Abacus Mountaineering, Climbing Instructor and Mountain Guide

Abacus Mountaineering started providing mountaineering adventures in November 2000. IFMGA Mountain Guide Mike Pescod started the business with MIC Mountaineering Instructor Donald King after working together for two years at Outward Bound Scotland.

Our range of courses is always expanding and we specialise in providing exactly what you want. Creating the perfect day for you based on the prevailing weather and conditions, your previous experience and aspirations, is our challenge and what gives us the most satisfaction.

Don't expect anything off the shelf, we only do designer courses!

British Mountain Guides IFMGA Mountain Guides have the highest worldwide qualification for instruction and guiding in rock and ice climbing, mountaineering and ski touring.
Association of Mountaineering Instructors are holders of the Mountaineering Instructors Award (MIA) or the higher award, the Mountaineering Instructors Certificate (MIC).

During busy periods of the year we call on a small team of selected instructors who share the same passion for the hills as Mike and Donald. Your instructor might hold the MIA, MIC or IFMGA Guide qualifications. We only provide qualified and experienced instructors and guides but please feel free to ask about what qualifications your instructor holds.

Mike Pescod, Mountain Guide

Name - Mike Pescod
DoB - 9th September 1972
Qualifications - IFMGA Mountain Guide and MIA
Experience - has been instructing and guiding in Britain and abroad for 15 years. He has lived in Fort William, Scotland for thirteen years where he has climbed extensively and put up new climbs in summer and winter on his days off! Scottish Winter Climbing is his strength but he has made very successful expeditions to Caucasus, Tadjikistan, East Africa and the European Alps.
Favourite Climbs -
January Jigsaw S Buachaille
Astral Highway VI,5 Ben Nevis
Salbitschijen South Ridge Swiss Alps
Les Droites ED1 French Alps
Ushba N ridge TD Caucasus
Tick List -
Salbitschijen South Ridge D 2007
Bombing the Pilgrims V,5 2007
Kindergarten Corner VII,8 FA 2006
Talibalan V,6 2004
Nirvana Wall VI,8 2003
Long Wait Direct E3 5c 2003
Piranha VII,8 FA 2001
Pinch Direct E3 5c 2001
Darth Vader E3 6a 2001
Stormy Petrel VII,6 2001
Central Grooves VII,7 2001
Alien Abduction VII,8 FFA 2000
Torro E2 5b 2000
Mega Route X V,6 solo 1999
Edgehog E3 5c 1999
Les Droites N face ED1 winter solo 1998
Ushba N ridge TD 1996
Ullucara N face TD winter 1994

Donald King, Mountaineering Instructor

Name - Donald King
DoB - 20th September 1972
Qualifications - MIC Mountaineering Instructor
Experience - has been climbing in Glen Coe and Scotland for the last twenty three years and instructing for eleven years. He has a wide experience of mountaineering in the UK and his personal aspirations have taken him to Nepal, Alaska, Australia and the European Alps. His great enthusiasm for the hills is infectious and he is active in summer and winter searching out new climbs.
Favourite Climbs -
Cuillin Ridge traverse VDiff Skye
Torro E2, 5b Ben Nevis
Tower Ridge IV,3 Ben Nevis
Frendo Spur D French Alps
Lobuje Khumbu Nepal
Tick List -
Peekaboo VIII,8 FA 2008
Slab Route VI,7 2007
Route One V,6 2006
Kindergarten Corner VII,8 FA 2006
The Crook VII,8 2004
Nirvana Wall VI,8 FA 2003
Frustration E5 6a FA 2003
Stirling Bridge VI,7 2002
No More Blue Skies VI,7 2001
North Post V,5 2001
Hoarmaster V,6 2001
Central Grooves VII,7 2001
Crucial Times E4 6b FA 2001
Le Midge E3 6b 2001
Pinch Direct E3 5c 2001
Torro E2 5b 2000
Mask of Red Death E3 5c 1999
Heading the Shot E5 6b 1998
Cystisis by Proxy E5 6b 1998

Donald on the first winter ascent of Nirvana Wall VI,8

Mike on Slab Route VI,7

Donald on Bombing the Pilgrims V,5

Mike enjoying perfect conditions