It’s all down to a geography teacher you see, regular walks around the South Downs after school and at weekends. My goodness it was fun, challenging at times but much fun. The first big trip was a half term walk, youth hosteling across the Isle of Wight at its longest points, next trip: part of the South West Coast Path & Dartmoor, then a week in The Lake District. From that start point as a teenager, my love of the outdoors grew. However, being in the South East and living with my parents, trips to the hills and mountains were infrequent and easily adjourned.
It wasn’t until my twenties, having left a career in social care/education and embarked on a business career that the hills and mountains came back to get me, some management development training, taking place over a week in the Lake District re awoke my passion for the hills and ultimately set me on a path which saw me, with my then girlfriend, now wife, move to the North West, to be closer to The Lakes, Dales, Peak and North Wales, begin to really indulge that passion and ultimately make a living from it.
Northcol Adventure is that living. Since 2012 I have been working as a freelance activity instructor for various Private Providers, County Councils, Schools, Nurseries and Charities offering a variety of activities from curriculum enhancement, team building days, personal development, training and good old adventures and guided walks with the odd stag and hen do along the way.
I hold a full enhanced DBS, am a Mountain Training Association, British Mountaineering Council and Institute for Outdoor Learning member. I am a Mountain Leader and Single Pitch Award holder -now known as Rock Climbing Instructor award. I am a registered Archery Instructor and Orienteering Leader. I am recognised by UK Athletics as a Leader in Fell/Off road Running Fitness (LiRF). I can take people on their mountain bikes in to open and upland countryside as well as ‘Red’ routes at MTB trail centres through MIAS. I hold Leave No Trace Trainer certification. Alongside the professional qualifications and their requirements for continuous professional development I am an active Mountaineer & Climber, fell runner with Clayton Le Moors Harriers, orienteer, adventure racer, mountain marathoner, mountain biker, husband and father.
I look forward to seeing you soon
Colin Woolford
