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Gemma McInnes | Climber | Mountaineer

@gemm.uk

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@thenorthfaceuk UK Athlete Ambassador
🧗‍♀️ Climbing Instructor | Winter Mountain Leader
🐚 Pembrokeshire #SeaCliffClimbing

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🏔️ North Wales bound this week!

A few days in the mountains getting some valuable MCI practice in and, most importantly, familiarising myself with those classic wet Welsh scrambles. 🌧️🪨

Putting in the miles, getting comfortable with the conditions and brushing up on the skills.

More practice, more learning, more adventures. 💪

@thenorthfaceuk

#MCI #MountaineeringClimbingInstructor #NorthWales #Scrambling #Mountaineering taken in Snowdonia National Park by @gemm.uk

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12 days ago

Sorting through all the climbing kit after an amazing weekend in the Peaks got me thinking about one of the conversations we had: looking after our climbing shoes. 👀 🧗‍♀️

They take a fair bit of abuse outside, so keeping them clean, dry and in good condition can make such a difference to how they perform and how long they last.

And then there’s the big question… when do you resole? 🤔

I’d love to hear from you:
🧼 How do you clean your climbing shoes?
👟 What are your top tips for keeping them in good condition?
🔧 When do you know it’s time for a resole?
💡 Any tricks you swear by?

Share your tips below — let’s get the collective knowledge of the climbing community! 👇

#ClimbingShoes #ClimbingTips #RockClimbing #ClimbingCommunity #OutdoorClimbing taken in Snowdonia National Park by @gemm.uk

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14 days ago

It’s official… my Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI) Assessment is finally booked! 🧗‍♀️💪

Here it is, the next chapter in my outdoor career.

After putting off my training for far too many years because I didn’t think I was good enough.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to learn, grow and challenge myself through some incredible climbing experiences. From high-altitude peaks in Nepal and ice climbing in Norway, to gorge climbing in Morocco, countless glacier crossings and bivouacs to reach classic mixed routes in the Alps, and countless other adventures across the UK.

Every experience, every challenge and every adventure has shaped me as a climber and an instructor, and brought me to this point.

So here we go… 384 days of MCI consolidation. Bring it on. 💪

📸 Photo credit: @clairecarpentercoaching

#Mountaineering #MCI #ClimbingInstructor #MountainGuide #FemaleGuide taken in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by @gemm.uk

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17 days ago

🇭🇷 The countdown begins… Croatia in 22 days! 🏃‍♀️

Running has always been something I’ve loved for the freedom it gives me. My mam used to run long-distance for Wales, so I guess running has always been a little part of me.

I’ve only ever entered one race before, and that was on flat tarmac. I got bored halfway round and went and bought myself an ice cream. 🍦
To my absolute shock, I still somehow finished as the first female. 😂

Training has always ended up leaving me with injuries, so I’ve never actually managed to make it to the start line of another race.

Then came a last-minute opportunity to run at @lovetrailsfestival in the Gower. No training, no real expectations, and I had the BEST time! 🏃‍♀️

But what surprised me most was realising that the time, pace and finishing position didn’t really matter. It was about being out there, exploring the incredible Gower trails, soaking up the atmosphere and, most importantly, having fun.

I can’t wait to explore Croatia. Run new trails, get amongst the mountains and see where my feet take me. 🇭🇷 ☀️ @lovetrailscroatia

A huge thank you to @thenorthfaceuk for the opportunity and for inviting me to be part of an amazing community. See You In Croatia! 🙌

📸 Photo Credit @bluefinch

#TheNorthFace #NeverStopExploring #TraiRunning #LoveTrails #RunFree taken in The Gower by @gemm.uk

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22 days ago

✨️ Women’s Workshops at Gower Climbing Festival ✨️

This year was extra special as, for the first time @gowerclimbingfestival invited me to run women-only climbing workshops. 🧗‍♀️

I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better response, every session was fully booked, with so many incredible women coming along to experience climbing outdoors, many for the very first time.

Seeing the enthusiasm, confidence and support within each group was absolutely incredible and it’s been such a privilege to introduce more women to outdoor climbing and to share the skills, confidence and adventure that come with stepping onto real rock.

I absolutely love working in the Gower and being part of such an amazing climbing community and festival. 💛

Here’s to creating even more opportunities, getting more women onto the rock and continuing to grow this amazing community! 💪

📸 Photo Credit @rhi.climbs

#GowerClimbingFestival #WomenWhoClimb #WomenInClimbing #ClimbingCommunity #WomenSupportingWomen taken in The Gower by @gemm.uk

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25 days ago

Back on the MCI journey! 🏔

Two brilliant days with @kathrynjames_mountainexpertise and @hevlewismountaineering getting stuck into rescue practice around Pen-y-Pass and developing mountain skills on Glyder Fach.

It’s been a tough year juggling a full house renovation, adult life admin, running a business and trying to keep my training moving forward. At times, something has had to give - but we’re finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We have a kitchen now, and today the limestone floor tiles are being laid downstairs… exciting times! 🏡 💚

Really looking forward to now turning my focus back to my MCI journey and working towards booking my MCI Assessment next year! 🙌

#MCIJourney #MountainTraining #Snowdonia #NorthWales #AMIProfessionals taken in Snowdonia National Park by @gemm.uk

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a month ago

Before heading off to North Wales last week, @stu_climbing_company and I managed to sneak in a much-needed day out on the cliffs. 🌊🧗‍♀️

There’s something so freeing about climbing above the sea. We were lucky that the crag was in the shade because it was an absolute scorcher of a day! ☀️

I think we may have gone slightly the wrong way at one point… which somehow resulted in me leading a rather spicy direct finish with very minimal holds! 😅

I truly love this crag — Trwyn Llwyd on St David’s Head. Every route feels like a little adventure!

Climb: Budhad V4 4b
Direct finish: HVS 5a

We’re so lucky to live in a place with so much incredible climbing right on our doorstep. 💙

#RockClimbing #SeaCliffClimbing #AdventureCouple #Pembrokeshire #WomenWhoClimb taken in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by @gemm.uk

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a month ago

Waypoint is heading to Wales for a proper challenge ⛰️🥾🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

10 peaks. 1,800m elevation. 37km. 2 days.

The Brecon Beacons 10 Peak Challenge is officially happening - and we’re SO excited to take the crew away for our first ever weekend adventure, fully organised by Waypoint! 🥾🍻

25th–27th September. Let’s go 🙌

@gemm.uk @bethany_robb @omar_days @abi_ventures @get.beans

🎥 @omardays.motion taken in Brecon Beacons by @gemm.uk

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a month ago

join us for our next intro to climbing in the Peak District on 12th & 13th September for a fun all girls climbin weekend in partnership with @gemm.uk @ulastopka and @bikeandboot

over the two days, you’ll be guided through the basics of climbing and abseiling by highly experienced instructor and all-round legends @gemm.uk & @ulastopka building skills and confidence 💕

we’ll be staying at the @bikeandboot in Hope Valley, a hub of activities in the heart of the Peak District, with comfy rooms, dinner & breakfast included

limited availability-comment CLIMB and we’ll send you the info straight to your DMs 📥

#climbing #girlsthatclimb #climbinggirls #climbinggirl #peakdistrict taken in Peak District National Park by @gemm.uk

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a month ago

pure joy 🧗‍♀️ some beautiful moments from our last intro to climbing weekend back in june

join us for the next one in the Peak District on 12th & 13th September for a fun all girls climbing weekend in partnership with @gemm.uk @ulastopka and @bikeandboot

over the two days, you’ll be guided through the basics of climbing and abseiling by highly experienced instructor and all-round legends @gemm.uk & @ulastopka building skills and confidence 💕

we’ll be staying at the @bikeandboot in Hope Valley, a hub of activities in the heart of the Peak District, with comfy rooms, dinner & breakfast included

limited availability-comment CLIMB and we’ll send you the info straight to your DMs 📥

#climbing #girlsthatclimb #climbinggirls #climbinggirl #peakdistrict taken in Hope Valley, Peak District by @gemm.uk

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a month ago

What an incredible weekend climbing on the Pembrokeshire sea cliffs! 🌊 🧗‍♀️

So much was packed into this Climbing Weekend: Learning new skills, building confidence, tackling new routes, taking in the sights, enjoying plenty of coffee and, of course, ice cream! ☕🍦

It was amazing to see everyone encouraging one another, sharing knowledge and celebrating each other’s successes. That’s what makes weekends like this so special. 💙

👀 Keep your eyes peeled for more fabulous beginner-friendly climbing weekends like this coming soon!

Also, a huge thank you to @rayofsun_adventures for sharing this weekend with her lovely community and helping bring such a brilliant group of people together. 💛

#Pembrokeshire #SeaClimbing #RockClimbing #ClimbPembrokeshire #ClimbingCommunity taken in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by @gemm.uk

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a month ago

What a season! 🧗‍♀️ ☀️

I just wanted to take a moment to say a massive thank you to everyone who has booked a day of climbing with me this year.

We’re right in the middle of peak season, and it has been so incredibly busy. The Pembrokeshire cliffs are full of adventures, and most days I’m out instructing from morning until evening, which means my time behind the laptop answering messages and doing admin has been pretty limited.

So, if you’re waiting for a reply from me, thank you so much for your patience and understanding. I promise I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

More than anything, I'm so grateful for the amount of work and support my little business has received. To be able to spend my days doing what I love, on the Pembrokeshire coast, and share these incredible cliffs with so many amazing people is something I never take for granted. 🙏

I’m now fully booked until November, which honestly blows my mind. Thank you for choosing to climb with me, for recommending me to your friends, for coming back year after year, and for supporting my small, female-run business. I’m incredibly grateful. ❤️

Now… back to the cliffs! 🌊 🧗‍♀️

Supported by @thenorthfaceuk
Photo Credit @marthawilsonphotography

#NeverStopExploring taken in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by @gemm.uk

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2 months ago