One Year as a Mountain Leader 🎉
- Janire
- Sep 28
- 3 min read
Most people think the highlight of hiking is summiting a mountain.
That view. That sunrise. That “I made it.” moment.
And don’t get me wrong — it’s magic. ✨
But the real magic?
It happens before the summit.
It’s when strangers become teammates.When someone who doubted themselves finds their stride.When a group stops being just a group and starts feeling like friends.
That’s why I love leading.
And why this one-year milestone feels so huge.
Rewind to 2020
The pandemic hit.
I was a single mum, a frontline social worker, burnt out, and battling anxiety.
My mum was shielding while going through cancer treatment.
My dad phoned to tell me he’d written his will.
The news was relentless.
The world felt like it was spinning way too fast. 🌪️
And walking was the only thing that kept me steady.
So, I laced up my boots, grabbed my son and our husky Ghost 🐾 and set out to hike every hill in Shropshire.
And when I ran out of hills?
I went bigger.
Snowdon. September 2020.
That climb changed everything.
It sparked something in me I didn’t even know was missing — a love of the outdoors that felt grounding, healing, and completely transformative.
Four Years Later… Becoming a Mountain Leader
Fast forward to September 2024.
I was back on Snowdon — but this time, it wasn’t just another climb. It was my Mountain Leader assessment.
By then, I’d logged 56 mountain days.
Practised navigation in the dark.Camped in storms.
Studied flora, fauna, access rights, and first aid.
Done endless gear hauls, training weekends, and even ropework practice on the stairs with my son 😅.
It wasn’t easy.
But oh, it was worth it.
Because… I passed. 🥳
Paul, my assessor, even told me my navigation was “brilliant — one of the best he’d seen all year.”
At 36, I officially became a fully qualified Mountain Leader.
Full circle.
One Year On 🌄
And now here we are — one year later. And what a year it’s been.
✅ I’ve led over 100 guided hikes as a qualified Mountain Leader.
🌞 Grown Ray of Sun Adventures from nothing into a thriving community of over 10,000 adventurers across all our channels.
🤝 Partnered with incredible brands like ACAI Outdoorwear, OS Maps, and Danner Boots.
👣 Met the most inspiring people.
💛 Made lifelong friends.
And I know, deep down, this is only the beginning.
What I’ve Learned
This journey has taught me two big lessons:
✨ It’s never too late to start.
✨ You can achieve anything you put your mind to.
Whether you’re dreaming of leading mountain hikes, trying your first wild camp, or simply building more confidence in the outdoors — I’m living proof that it’s possible.
Because this isn’t just about summits. It’s about self-belief, growth, and connection.
It’s about discovering your strength and rewriting the story of what you’re capable of.
Come Join the Adventure
So, here’s my invite.
Come join us.
Find your people.
Discover your strength.
And create your own mountain moments.
Here’s to the next year of adventures — and to many more summits, stories, and shared cups of tea on the trail.
🌟 Ready to Write Your Own Adventure Story?
Whether you’re dreaming of your first guided hike or looking for a new challenge in the mountains, there’s something for everyone in our line-up. From local hidden gems to epic weekend getaways — come and join the adventure!
Thank you for being part of journey 💛
Janire 🌞
Ray of Sun Adventures
“Dare to Roam Life’s Adventurous Side”
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