I am one of the small number of women mountain guides, and also have extensive experience climbing at high-altitude in remote mountain ranges. I am originally from New Zealand and lived for many years in the UK, which is where I did the international mountain guide training and assessment (and completed a PhD in public health). Currently I live in Leysin, Switzerland - which is easy to reach from Geneva, is close to the main climbing and skiing areas in the western Alps, and has excellent rock, ice and powder snow right on the doorstep.

My ‘climbing life’ includes first ascents in the UK, the Alps, and on 23 trips to difficult and remote peaks: in Alaska, Cordilleras Blanca and Huayhuash, Baltoro and Hispar Karakoram, Daxue Shan, Himalayas (several ranges), Tien Shan, Sikkim and Tibet. These include exploratory trips to technical peaks such Changabang, Pumari Chhish and Chomolhari; and also some of the 8000m peaks in the Karakoram. I also have experience of expedition filmmaking and mountain training videos.

I have also been involved in mountain related development initiatives, including work with:

• AKRSP and expedition sponsor Eastern Electricity to facilitate the installation of micro-hydro electricity schemes in two remote mountain villages;
• UNEP and UIAA to raise awareness about the impact of global warming in the Himalayas and the threat of glacial lake outburst floods;
• IUCN and UIAA to promote protection of mountain areas in particular the Siachen Glacier.
• The Govenrment of Sikkim and Sikkim Amateur Mountaineering Association to promote mountain recreation as a means to support sustainable development in Sikkim and a guide training programme.