Founded in 2012, Lakeland Mountain Guides has grown into one of the UK’s standout outdoor‑adventure providers, based in the heart of the Lake District yet operating across the nation.
Guided mountain walking has always been our bread and butter—from helping thousands of adventurers summit iconic peaks like Scafell Pike and Snowdon to guiding challengers through the celebrated National and Yorkshire Three Peaks events.
But we didn’t stop there. The business rapidly expanded into a full‑spectrum offering: rock climbing, summer and winter mountain skills, via ferrata, ghyll scrambling, and even mountain running now feature regularly. Our extensive experience has enabled large‑scale charity days (100+ participants) and bespoke corporate adventures for prominent brands. In more recent years, our team has taken on event‑safety roles—combining deep mountain know‑how with highly qualified, seasoned leadership to deliver top‑tier mountain‑event support.
Our mantra is simple: “Live for the Now.” Grab life by the horns. Try something new, bold, and maybe even a bit scary. Join us, and you’ll come away renewed, inspired—and you won’t regret it.
The LMG Team
Matt Le Voi BA (Hons) ATM — Company Director & Winter Mountain Leader
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Matt founded Lakeland Mountain Guides in 2012 and has been leading the charge ever since. While his love for the mountains didn’t spark until his university days, it quickly became a defining part of his life.
He holds both the Summer and Winter Mountain Leader qualifications, as well as the Rock Climbing Instructor Award. Alongside his work with LMG, Matt is also a seasoned expedition leader, operating exclusively with LMG’s sister company, LMG Treks & Expeditions. In recent years, he achieved a major personal milestone: summiting an 8,000m Himalayan peak.
Passionate about fitness and adventure, Matt has also worked as a personal trainer for over four years—helping clients prepare physically and mentally for treks, expeditions, and mountain-based challenges.
And if you’re lucky enough to be led by Matt, you’ll likely have some four-legged company too—his loyal Goldendoodle, Bindi, is a regular on the trails.
The LMG Associate Instructors
James Gibson - Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor
There are few people working in the outdoor industry who can boast an action packed CV as impressive as James'. Not only does he hold the UK's highest level mountaineering qualification, he is also one of the most prolific ultra-runners of this generation. From being the first person to complete a continuous round of the 214 Wainwright Fells in winter, and holding many other records for feats of endurance, to winning the FRA Long Distance Award.
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James is always fun to spend a day on the hill with, and is often assisted by his cocker spaniel, Ralphie.
Fliss Turner - Summer Mountain Leader
Fliss has be playing in the mountains for over 20 years, and it soon became a healthy obsession. In recent years, Fliss is happier than ever as it has become her full-time job. Based in North Wales, Fliss has been with Lakeland Mountain Guides for 8 years and loves being part of the team. Fliss also features on the LMG Treks & Expeditions trek leader team, and has led expeditions in Nepal and Morocco. Continually striving for development, Fliss is also completing her Climbing Wall Instructor and Winter Mountain Leader Award, and she also holds Remote First Aid / Casualty Care, and is a Mental Health First Aider.
When not working, Fliss volunteers for various charities, and as a warden on Yr Wyddfa/ Snowdon.
Dava Waterhouse - Summer Mountain Leader
Out walking on the fells and hills from an early age as a lad in Yorkshire, Dava developed a keen interest in long distance hiking alongside a passion for most mountain sports that rapidly accelerated and he spent his twenties mountain biking, snowboarding, trekking and climbing around the world. After 15 years of living and working itinerantly as close to the action as possible, he settled in the North Lakes to start a family in the UK and finally put down some roots!
Complimenting a cherished spot on the LMG guiding roster, Dava is senior coach at Keswick AC, one of the finest fell running clubs in the land and is committed to developing and honing fitness and mountain craft in the local community.
Carol Renshaw - International & Summer Mountain Leader
Adventure, travel, camping and mountaineering have always been a fundamental and inspirational aspect of Carol’s life from being a toddler with one of her first ‘self-propelled’ mountains (age 5yrs), being Stac Pollaidh in the Highlands of Scotland. Having extensive overseas travel to far flung countries and various 6,000m mountains, he passion for the natural environment expanded to leading numerous overseas expeditions. In the late 90’s a move from Park Ranger with the Peak District to the Lake District brought an opportunity to be immersed in a mountainous environment on an almost daily basis. “Be more Carol” is an expression heard quite often with her optimistic and upbeat personality and in her words, “It continues to be such a privilege and joy to share that knowledge and passion with others as part of the LMG team (family)”
Matt Stapley - Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor
Matt has worked in the outdoors for over 20 years. Previously guiding in the Himalayas, Africa and Europe he now spends his time running and climbing around the Lakes District and Scotland in winter. Always keen to push people to their potential and make them autonomous in their future adventures.
If not working he'll be out with his family on adventures or running with his Welsh Sheepdog Sam on the fells.
Sharon Bianchi - Summer Mountain Leader
Sharon loves being in the outdoors, and having the Lake District fells on her doorstep all her life has been perfect for getting out as much as possible whether on the bike, walking, fell running, ski touring, or a bit of climbing. Exploring the mountains and trails elsewhere in Scotland and Europe aren't too far behind on her favourites list, but she still thinks the Lakes is the best place for an adventure. Sharon has worked for LMG for a few years and sees it as a real privilege to be part of, and work alongside, such an awesome team, sharing adventures in the mountains.
Kev Parnham - Summer Mountain Leader
Kev has been exploring the UKs' mountains for well over two decades now, and helping others enjoy our wild places is a real passion of his.
Kev has worked for LMG for the last 6 years and loves the camaraderie and professionalism of the team, of which he is a keystone.
He boasts a completion of the 214 Wainwright Fells, and has already done a good portion of a second round, accompanied by his fell dog, Ruby.
In recent times he's been to Everest Base Camp and summitted Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.
Kev says 'This isn't just a job it's a passion which never loses it's shine. Mountains are definitely my happy place.'
Andy Mumby - Summer Mountain Leader
Despite having been roaming the hills and mountains of the UK for over 40 years, there's no doubt that Andy's love for it has only grown in that time. He's completed multiple long distance trails in the UK such as the Coast to Coast, the West Highland Way and the Pennine Way. His international summit list is also impressive, boasting Kilimanjaro and a couple of Himalayan 6000ers.
Andy has been involved with Lakeland Mountain Guides for over 8 years and can also be found on the LMG Treks & Expeditions guiding roster too.
Scott Robertson - Summer Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor, Foundation Climbing Coach, Mountain Bike Leader
Turning his lifelong hobbies into a second career, Scott took a sabbatical from the office job about 9 years ago to gain all his outdoor qualifications. His passion has taken him to mountain ranges in Nepal, New Zealand, the Alps and the Dolomites and he is equally at home on two feet as two wheels.
He can often be found roaming the hills of the Pennines and the Lake District with one or both of his cocker spaniels, which is where he now calls home after spending 10 years in the Peak District.
Being over 6'6", you certainly won't miss Scott if you are out with him!
Chris Parry – Summer Mountain Leader, Diploma in Mountain Medicine, Emergency Medicine Consultant
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Chris joined LMG recently to use his mountain experience to provide tailored medical advice, vet declarations and generally help optimise participant health prior to trips. Chris also holds the Summer Mountain Leader award so will be available for guiding around the lakes when not working in Whitehaven or Carlisle A&Es. He has medical and guiding experience on Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Toubkal, Stok Kangri, the Inca Trail and in the Gobi desert as well as mountain rescue exprience. Chris has enjoyed many torrid Scottish winter climbing days as well as alpine climbing, steep skiing and mountain biking.