Meet the team

At YTO, we’re proud to have a core team of highly skilled and passionate leaders. Every member of the team is trained through Mountain Training and Paddle UK, and all hold up-to-date Outdoor First Aid certifications. With years of combined experience across hiking, paddleboarding, and outdoor adventures, you’ll always be in expert hands when you join a YTO event.

YTO Owner Founder

Emma Shipley

Favourite Snack: Pork Pie or Caramel Wafer Biscuit
Best Hiking Buddy: MeMe (Amelia)
Favourite Mountain: Helvellyn

I launched Yorkie Talkies Outdoors seven years ago after 14 years in the corporate world. Leading people in the outdoors is a privilege — I love helping others build confidence, achieve their goals, and experience the life-changing benefits of outdoor adventures

YTO Walk Leader and Admin Assistant

Gemma Lumley

Qualifications:
Hill and Moorland Leader | Outdoor First Aid

Favourite Snack: Peanut Butter Bagel
Best Hiking Buddy: Kerry or my husband Steve
Favourite Mountain: Stok Kangri (India), Snowdon & Pen Y Ghent

I love walking ancient paths and exploring our historic landscapes. Whether it’s a multi-day trek, high-altitude adventure, or a moorland bimble — sharing these experiences with YTO is a joy.

YTO Walk Leader

Kerry Morton

Favourite Snack: Homemade trail mix (mostly peanut M&Ms)
Best Hiking Buddies: Gemma, my sister Mandy & hubby Andrew
Favourite Mountain: Lhotse (Nepal) & Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

I love being “out on the hill” — whether it’s mountains, moors, or hiking abroad. Leading for YTO is a privilege, and when I’m not walking, you’ll find me paddleboarding, scuba diving, or open water swimming.

YTO Walk and Paddle Sport Leader

Lewis Pratt

Qualifications:
Mountain Leader | Rock Climbing Instructor
Outdoaor First Aid | PaddleSport Leader & Instructor

Favourite Snack: Sausage Rolls
Best Hiking Buddies: My best mates
Favourite Mountain: Tryfan

I love being outdoors — whether climbing, hiking, or paddling. It’s my way to switch off and enjoy the moment. I also enjoy helping others experience the outdoors for the first time.a

YTO Walk Leader

Giles Cooper

Qualifications:Mountain Leader | Rock Climbing Instructor | Climbing Wall Instructor | Mountain First Aid

Favourite Snack: Soreen
Best Hiking Buddy: Whoever’s willing to come out with me
Favourite Mountain: Ben Macdui

I love my time in the outdoors, be it in the sun, rain or snow; I could be out with my dog, with family or friends or leading a group, it’s all precious. Introducing people to the mountains is a hugely enjoyable experience as is helping them develop, both in their skills and their confidence. It’s always fun to be out with a group as they all have different aims, aspirations and hopes which makes it a different experience each time.

YTO Walk Leader

Abigail Hargreaves

Qualifications:
Mountain Leader | Outdoor First Aid | BSAC Sports Diver

Favourite Snack: Salted Nuts
Best Hiking Buddies: Becky & Emma
Favourite Mountain: Anywhere outdoors makes me happy

I love being active — from gentle strolls with my dog Belle to big challenges. Sharing adventures with others, whether they’re new to the outdoors or seasoned explorers, is what I enjoy most.

YTO Walk Leader

Rebecca Harpur

Favourite Snack:
Homemade trail mix – with a bit of chocolate, obviously!

Best Hiking Buddies: Depends on the hike!

Favourite Mountain: Matterhorn / Helvellyn
I love being out and about in the hills, whether that's exploring the UK or heading further afield. The outdoors has always played a huge role in my life—it's my space to reset, recharge, and feel grounded.

It's a real privilege to combine that passion with work, leading for YTO and helping others experience the joy of the outdoors.

When I’m not out leading or walking, you’ll usually find me running, cycling, or tucked up in a good pub, refuelling after a big day out!

YTO Walk Leader

Stuart Jackson

Outdoor First Aid Trained | 20+ Years Outdoor Experience
Grew up on the North York Moors | Working towards Mountain Leader

I’m a keen mountain biker, trail runner, and hiker who loves scrambling in the Lake District and Wales. Paddleboarding helps me relax after a tough day.

Sharing the outdoors with my 12-year-old son Josh is a highlight — we love biking and hiking together. Since joining YTO in 2019, I’ve supported many events and am progressing with Outdoor First Aid and Mountain Leader training.

I look forward to helping more people achieve their outdoor goals on our next YTO adventure.

YTO Walk and PaddleSport Leader

Dave Lucas

Qualifications: Mountain Leader] Rock climbing instructor] Paddle sport touring leader] white water canoe leader] outdoor first aid]L3 food hygiene] Expedition chef

Favourite Snack:That cheeky Mars Bar you found at the bottom of your hill bag.

Best Hiking Buddies: Skye (the Dog)

Favourite Mountain: Am Bastier (Cullin ridge)Adventure and expeditions have been a huge part of my life since childhood—they’ve helped shape the person I am today.
Working and playing in the mountains and rivers of the UK and beyond is an absolute privilege. I’m genuinely at my happiest slogging up a steep slope or picking my way up a crag face. Getting to share those experiences with like-minded people—and help them grow amd develop along the way—is the cherry on top.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to be one of the few people who get to do their dream job

YTO Run Leader

Lindsey Collins

Qualifications: UESCA Running Coach | UESCA Ultrarunning Coach | Qualified Canicross Coach | Outdoor First Aid | Canine First Aid

Favourite Snack: Veggie sausage roll or Milk Chocolate Hobnob Flapjack

Best Hiking Buddies: My dogs – I currently have four – Arthur, Stanley, Peter and Douglas

Favourite Trail: Cleveland Way
I love the simple pleasure of being out on the trails - the views, the chats and, of course, the snacks! I’m always exploring new routes to enjoy with my dogs and to share with others. It’s a real joy to introduce people to new places and support them discover what the trails have to offer. Being able to bring that joy to people on YTO events feels incredibly rewarding.