Expedition Leaders
Chief Leaders | Doctor | Mountaineering | Archaeology | Support & Boat team
Chief Leader
Pete Allison
Pete Allison is originally from Knaresborough in North Yorkshire but due to work is currenlty living in Edinburgh. His interests and hobbies are mountaineering, skiing, cycling, running and canoeing. Pete is a lecturer at the Moray House School of Education at The University of Edinburgh. His main interests are in outdoor and experiential learning. He completed his PhD on moral philosophy and educational expeditions at the University of Strathclyde and currently teaches courses on professional practice, research methods and supervises MSc and PhD students. Pete continues to lead expeditions with young people to Greenland, the Himalaya and Africa and is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. The summer 2009 Greenland expedition will be his 8th expedition to Greenland. He is the author of two books Research from the Ground up and Outdoor Experiential Leadership and is currently working on one about Kurt Hahn and the progressive education movement pre 1944. Pete is also the founder of the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning and serves as a reviewer for several international journals. Pete is excited to spend the summer in Greenland with such a motivated and enthusiastic group of young people and leaders. His is keen to learn more about managing large expeditions and the science projects.
Chief Science Leader
And Ghostbuster Fire Leader
Tim Stott
Tim Stott who is originally from Newtown (Powys, Wales) now lives in Tattenhall near Chester. Tim is a Professor of Physical Geography and Outdoor Education at Liverpool John Moores University where he has worked since 1994. Tim is the leader for Outdoor Education programmes and teaches earth science, geomorphology, weather and atmospheric processes, mountains & upland landscapes, natural hazards and applied geomorphology, fluvial processes and outdoor pursuits (kayaking, mountain leadership, orienteering, skiing). Before joining LJMU Tim was a geography tutor for the Field Studies Council and secondary school teacher in Geography & Outdoor Activities.
Academic qualifications: BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (University of Wales, Aberystwyth); PhD in Fluvial Geomorphology (University of Stirling), PGCE (University of Wales, Bangor), FHEA, FRGS, C. Geog (Geomorph). Tim's research focuses on fluvial geomorphology, with recent work on pro-glacial suspended sediment dynamics in arctic and alpine environments (Iceland, Svalbard, Greenland, French and Swiss Alps; British Columbia); his work also encompasses the effects of forestry in UK uplands on bank erosion and stream sediment dynamics. He also carries out research into e-Learning in Higher Education with a particular interest in fieldwork and expeditions. He has been a Research Fellow in Australia (at Charles Sturt University in 2001 and The University of Queensland in 2005). He collaborates in research with University of Northern British Columbia and University of Edinburgh. He has directed PhD students in fluvial geomorphology and Environmental Education. He has been an external examiner and chief examiner at a range of UK HE Institutions: University of Worcester (2000-05); University of Derby (2004-07); Manchester Metropolitan University (2005-09); University of Cumbria (Ambleside) 2007-10 and is Visiting Professor at University of Derby.
Professional Qualifications: ML (Summer); SPA; BCU L3 Coach (Inland Kayak); Alpine Ski Leader; RYA Level 2; Sea Kayak 4*; Open Canoe 4*; REC Level 2 First Aid (2006).
He has been on three previous BSES Expeditions to: Svalbard (1993); NE Greenland (1998) and Svalbard (2001), as a Fire Leader, Chief Scientist and Deputy Chief Leader. In Greenland 2009 he hopes, with the assistance of YE s, to collect data on fluvial processes with a view to publishing at least one, but possibly three academic journal papers as well as an Expedition Science Report which has contributions from as many members of the expedition as possible. Tim's interests and hobbies not surprisingly include mountaineering, sea kayaking, open canoeing, mountain biking and badminton. If you would like to view Tims personal web page ....Click here and to look at his own photo gallery .....Click here.
Thanks to
Tim would like to say thank you to Liverpool John Moores University for all the help and support they have given him.
Base Camp Manager
Nancy Pickup
Nancy is originally from Rawtenstall near Manchester and loves adventuring in the hills, cycling, reading, cooking and history. Having spent over 3 years working in the BSES office organising expeditions to far flung and interested areas of the world, she recently decided it was time to take some time out of work to enjoy some expeditions for herself. Previously she has explored and expeditioned in Greenland, Svalbard, Russia, Norway and Peru and particularly enjoy long distance cycle touring, hill walking and skiing. She can't wait to get back to Greenland this summer and is looking forward to escaping the hecticnesss of life in Britain and returning to the minimalistic life of the mountains.
Expedition Doctor
Keith Slater
Keith is a GP/rheumatologist living at present in Inverness. A regular hillwalker and skier and occasional climber and looking forward to making the most of the opportunities on offer in a truly amazing location and fulfilling a long-held ambition to visit Greenland.
Mountaineering Leaders
Chief Mountaineer
Johannes Felter
Johannes is originally from Denmark but currently lives in Aberdeen. His passions are climbing, fell running, cycling and yoga.
When I started climbing as a young teenager, it provided the perfect escape from everyday life. Little has changed – my subsequent adventures have all been motivated by the desire to find stillness in the company of mountains. I now teach Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies (what used to just be called RE) in combination with Outdoor Education. I’m interested infinding ways for people to pause and reflect on their inner life – and outdoor experiences strike me as the best way to do this. So, I hope to make possible some big nights out under the stars in Greenland, where we can all stop and wonder how our lives have led up to this amazing trip.
I am qualified as a Winter Mountain Leader & SPA, and am a trainee member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors. Previous expeditions include Malaysia, the French Alps and New Mexico, and 10 years of school and centre work throughout the UK.
Archaeology Leaders
Irene Bews
Irene, originally from Overtown, Lanarkshire, is our chief archaeologist. She splits her home and work life between Birsay, Orkney and Embo, Dornock. Irene runs her own outdoor experience and education business Adventrua Scotland.
Irene was a teacher for over 20 years and is an experienced leader in the outdoors. She has facilitated and led groups of young people and adults throughout Europe with an emphasis on personal development/group dynamics in the outdoors. She has been involved with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, training and leading expeditions in Europe since her own Award days ( years ago!), and was Development Officer for the Award in Orkney. She runs an outdoor experiential education company www.adventurascotland.co.uk with business partner Ally Sangster ( another fire leader) specialising in in-service training courses for teachers, residential courses for young people, and D of E expedition training in Scotland and Europe holding AALA status and (soon to be AAP status for D of E). She also practices as a counsellor.
Travelling, cycling and hiking are her main interests and recently she completed a cycle for charity from Hanoi to Saigon raising £4000 – a memorable experience! She has years of experience of ‘expeditioning’ with young people and hopes to continue to learn...everything!… from practical skills/knowledge to what makes people tick when faced with challenges, and personal insights too, of course.
Ally Sangster
Ally originates from Aberdeen but is lucky enough to split his work and home life between Westray in Orkney and Aberdeen. His interests are mountaineering, cycling, trekking and traveling. Ally was a teacher and head teacher for over 30 years and is an experienced leader in the outdoors, a SML (Summer and Winter) and an International Mountain Leader. He has led groups of young people and adults throughout Europe, South America and Africa with an emphasis on personal development in the outdoors. He has been involved with Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, training expedition leaders. He runs an outdoor experiential education company www.adventurascotland.co.uk with business partner Irene Bews ( another fire leader) specialising in in-service training courses for teachers, residential courses for young people, and D of E expedition training in Scotland and Europe holding AALA status and (soon to be AAP status for D of E).
Mountaineering, travelling, cycling, hiking his daughters and grandchildren are his main interests and recently he completed a cycle for charity from Hanoi to Saigon raising £4000 – a memorable experience!
As an ex-geography teacher and head teacher he hopes to continue to gain and share knowledge of a wonderful, remote environment and help my own and others personal development.
Boat Team
Richard Pattison
Major Richard Pattison, aged 46 is an officer in The Royal Anglian Regiment, the local Infantry regiment of East Anglia and the east Midlands. His parents introduced him to mountaineering and sailing and other outdoor activities. The Army encouraged this interest and after gaining appropriate experience and qualifications he has led expeditions across the globe, including 3 British Army Antarctica Expeditions and most recently a year long personal and leadership development expedition around the Atlantic. Leadership Through The Atlantic was based on a yacht but equally focused on the cultural and other opportunities of the "mighty Atlantic" coast line. The allure and privilege of visiting Antarctica is hard to explain indeed "if you need to ask then you won’t understand". In Greenland he hopes to find the same magical combination of sea, mountains, ice, rock and wildlife. Although clearly deriving considerable personal enjoyment from these activities in both recreational and adventurous terms, he is passionate about using the opportunity to encourage others to develop and expand their own horizons. He currently works at the Head Quarters of the Army Recruiting and Training Division. In his "spare" time he is restoring a 100 year old traditional Essex sailing smack (fishing boat) and hopes in due course to embark on further maritime adventures and visits to remote shores.
Steve Ayres
Warrant Officer Class Two (Yeoman of Signals (Electronic Warfare)) Steve Ayres, 36, from Darlington, County Durham joined the Royal Signals in September 1989 as a Royal Signals Apprentice at the Army Apprentice College Harrogate. After qualifying as a Specialist Telecommunications Operator he has completed tours with 13th Signal Regiment (Radio), 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare), 15th Signal Regiment, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, the Army School of Ammunition, the Defence Humint Unit and is currently serving with the Headquarters 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment. Steve has previously participated in the three British Army Antarctic Expeditions, including the BAAE 05 team that completed the first crossing of the Forbidden Plateau. Steve is a very keen photographer and will be lugging his cameras wherever a photo opportunities presents itself. He is a very active person who loves being outdoors, be it on his motorbike, mountaineering or kite buggying and is looking forward to seeing if the Arctic regions can take a hold on his heart and soul like the Antarctic already has.
Nathan Williams
Andy Kempster
Captain Andy Kempster is originally from Wellington, Shropshire but because of his job is currently living in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Andy runs the adventure training that is carried out at the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. His passions are kayaking, climbing, hill walking, cycling and his family.
" I joined the Army in 1985 and having been successfully promoted through the ranks I was commissioned in 2004. I currently hold the rank of Captain. I have served in many different countries worldwide and have enjoyed the adventure and travel opportunities that the Army has given me. I am a very keen sea kayaker and I have led paddling expeditions with young groups in many different countries including Belize, Cyprus and the best paddling areas of the British Isles. I have paddled alongside Minke whales, dolphins porpoises seals and manatees; and enjoy the freedom of pulling up to a beach and wild camping in remote wilderness areas. I am also a very keen climber and have climbed in Canada, Italy, Germany, Norway and the UK. I have always said that when I get bored with being in the Army I will leave. I am very happily married to Janis and have three daughters Lucy (19), Sally (17) and Amy (15). I hope to meet a lot of like minded people on this expedition and learn more about the environment and people living within Greenland and I would love to have a paddle in a traditional Greenland Kayak".
