Dani Stewart
Guide
Hometown
A bit about me
I grew up playing soccer and trumpet and running around the town of Airdrie, about 10 miles east of Glasgow.
During 2011 and 2012, I accompanied guests on summer and winter trips in Italy’s Dolomites. Since 2012, I have been predominantly based in the French Alps. In between those stints, I worked around the world. I qualified as an International Mountain Leader in 2025.
Connection to others and the space around me is most important to my sense of peace. It’s the answer to my “Why?” Well, that and good humor.
I’m an undeniable Jack of all trades, and unashamedly master of none.
My other life
Since 2020, I’ve been working in Antarctica for the British Antarctic Survey, at their Rothera Research Station and also at deep field logistics hubs. My work there has been varied, ranging from general support and waste management to aircraft ground support and setting up and coordinating field camps.
Running in Antarctica is usually either a slow trot around a snowy campsite or on the runway at Rothera. The station is surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of sea, icebergs, mountains, glaciers, and a range of polar wildlife, and you sometimes have to avoid the odd frisky fur seal along the way! One lucky season, I was blessed with many rocky trail runs on some fossil-filled scree slopes at the “Fossil Bluff” field site on Alexander Island. I usually go out in all weather. It’s a good wake up, coming face-to-face with the elements!
In my free time
I like to slow down and recenter: Read, stretch, listen to something funny or some music, look outside, look inside, and enjoy a delicious hot drink. Once recharged, I’ll get moving again and feed my body and spirit in the mountains or the sea. If there are good friends around for some of that, I’ll thank my lucky stars.
Fun fact
When I was younger, I was obsessed with Spiderman. Also? I have a very loud laugh, audible across vast mountain ranges!
Favorite Alp trail run
An impossible question! The higher and rockier the better. If there’s some snow in the mix, well, that’s the jackpot. Chamonix, France’s Bérard valley to Mont Buet has it all: waterfalls, forests, berries, rivers, a refuge, slick boulders, steep zig-zags, and snowy summit views that are, quite frankly, unreal.
That said, who doesn’t love a grassy, muddy valley run? I also love running along the banks of the Arve in the Chamonix valley, delightedly drenched to the core during a big downpour, planning how to get upstairs without soaking the entire house.