Stuart graduated in geological sciences from the University of Leeds in 1994 and it was here that he was really bitten by the bug that is travelling! During the three academic years that he studied in Leeds he accumulated a whopping 21 weeks out of Britain, on so-called field trips! (Don't let the department know!!)

In January 1995 Stuart was the joint leader of a community expedition to the jungles of Belize. Following this he returned to the UK for a day before heading off to Goa for some serious rest. It was here that he met a friend of his and the two of them decided to travel overland up to Nepal to do some trekking. In fact when in Nepal, Stuart then led the first British ascent of the North Face of Kussum Kanguru (6367m). He and the team reached the summit in five days.

He returned to the Himalayas in 1996, 1998 and 2001 leading further treks and expeditions to other challenging 6000m peaks.

Stuart lives in Ilkley, West Yorkshire with Chantelle, his wife, and the two of them have travelled around the US, South America, the Galapagos, Australia and India.

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