Welcome

Hello, thank you for visiting my website. My name is Lewis and I run LithoPeaks, which offers hikes and mountain skills training in the Lake District, UK. The name LithoPeaks represents my combined interests in mountains and geology, whereby the Litho part was derived from the Greek word for stone (lithos).

As a certified mountain leader and a geologist, the hikes and training courses that I run are aimed at giving you an exciting and memorable outdoor experience, with the opportunity to gain new skills and mountain knowledge in a friendly environment.

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in a guided mountain hike or are looking for some mountain skills training. Group bookings are very welcome, but there is a limit of 6 people for the technical training courses in order to provide the most affective training. I am very happy to have a chat with you to discuss your requirements.

Background

I have always loved spending time in mountains, having grown up living in the Lake District and spending many years exploring Snowdonia (north Wales) and the Brecon Beacons. In May 2023, I completed my Mountain Leader qualification through the Mountain Training Association. Whilst I love being outdoors, I also love to teach and share my knowledge to help people develop new skills and confidence.

Qualifications and certifications

▲Mountain Leader
▲ITC Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid
▲PhD in Geology
▲First-class BSc in Geoscience

Transferable mountain skills

▲ Route planning and strategies
▲ Map reading and mountain navigation
▲ Night navigation
▲ Techniques for moving efficiently over mountainous terrain
▲ Weather in the mountains
▲ Camp management and safety
▲ Geology and geomorphology
▲ Upland ecology
▲ Group management
▲ Outdoor first aid

Interest in geology

Geology is a natural science that involves the study of rocks, soils, mountains, and the processes that form them. I have spent most of my career in geology and completed my geology PhD in 2019. It is a science that be explored and enjoyed when venturing out into the mountains and can offer a deeper appreciation of the landscape. What I find fascinating is can tell you about the past conditions on Earth. The Lake District has fantastic geology where you can explore and gain insights into its volcanic and glacial past.

And, whether it is geology, ecology or another topic, taking the time to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the mountains we enjoy will provide a new dimension to every hike. If you would like more information about mountain hiking or training, please get in contact with me.