: experiencing the ever changing and varied landscapes; wildlife; culture; history and indeed the weather found in these often remote areas – and to be at one with his surroundings.
Shaun's mission is to share these experiences with other like minded people.
He believes that "Every Journey Begins With One Step"
Martin Middleton
Martin is a qualified mountain guide and holds the Summer and Winter Mountain Leader qualifications. He is also an aspirant Mountaineering Instructor and is a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI).
Martin has walked and climbed extensively throughout the UK, Europe and the Himalayas, but he is particularly passionate about Scotland's mountains and can often be found walking, climbing and skiing in the Cairngorms, he resides in Aviemore with his family.
Martin has walked and climbed extensively throughout the UK, Europe and the Himalayas, but he is particularly passionate about Scotland's mountains and can often be found walking, climbing and skiing in the Cairngorms, he resides in Aviemore with his family.
Ken White
Ken holds the UK Summer & Winter Mountain Leader Awards, and is a qualified International Mountain Leader. He is a keen ski mountaineer and fell runner.
He has a life-long attraction to the hills, having grown-up near the Lake District, and lived in Scotland for the last 25 years. He has trecked and climbed extensively in Europe and North America, but is always happy to return to a "good day out" on the British hills. Sharing the day with others who want to experience everything the environment has to offer just makes it even better.
He has a life-long attraction to the hills, having grown-up near the Lake District, and lived in Scotland for the last 25 years. He has trecked and climbed extensively in Europe and North America, but is always happy to return to a "good day out" on the British hills. Sharing the day with others who want to experience everything the environment has to offer just makes it even better.
Malcolm O'Riley
Malcolm discovered his passion for wildlife and the outdoors early on, resulting in a bedroom full of animal bones and a mother aways worried for his safety. Another result was his degree in animal biology, which fulfilled boyhood obsessions with dinosaurs and gave him the opportunity to study octopus (well, who wouldn't?). Working as a wildlife guide, outdoor instructor, ski instructor and countryside ranger for over ten years now, he has been privileged to help people experience the spectacular places and species of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. He holds the Summer Mountain Leaders award, with Winter Mountain Leader training, together with coaching awards in climbing, open canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking.
Gideon Wheater
Gideon is a highly experienced walking guide, he has more than 15years experience of walking in the hills all around the world. He loves and enjoys the countryside and his knowledge of the countryside is unsurpassed, but most of all he thoroughly enjoys sharing his experiences with everyone.
In 1998 he and a good friend established WalkWise UK Ltd, to provide high quality walking holidays and outdoor events in the UK and around the world.
You can rest assured that in his company you are in experienced and safe hands and will have a thoroughly enjoyable walk. (Top Of Page)
In 1998 he and a good friend established WalkWise UK Ltd, to provide high quality walking holidays and outdoor events in the UK and around the world.
You can rest assured that in his company you are in experienced and safe hands and will have a thoroughly enjoyable walk. (Top Of Page)