Steve Ashton

Steve lived in Snowdonia for 20 years, during which he gained an intimate knowledge of walks and climbs in the region. Among a number of mountaineering books he wrote at this time, the best known is his highly influential and now classic Scrambles in Snowdonia, which was largely responsible for reviving interest in this esoteric sport.

Forays beyond North Wales took him to the Dolomites, the Mont Blanc massif and Switzerland, where he briefly worked as a climbing instructor. A passion for rock climbing and scrambling extends to the rest of UK, with a particular fondness for gritstone.

Very much an all-rounder, he was also a keen ice climber and supplemented Welsh waterfall routes with trips to Scotland, where he lists the 'big five' traditional Ben Nevis classics of Tower Ridge, Point Five Gully, Observatory Ridge, Zero Gully and North-East Buttress among his all-time favourites.

For several years Steve was a columnist for High Mountain Sports and Country Living magazines. He currently works as an actor and playwright.