Stephen Reid

Founder and Director of Needle Sports, rock climber, winter climber, alpinist and ski-tourer, Stephen Reid has been on expeditions to the Karakorum, Greenland, Tibet and the Andes. He has established numerous new routes in Wales, the Lakes and Galloway (Southern Scotland), the Staunings Alps of Greenland, and Peru and has had articles and gear reviews published in many of the major UK climbing magazines and journals. He has also written (with Steve Ashton) a guide-book to Lake District Climbing, "100 Classic Climbs in the Lake District", was editor of the FRCC Climbing Guides to the Lake District from 1999 - 2012 and wrote the section on Pillar Rock and Ennerdale for the 2007 Gable & Pillar guide. He also wrote the Galloway Mountains and Dumfries Outcrops sections for the SMC Lowland Outcrops guide. In 2019, Stephen retired from working at the shop, though he still maintains the website and owns the business.

Above : Stephen Reid leading the final pitch of Smear Test (IV, 3,4,4) on Cairnsmore of Fleet, Galloway, during the first ascent in 1996. Photo: Doug Scott

Above: Stephen Reid leading the crux pitch of Caucus Race (E3, 5a,6a,5a,5b), Pillar Rock, during the first ascent in 1993. Photo: John Campbell

Above : Stephen Reid leading Incy Wincy Spider (E2 5b) on the Dungeon of Buchan, Galloway, during the first ascent in 1991. Photo: Joe Grinbergs

Above: Stephen Reid leading the first pitch of The Colonel's Corner (HVS 5b,4b,4c,5a) on the Dungeon of Buchan, Galloway, during the first ascent in 1991. Photo: Joe Grinbergs

Above: Stephen Reid leading Fyrstikka (WI5), Rjukan, Norway in 2005. Photo: Colin Wells

Above: Stephen Reid leading Coel Fain (E2 5c) on Craig an Eilte, Galloway, during the first ascent in 2002. Photo: Mick Nunwick

Above: Stephen Reid attempting Sick Heart River (E3 5c), on Napes Needle on Great Gable in 2000. He led the first ascent of the climb the following day with Ron Kenyon. Photo: Colwyn Jones

Above: Stephen Reid in the Staunings Alps, East Greenland 2003. Right leading the "Impossible Wall" and below the first pitch - both on the first ascent of the South Ridge of Dansketinde (2933m). All photos by Jonathan Preston, Reid Collection.

How to cheat at fell walking!

Sally and Stephen Reid on Bambi and Charlie respectively with Bonny the dog, on the summit of High Pike (658m),

Northern Fells of the Lake District Good Friday 2014.