ANDY HOGARTH
I was born and raised in a small town just south of Glasgow, where at seven years old, I was introduced to the mountains with an ascent of Ben Nevis. Many of my teenage years were spent in the Highlands Munro-bagging and scrambling before joining the military, where I served 12 years. I joined initially as an engineer but subsequently found my calling in Physical and Adventure Training, which involved working as an instructor in a wide range of adventure sports but primarily mountaineering, climbing, and skiing. This incredible job took me worldwide before leaving the military and settling near Fort William, where I live with my wife and daughter and continue to guide and instruct all aspects of summer and winter mountaineering.
More recently, I have had the privilege of training and assessing future Instructors for one of the National Outdoor Centres. Being part of a candidate’s journey to becoming a Mountaineering Instructor is hugely rewarding; I consider it a humbling reflection of my ability to train and assess people in the mountains.
Another incredibly satisfying aspect of working in Scotland is guiding the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. Alongside the classic rock climbs in Lochaber and Glencoe, the Cuillin Ridge is truly the pinnacle of UK summer mountaineering and should be in the peripheral of any aspiring Alpinist.
Living in the West Highlands means I can enjoy the challenges this unique mountain environment provides all year round. Whether it’s pushing myself on hard winter mixed lines on the north face of Ben Nevis or Skyrunning the many soaring technical ridges in Glencoe, I feel so lucky to be able to work and play here. Stand out experiences for me are an ascent of Sioux Wall (VIII 8) with none other than the founder of Synergy Guides, Steve, and a recent long-term goal of climbing 4 of the classic ridges of Ben Nevis in a winter season in under 12 hours. Of course, I enjoyed a dram or two after that one!
- Home: Ballachulish
- Certification: WMCI / MIC
- Favourite season: Spring
- Passion outside of climbing: Running
- Bucket list rock climb: Titans Wall – Ben Nevis
- Bucket list winter climb: Centurion – Ben Nevis
- Bucket list Alpine climb: 1938 Rt – Eiger North Face
- Bucket list race or ski descent: UTMB
