About AP Mountaineering

Andrew Paul is the man behind AP Mountaineering and when he’s not hiking up mountains, he’s hurtling down them on his mountain bike. Presently, he is a Qualified Mountain Leader and a Mountain Bike Leader level 2. He is also working towards further winter walking, mountain biking and climbing qualifications in order to fully share his love of outdoor activities with others.

An adventure seeker from a young age, Andrew was naturally drawn to exploration and it was when he spent time living in New Zealand that he truly discovered his love for the peaks. Spending time in Queenstown (on the South Island of New Zealand), he scaled Ben Lomond of the Southern Alps (not to be confused with the Scottish Ben Lomond) and it was here that his passion for the beauty and majesty of mountains first bloomed.

Subsequent trips to Indonesia, Nepal, Peru and various other countries, with his partner, cemented this adulation, and a trip to visit friends in Slovenia saw an introduction to rock climbing that showed another side to being in the hills he so adored walking & biking in.

In early 2018 Andrew and his partner made the move to Scotland. This has allowed his dream of AP Mountaineering to become a reality as he explored Scotland’s endless, beautiful mountains and glens, and gained his Summer Mountain Leader qualification.

Prior to his move to Scotland he worked in social housing for his local council helping people in all walks of life. He hopes to help people in a different way now, to give them the skills to allow them the freedom he has to explore the mountains and make the most of this beautiful country.

Up for a Challenge

Andrew has always been up for a challenge, whether it be self imposed or otherwise. He has completed the famed Lands End to John O’Groats cycle ride (albeit in reverse), and even added to the task by deciding to scale Britain’s three highest peaks, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, en route. This added a further 200 miles to his round trip and meant he had to also be self sufficient in carrying his own equipment along the way.

Andrew loves being outdoors in the mountains, be it walking, climbing or biking but also making the most of the superb local areas around Edinburgh. He can often be found, gravel-riding in East Lothian, walking in the Pentland hills or down in the borders with his mountain bikes. Sitting still is not his forte!

But most of all he loves sharing his passion with others and encouraging their adventures, be it through navigation courses where he encourages people to be safe while exploring. And through guiding walks or rides so people can relax while exploring new places.