Meet Our Team

Michael and Paula

Michael Goude

Owner, Mountain and River Leader

“I grew up hiking in the hills and kayaking on rivers then discovered rock climbing while studying at University. It was years later when I changed my hobby into my career, retraining to teach Outdoor Adventure Sports at a higher education college that I saw how the young people grew through learning new skills and experiencing new activities, and it made me want to teach more widely. I founded RockRiver Expeditions in 2015 and now work with people of all ages, throughout the UK, teaching skills and facilitating your adventures.”

“I will help you take your first steps into the mountains, discover the thrill of climbing on rock and the exhilaration of paddling down rivers.  Or if you’re already out there and want to improve I will share my knowledge and experience to enable you to stretch your horizons further.”

Michael has led expeditions in the UK, Europe, South America, Africa, South East Asia, Nepal and Tibet and has explored Canada and New Zealand. He has climbed the highest mountain in Europe, Mt Elbrus (5,642m), Mount Meru (4,562m) and Kilimanjaro (5,895m) in Tanzania, the highest mountain in the Atlas Mountains, Toubkal (4,167m) and the highest mountain in Borneo and Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu (4,095m). But his trip to climb Cho Oyu, the world’s 6th highest mountain was aborted due to an earthquake in 2015 – there’s unfinished business there!

Michael is a Rock Climbing Instructor, an International Mountain Leader and holds the Mountain Instructor Award. He is a Level 2 Paddlesport Coach and a BASI Level 2 Ski Instructor.  He is also trained in Emergency First Aid.

 

Paula Goude

Operations Manager

Paula hikes, climbs, skis and enjoys canoeing but generally just loves the Great Outdoors.  Trekking the Haute Route in Switzerland she fell in love with the mountains. So much so she returned to repeat the trek seven years later with Michael. She now takes every opportunity she can to explore the mountains in the UK and Europe, including the summit of Toubkal (4,167m) in the Atlas Mountains.

She brings over 25 years experience of sales and marketing to the business. Paula organises our office, workshops, courses and adventures so it is likely she’ll be your first point of contact when booking onto one of our events or workshops.

Paula holds the Lowland Leader qualification, is trained in Mountain First Aid and is a Duke of Edinburgh Award Assessor (Bronze, Silver & Gold).

Languages: English, Italian, French

What our clients say about us…

Contact Us - don't be shy!

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Email: info@rockriver.co.uk
Twitter: @RockRiverExped
Instagram: @RockRiver_Expeditions
Facebook: @RockRiverExpeditions
Phone: 01430 876866 / 07976 899010 / 07968 230871

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