Clare Dyson: Mountain Leader, Slow Adventure Advocate and Creating Space for Women in the Outdoors

Clare Dyson is a Mountain Leader, outdoor facilitator, and founder of the Women's Adventure Academy, based in the Lake District where she has spent over 20 years guiding people through the mountains and valleys she calls home.

With a deep passion for slow adventure, Clare is dedicated to helping people reconnect with nature, move at their own pace, and build confidence in wild spaces. Her work blends outdoor leadership, education, and storytelling, creating opportunities for others—especially women—to step outside, explore remote places, and feel at home in the outdoors.

In this episode, Clare shares her journey from growing up with a love of sport and horses to becoming a Mountain Leader, working across the Lake District, and shaping a life rooted in nature, freedom, and connection. She opens up about the challenges and opportunities of working in the outdoors, and why slowing down can often lead to the most meaningful adventures.

We also explore the creation of the Women's Adventure Academy, how it came to life, and why building confidence, community, and skills in the outdoors is so important for the next generation of women adventurers.

Listen to this episode to hear how Clare has built a life around slow adventure, why nature can be a powerful space for healing and growth, and how you can start creating your own outdoor adventures—no matter your pace or experience.

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Show notes

Living in Kendal in the Lake District for the past 22 years  Living with her dog and partner  Working in the outdoors as a Mountain Leader and Gardener Enjoying life in her mid-forties  Being a freelancer for Fjall Raven  The Fjall Raven Classic, UK  Doing a Masters in outdoors experiential learning   The Big Hoof Charity  Setting up the Women's Adventure Academy with Anna Blackwell  Being sporty and outdoorsy from a young age Starting horse riding in her teenage years Having her family home burn down during her teenage years and how the outdoors helped Her j