Hi there, I'm Mike. I started Maximum Adventure in 2002. Since then it has grown from a hobby business to  a professional set up encompassing a wide range of talents, cultures, abilities and nationalities. Before MaxAd, I completed a Physics degree at Durham University, subsequently embarking on a business graduate management training programme. I soon realised that my love of the outdoors was interfering with my development of a business career - it was at this stage I decided to embark on a business in the outdoors. I am a qualified mountain leader and have been fortunate enough to travel and climb all over the world; the UK, The Alps, North America, South America, Africa, The Himalayas - the list is long but not exhaustive. I feel people should be more willing to go travelling, climbing and visiting places that they haven't been to. That's why I set up this company - to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors and to say 'you can do it' when maybe you don't think you can. Have a great holiday. We sincerely want you to!

I originally come from a marketing background. Having worked in the telecoms and software industries for a number of years I relocated from St Albans to live on a mountain in Cumbria in 2005. For 3 years I worked for a company that organises mountain biking and started work for Maximum Adventure in January 2009. I am passionate about the countryside and mountains and enjoy getting out and about whenever I can with my family.

I am responsible for organising the trips that you go on. I have worked within the travel industry for 8 years and have spent many winters and summers in the Alps. My first passion is downhill skiing and I am a qualified ski instructor. I have also been a walking guide in the Austrian Alps. I have a great love of the outdoors and could never live in a City again! I am always here to answer any questions you have - just get in touch!

As one of the newer recruits at Maximum Adventure I have a varied background, both in outdoors sports and in research science and have come to work for Maximum Adventure by a somewhat circuitous route! I started my career with an honours degree in Environmental Science at Newcastle. I then moved to Birmingham to complete a PhD on the physiology of diving birds and at the same time I became quite passionate about snowboarding. Somehow, I ended up working on decompression illness (‘the bends'), but the lure of the snow became too much and I ended up doing a season in Chamonix and qualifying as a BASI Snowboard Instructor. After a spell working on diving once more in Stockholm, I set up my own scientific consulting company, headed to the Lakes and got to grips with house renovation, teaching part time at an outdoors and team building centre and getting back into horses - I now have three! I took the job at Maximum Adventure as it encompasses most of my interests and I hope to help with the development of a new range of trips that should keep your adrenalin flowing!

I organise the sales and marketing side of things. Having recently completed my Computer Games Design BSc I decided on a change of pace and worked as a cocktail barman for over a year (no, my surname isn't Cruise - although I had the skills!) My main passion lies in sport, mainly extreme sports. I have been skateboarding since I was 14 and snowboarding since I was 17, travelling to the mountains as often as I can during the season and often hitting the snow park! I love the outdoors and I climb the hills around Cumbria as and when I can so thought that this would tie in perfectly with working at Maximum Adventure!!

Hi there, I'm Carl, the transport manager for Maximum Adventure. I have 18 years experience in the transport industry and  have worked with Maximum Adventure since 2004. In that time I have seen it expand from single trip offerings to the multiple trip operation it now is. You will see myself and the other drivers on the Three Peaks Challenge trips as well as many of the others. We are always there to spur you on and give you some well needed motivation. We strive to offer you the best possible service from pick up to drop off. See you on the trip and feel free to ask me anything.

Jason (JAZ) Baughan has worked closely with Maximum Adventure since 2006. He both leads trips and is also involved in planning and implementation of the larger number participation events. He has lead many of the winter skills training packages, led 5 international expeditions (Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp) and has been involved in European middle mountain guiding trips and UK mountain trips. Jaz is a former Royal Marine from 45 Commando. His mountaineering apprenticeship started as a boy on the Isle of Skye in 1986, then was rekindled as a Marine in Northern Scotland and the Arctic circle of Norway in the 90’s. Since 2001 he has become an International Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, Advanced Mountain Bike Leader and a Rock Climbing Instructor. He is currently working through the UK’s rigorous Mountaineering Instructor award scheme. Jaz has an infectious passion for all things mountainous, whether it’s snowing, raining or a lovely sunny day, Jaz will lead you through the mountains under a serious watchful eye but a witty tongue. When not working, Jaz can be found ski touring in the Alps, white water rafting or relaxing at home in the Peak District.

For me mountaineering is about: being out in the wilderness; giving people an enjoyable and fulfilling experience, learning and having fun. A keen mountaineer since childhood at 17 I had the opportunity to go on a trip to Arctic Greenland. Since then I have been lucky enough to go to, amongst other places, Nepal, USA, Morocco, Iceland, Norway, the Alps and the Pyrenees mountaineering. I am a qualified Winter and International Mountain Leader. I am passionate about this amazing planet we live on and protecting it. If I have train-spotter tendencies it is to do with snow-science (snow-pack and crystals etc) - just tell me to shut up if I don't notice your eyes glazing over. Hopefully we'll meet in the mountains somewhere and have a cracking time.

I have spent most of my life walking and climbing in the beautiful mountains of my home area - Snowdonia, but I have travelled extensively too. As well as Scotland and the Lake District I have walked or climbed in Spain, Canada, Alaska, Nepal, Iceland, North Africa and Tibet, and have led trekking groups in several other parts of the world. However, there's no place like home and my first love is to introduce people to the splendour of the Welsh Mountains.

I am lucky enough to live in Scotland with easy access to the mountains and hills. I am a summer & winter mountain leader. I have done 2 rounds of the Munro's and one of the tops. I have done the 3000 footers in England, Ireland & Wales. I have also climbed in Switzerland, Italy, Spain and France (climbed Mont Blanc last year). One aspect of guiding I really enjoy is introducing people to the hills and helping them to achieve their ambitions.

I have spent my adult life working in the mountains, starting in my native Germany and working my way across the Alps and the world. I am a qualified mountain guide, the highest qualification available and am lucky enough to spend my time between being in the mountains and running my own successful company as well as working for Maximum Adventure. I am a lover of the west alpine routes. I enjoy devising new ski crossings and am a master in finding cosy mountain accommodation. As a Freeride specialist I know almost all the best snow spots in the Alps!

Some say I am like a mountain goat! I like to think of myself as living in my preferred habitat! I have climbed extensively in Europe as well as completing expeditions to Nepal and Alaska. I find when I am in the mountains I am at peace, something I love to share with others and something I find does not leave you even after the adventure has finished. I love to share my passion of the mountains, whether its whilst clinging to a cliff face or over a cosy coffee!

I am a full-time teacher and always strive to ensure my students do their best. In my spare time I am always on the move and can usually be found in the mountains. I am also a qualified mountain guide and I find my teaching background really helps me when leading groups. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and passion of the mountains with others whilst doing everything I can to ensure they achieve their goals.

I am definitely one of the most experienced guides in the Alps as I have been lucky enough to be doing my dream job for 20 plus years! During this time I have been fortunate enough to do the majority of the climbing routes in the Alps, including the Eiger Northface, amongst others. I enjoy being able to assist people with realising their dreams and achieving their goals, whether its an ascent of The Eiger or Matterhorn or their first experience in the mountains. I have been to the summit of Mont Blanc dozens of times which enables me to help others make it there.

Sporting activities always determined the path my life was going to take. First as an ice hockey pro and now as a pro guide, I have been lucky enough to twice make my hobby my occupation. As a guide I see myself as an allrounder. Whether its ski tours, Freeride and downhill skiing, rock and ice-climbing, trekking or expeditions, I do it all with passion. My motto : to keep doing different things so I never lose the desire, and to therefore offer as much as possible to my clients! In the Alps, I have stood on the summits of almost all the 4000m peaks. On expeditions, I have been to the Himalaya and the Andes. My biggest highlight so far was the ascent of the 8000m Shisha Pangma. But the most important thing to me is to ensure my clients and myself stay safe and have a great time in the mountains, and for me to be able to keep doing this for as long as possible!

As a Geologist and Glaciologist I don't just enjoy the sporty side of the mountains, I am also enthusiastic about the science behind them. However, the adventures, freedom, spectacular scenery, friendship and overcoming my doubts and fears keep pulling me over and over again to the mountains, these things cannot be experienced from behind a desk! So whether its studying glacial movement or climbing the Mont Blanc, I am always keen to share my enthusiasm with others, and have fun whilst doing it!

After finishing my teacher training I decided the mountains were more my thing! I am a qualified mountain leader - having now discovered my dream job. I have climbed most of the mountains around my home town in the Bernese Oberland and I know most of the climbing routes, whether its in Germany, France, Italy or Spain where I have spent many months of my life. Also, I feel I have the best knowledge over the other mountain guides on the flora and fauna of the Alps - after all they don't call me the old herbal witch for nothing.....

I seem to be the youngster when it comes to mountain guides, but I don't mind - it just means that I still have a lot of years left to do what I love! Whether its mountaineering, climbing, bouldering or skiing - with this kind of variety you can never get bored in the mountains. With my passion for doing mixed alpine routes and searching for the deepest snow I find myself travelling all round the world exploring new peaks and making new friends along the way.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to the outdoors by my father and began rockclimbing at the age of nine and winter climbing at 14 in the English Lake District. I have been climbing and mountaineering ever since. This experience spans more than 30 years. I hold both the Mountaineering Instructor Certificate and the International Mountain Guide Carnet. I work throughout the year in the outdoors dividing my time between the UK and the Alps. I am very passionate about my profession and the environment I am privileged to work and play in. If this does not rub off when you are with me then I have not done my job properly. I am hard working and committed to maximising the time my clients have to achieve their dreams and aspirations. See you in the mountains!!!!!!!!!!!!!