Peter Stott was born and raised in Wharfedale, where his father introduced him to outdoor pursuits and an appreciation of the landscape. He acknowledges a debt to the Scout and Youth Club leaders who extended his range with backpacking weekends in the Yorkshire Dales and youth hostel expeditions to the Lake District and along the Pennine Way. Since retiring from a career in lowland hydrology and water resources, he has indulged his preference for striding the skylines, free to choose where to spend the night. He lives in Derbyshire, close to the Peak District National Park.