Lou Reynolds
Born: I grew up in Devon in a little village called South Brent on the edge of Dartmoor.
Lives: I live in the Scottish Highlands in a small village called Newtonmore. It is positioned a similar distance between Ben Nevis and the Cairngorms.
Fave colour: Oft hard one... probably turquoise.
Fave mountain snack: Homemade flapjack with loads of goodies in it.
What do you love most about being a mountain guide?
Seeing people achieve things they didn't think they could before, learning, becoming more confident or feeling empowered in what they are doing. Also sharing the mountains with people and seeing the joy they have in a view I had seen a thousand times, it makes me see it with fresh eyes again.
What inspired you to become a guide?
Firstly I was fascinated by Mountains from the age of about 12 when I first visited the alps. The idea of becoming a guide first entered my head when walking some of the high level walking routes in the alps with my mum aged 13/14 and seeing some Guides with clients. I had never met a guide and didn't know anyone who was one, in Devon. I noticed they all seemed to be older males so I exclaimed to my mum that perhaps I could become a guide when I retired, thinking I must have to have some other job 'Proper Job' first. This little nugget of an idea about becoming a guide stayed and grew and soon I was finding about Rock climbing courses and intro to alpinsim courses and reading any books I could find on alpinism.
What’s the most valuable lesson you have learnt?
To focus on the present moment and enjoy the process rather than living for the end goal. The times in my life when I have struggled the most, I have usually given too much energy to past frustrations or fears about the future or wishing something was different. Having big long goals like the Guide Scheme have sometimes made me feel overwhelmed like the task is too great and long. When you break it down and just focus on the now you can create incremental steps to reach the big goal but without focusing on it too much. This has helped me not to let fear of failure or other fears overwhelm me too much and in doing so I have been more able to focus on what I am learning right now.
What's your proudest moment?
Passing my BMG Scottish Winter test at the end of this season, as it is renowned for being the hardest of all the assessments. To top this off, then having the right conditions and opportunity to do a Cuillin Winter Traverse in 11 hours just before Lock down. The two together gave me a very satisfying end to the winter season.
What's tough about your job?
Bad weather is tough, when the weather inhibits clients being able to do the routes they would like to. Looking after your body is also tough, especially in a hard Scottish Winter with lots of bad weather. Colds can easily go to chest infections and niggly injuries can become chronic pain so it is always a fine balance of looking after yourself, working, training and having the chance to climb for your own enjoyment as well.
What advice would you give the next generation of female mountain guides?
Dream big but keep focusing on what is happening now and how you can make the most of that moment.
And also: find out and know your own strengths. Draw quiet, confidence from these strengths. You don't need to be the same as men, the difference is what makes you unique!
Name a fact about yourself not many people know (that you're happy to share).
I don't have an appendix.
Contact LOU:
E-mail: loureynolds@live.co.uk