About KQ Mountaineering
Based in the beautiful Lake District, KQ Mountaineering is a fully insured company that has been delivering training courses, outdoor adventures and private guiding for groups, families, and individuals since 2013.
As a highly experienced and qualified team of mountaineers, we have explored mountainous regions all over the world, leading extended expeditions and tackling demanding multi-pitch routes on both rock and ice.
Now we want to help as many people as possible experience the freedom that calls us back to the mountains day after day, year after year.
Meet our founder, Kristine Quayle
Kristine set up KQ Mountaineering back in 2013. Thanks to her vast experience, drive and passion for teaching outdoor skills, the business has continued to grow ever since.
In addition to her MSc in Social and Community Research, Kristine is one of the very few female instructors to hold both the highly respected Mountain and Climbing Instructor (MCI) and Winter Mountain Leader (WML) qualifications.
Her practical experience extends to over 20 years in instructional and staff training roles while working as a senior instructor at a number of climbing walls. She has also worked delivering various National Governing Body awards, including the Climbing Wall Instructor and Climbing Wall Development Instructor awards, and she is currently a Course Director for the Mountain Leaders award (ML).
Kristine currently acts as a Technical Advisor for School and Youth Centre Walls, and is on the AMI TA Register. She has also served on the Association of Mountaineering Instructors Committee since 2018 as the Charities Rep, and is currently the Founder and Chair of the AMI Equity and Diversity Group.
Outdoors for all
There are still far fewer woman operating as leaders in outdoor activity roles particularly at higher levels. KQM is committed to working toward addressing this by running courses where both leaders and participants are female or identify as female. We believe that by creating an environment of empathy, support and mutual understanding, women will be encouraged to join us and boost their confidence and skills in their chosen activity.
AMI - The Association of Mountaineering Instructors
Members of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) have a huge range of experiences and expertise to help you increase your knowledge and safety in the hills and mountains. AMI instruction ensures a higher standard of professionalism and teaching.
Learning new skills with an AMI instructor will move you from one level of knowledge to the next; from one place on your mountain journey to another.