The Team

Dan McKinlay

Dan Mckinlay has been climbing and instructing for the last 25 years and holds the WMCI award. During that time he has worked for many well regarded organisations such as Plas Y Brenin, Glenmore Lodge, and even regularly trained the SAS mountain troop.

Dan has been involved in the development structure of the UK awards such as the CWI, CWDI and the new Rock Climbing Development Instructor (RCDI). He is the director of Mckinlay Mountaineering which has been delivering MT climbing and mountaineering awards for over 15 years. He has personally delivered over 700 mountain training courses making him the most experienced trainer in the UK. In addition Dan is the technical advisor for a number of local authorities, universities and schools specialising in site specific training for climbing walls.

He is a passionate climber, whether its local grit, sea cliff adventures or Scottish winter. He lives in Leeds with his partner and two children.

Charlie mackie

Charlie has been an active and passionate climber and mountaineer for 18 years. In this time he's pursued all the different disciplines climbing has to offer, from ice climbing in the arctic circle, to adventurous traditional climbing in the middle east. And of course climbing extensively around the great British isles! Having completed a degree in Outdoor studies and Sport science, he qualified as a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI).

He's worked delivering a wide variety of courses, including teaching military forces, coaching the British youth climbing team, many challenge events like the three peaks, and self rescue courses for climbers. As well as delivering MT courses.

Mark Smith

Mark has been instructing in the outdoors for 25 years. He holds the Mountain Instructor Award (MCI).

A keen climber, Mark has climbed in many places around the globe and can often be found on the Eastern Edges of the Peak District.

Having worked as a freelance instructor for many years, Mark is currently involved in delivering Adaptive Adventure Training for Wounded, injured and sick service personnel as part of their Personal Recovery Programme. He has been delivering Mountain Training courses for many years and also works in the TV and Film Industry as a rigger, working alongside stunt teams providing safety cover.

He lives in Sheffield with his two daughters.