Meet the Team
- Fully qualifed Mountain Leaders (Mountain Leader Training UK)
- Very experienced outdoor guides & instructors
- Wealth of experience dealing with all ages and abilities
- Exceptional local knowledge
- Fully insured (Public & Civil Liability as well as Professional Indemnity)
- Outdoor First Aid qualified
- Since 2007, we have taken out over 280 groups (over 2,200 people)
TeamWalking is owned and operated by Mark Reid, an acclaimed outdoor writer and experienced Mountain Leader. Mark loves the outdoors and wants to share his passion with you!
MARK REID - Walking Group Leader & Mountain Leader
Mark Reid is a qualified Walking Group Leader and Mountain Leader and is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Mark is one of the UK’s leading experts on country pubs and long distance walks. He has written 17 walking guidebooks, including the acclaimed ‘Inn Way’ series with books covering all of the National Parks of Northern England. Three of his books have been awarded the ‘travel book of the week’ in The Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday and the Guardian.
In 1997 Mark gave up a successful career as an area manager with a large brewery to pursue his dream of making his living walking from pub to pub in the Yorkshire Dales (and writing about it). So far, Mark has clocked up over 11,000 miles of footpaths. Mark is currently featured on ITV Yorkshire’s ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ monthly TV walks series, along with ITV’s weatherman Jon Mitchell, and was recently featured on ITV1's 'The Dales'. Mark is also a Welcome to Yorkshire patron.
Here's a little more about Mark...
- What inspired you to get into the outdoors?
A school trip to Swaledale when I was 16 years old - it changed my life! - What did you do before you were an outdoor instructor?
I was an area manager with a large brewery - Who is your Outdoor Hero?
It has to be James Herriot (vets are outdoors, aren't they?!) - the 80s TV series inspired me to discover the Yorkshire Dales - What is your most memorable Outdoor moment?
Taking my son on his first proper hill walk to the summit of Croagh Patrick in Ireland when he was 5 years old - What 3 items don't you leave home without when going out into the hills?
Flask of coffee, i-pod and my dog (Elvis) - Which is your favourite UK summit?
I love Ingleborough, as its crowned by England's highest Iron Age hill-fort and the views are great - What is your idea of the perfect weekend?
Pub walks and camping with my family in the Yorkshire Dales - What luxury item do you miss most on expeditions?
A hot shower and a cool beer! - Favourite post-walk drink?
Timothy Taylor's Landlord - Favourite post-walk meal?
Lamb shank and mash, followed by sticky toffee pudding - What other interests do you have aside from the outdoors?
I love jazz music and play the alto saxophone, and I'm a big Elvis fan - What's the best piece of advice you've ever had?
Under promise, over deliver - What's the most important lesson you've ever learned?
The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return (Nat King Cole)
RICHARD TARRAN MVO - Mountain Leader
Richard Tarran MVO is a qualified Mountain Leader and Personal Development Trainer with a wealth of experience. He is a Yorkshireman and moved to Swaledale after discovering a beautiful village whilst doing the Coast to Coast walk.
His background is diverse. During 16 years in the Royal Navy he worked for The Royal Family, served as the Propulsion Officer of HMS Ark Royal and conducted aid work in Nepal and Montserrat. In 2000 he was the Deputy Leader for the Raleigh International Expedition attended by Prince William in Chile but more recently he has run expeditions to Morocco, Iceland, Costa Rica, Peru, India and Venezuela. Richard is an Accredited Practitioner of the Institute for Outdoor Learning.
- What inspired you to get into the outdoors?
The sensation of being on top of a windswept summit or ridge as a child. - What did you do before you were an outdoor instructor?
Worked with the Royal Family. - Who is your Outdoor Hero?
Charles Green, the cook on Shackleton's expedition - I met him! - What is your most memorable Outdoor moment?
The view over Dhaulagiri in Nepal. - What 3 items don't you leave home without when going out into the hills?
Malt loaf, RAB down jacket, a cap (specs are no fun in the rain) - Which is your favourite UK summit?
Ben Stack in Scotland followed by Calver Hill in Swaledale - What is your idea of the perfect weekend?
My 4 year old saying "let's go on an expedition" - What luxury item do you miss most on expeditions?
Chicken Caesar Salad (not much green stuff in some countries) - Favourite post-walk drink?
Black Sheep Best Bitter - Favourite post-walk meal?
Pie, pie, pie (Steak and Ale) - What other interests do you have aside from the outdoors?
Canoeing - What's the best piece of advice you've ever had?
Turn your dreams into reality and get new dreams - What's the most important lesson you've ever learned?
You can never be lost if you don't know where you're going to.
STEF ECONOMIDES - Summer, Winter & International Mountain Leader
Stef lives in a secluded part of the Peak District and is a fully qualified Summer, Winter and International Mountain Leader. He's been fortunate enough to have travelled extensively not just within the UK, but also around the world and has currently visited more than 70 countries, a number which continues to grow year on year.
He has led more than 30 expeditions worldwide to all continents except Antartica and to areas as diverse as high mountains, jungle and desert. When he's at home, he enjoys cooking, DIY and likes to walk, run, cycle and climb to keep himself fit and active.
- What inspired you to get into the outdoors?
Awesome views, fresh air, exercise and it’s totally liberating - What did you do before you were an outdoor instructor?
Worked for BT in London - Who is your Outdoor Hero?
Shackleton undoubtedly, he has been an inspiration to millions.... - What is your most memorable Outdoor moment?
I’ve actually had many but one of them was being with students who were sobbing with joy at reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro - What 3 items don't you leave home without, when going out into the hills?
Correct clothing, map/compass, carefree attitude - Which is your favourite UK summit?
Difficult one as there are many, but if you force me I love the view from Crinkle Crags, awesome in any direction, or Ben Nevis in full winter conditions is another favourite! - What is your idea of the perfect weekend?
Being in the hills with my wife, walking, mountain biking or whatever....it’s all good! - What luxury item do you miss most on expeditions?
My wife! - Favourite post-walk drink?
Ale - Favourite post-walk meal?
Steak and kidney pie always seem to do it for me - What other interests do you have aside from the outdoors?
Most things I do seem to involve the outdoors but an indoor thing would be playing my amazing Taylor guitar, badly - What's the best piece of advice you've ever had?
NEVER judge a person by their appearance! - What's the most important lesson you've ever learned?
Trust the compass when you’re in the mist...
ADDITIONAL GUIDES
Whatever the size of your group, we can arrange a fantastic day just for you. The largest group we have taken out (so far) is 72 people, and the smallest is 3. We usually work on a ratio of 1 guide to 12 particpants, depending on time of year, terrain and what is involved. We know lots of experienced Mountain Leaders, so group size is never a problem.
