About us
Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning is a Community Interest Company, a not-for-profit social enterprise
Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning is a Community Interest Company, a not-for-profit social enterprise founded by three outdoor instructors who want to improve how outdoor learning is accessed.
The natural world is a beautiful place to explore, learn and connect with others, the environment and ourselves. Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning provides outdoor adventure education that is easily accessed by all, regardless of background, ability, mobility or the ability to pay.
We encourage you to book an adventure with us; it will be safe and exciting! We will use the profit from your booking will enable disadvantaged groups to access the same level of adventure and education for free. For every four people that book with us, we can offer the same experience to one person from our referral scheme.
We partner with charities, social enterprises, local government and the prison service to obtain referrals for disadvantaged participants to ensure our service reaches those most in need. We know outdoor adventures can benefit mental and physical health, so we prioritise those most in need.
We are based in the heart of Eryri, the Snowdonia National Park, in North Wales where our team live and work – read more about them below:
Our Team
Chris McClellan
Meet Chris, the driving force behind our outdoor adventures! From climbing in the Peak District with his Dad at a young age, to later on exploring Wales, the Lake District, The Alps, and East Africa, Chris’s journey has always been guided by a love for adventure.
With a career dedicated to outdoor education, Chris has led outdoor learning programmes in various settings, including activity centres, schools, and alternative provision. He has managed the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme for over a thousand participants and maintained his incredibly high standard of safety and compliance in all activities.
As a Gold Eryri Ambassador, Chris enriches experiences in Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri (Snowdonia National Park) by promoting the historical, cultural and environmental themes of the area, as well as ensuring best practice. As well as having all the right qualifications – Chris is an Accredited Practitioner of the Institute of Outdoor Learning, Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor, and NICAS course director – Chris more importantly has an unbridled passion for introducing mountaineering to novices and sharing the thrill of reaching new heights safely. Join us and let Chris lead you on your own memorable adventures into the great outdoors!
Emily Sah
Meet Emily, an outdoor enthusiast with a heart as vast as the mountains! Growing up in Bethesda, Emily’s childhood was filled with outdoor adventures, from playing in the woods with friends when she was little, to exploring the mountains in her teenage years.
After discovering the accessibility of climbing through a local indoor wall, Emily’s world suddenly expanded. Having found a welcoming community of climbers, she embarked on newfound kinds of outdoor adventures with newfound friends. Driven by a desire to break down barriers to outdoor access, Emily retrained from timber framer to outdoor instructor, turning her passion into qualifications over a year’s traineeship. Her mission? To get everyone outdoors, regardless of background, and foster a deeper connection with nature and adventure.
With plenty of experience in school residential trips and Duke of Edinburgh groups, Emily has honed her skills in outdoor education, group management, and leadership. Whether climbing rock faces or coasteering off the beautiful cliffs on Anglesey, Emily prioritises participant safety and the utmost respect for nature.
Join Emily on a journey to embrace the outdoors whilst maximising your joy and immersion in it, and minimising your impact upon it. With extensive qualifications ranging from Rock Climbing Instructor and Mountain Leader to Paddlesport Instructor and Mine Leader, Emily is well-equipped to guide you through unforgettable adventures.
Enfys-Haf Jones
Meet Enfys, our content manager at Penybryn Outdoor Learning CIC. Though Enfys is disabled and isn’t always able to go on too many hikes or climbs herself, she has always been passionate about the importance of outdoor activity and immersion in nature to people’s well-being, especially those who face accessibility issues.
A local since birth whose family have been in North Wales for generations, Enfys is deeply aware of what rich and captivating experiences the local scenery has to offer people from all walks of life. When she isn’t doodling at her desk, searching for fun new ways to connect with the wider community, or writing nature-inspired poetry, you’ll find Enfys with her face turned toward a rainy sky, pottering about her garden, or wallowing happily in the shallows of one of Snowdonia’s many beautiful lakes or beaches.
Book today and remember to tag Penybryn Outdoor Learning in your photos on social media so that Enfys can see your smile as you share in her awe at the hills of home and explore what adventures Snowdonia has in store for you.
Sam Jordan
Meet Sam, a highly experienced adventure guide. Sam has always had a passion for the outdoors, whether it’s rock, water, or anything in between, Sam is ready to explore. Sam’s coaching is both effective and enjoyable, ensuring memorable days out for all. His infectious and unwavering enthusiasm will motivate you to develop your skills, increase your confidence in your capabilities, and prioritise your mental health and well-being.
Sam’s journey in outdoor education has taken him across the globe, facilitating diverse groups and individuals in various environments. From guiding BTEC Adventure Education students to supporting at-risk individuals with specific needs and adaptations, Sam fosters significant positive change through personal and social development. Whether it’s scuba diving in the Pacific Sea of Ecuador or summiting Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains, Sam’s international expeditions are always both challenging and exciting.
Join us and let Sam ignite your passion for adventure while guiding you toward personal growth and creating experiences you’ll never forget in the great outdoors.
Rachael Hobbs
Meet Rachael, the bookings coordinator at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning. Rachael makes sure that all your adventures happen at the time you want them, and that all of the paperwork and logistics are completed quickly and fuss-free, so that you can get the most out of your time outdoors.
Despite being on the computer a lot, being outside in nature is the best part of Rachael’s week. Rachael loves rock climbing, hiking, and wild swimming, is a qualified scuba diver, and has skied in seven countries. Over the years Rachael has spent much of her life immersed in what nature has to offer, becoming acutely aware of its benefits. Now, as a trainee counsellor, she is even more passionate about the benefits of time spent in nature to people’s wellbeing, no matter who they are or where they come from.
Working closely with our charity partners, Rachael ensures we can provide as much free-of-charge adventure as possible to those who need it – as a direct result of your booking. Rachael is responsible for the achievement of our net-zero goals, helping to secure a greener and more sustainable future for adventure sports.
Get in touch with Rachael to book your next personalised and adaptive outdoor experience today to make your own unforgettable memories in beautiful Eryri.
