I've been a climber since my teens - competing, travelling to climb, simply hanging out at the crag. Gradually the journey became a bigger and more important part of trips. Eventually we moved to Cumbria to start our own business - but mainly so we could climb and paint (my wife is an artist). Then a decade ago the appeal of the outdoors proved too much and we sold the business and I became a freelance instructor. A decade later I'm the current President of the British Association of International Mountain Leaders and I spend roughly 3-4 months a year travelling as work. I feel blessed most days.
So many! - My first climbing trip to Buoux, snowshoeing the Continental Divide in the Rockies, just surviving my 4th ascent of Mont Blanc....But to date probably flying out to the Virgin Islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma to train Red Cross Disaster Relief Teams. The scale of the destruction, seeing the power of nature's fury but also leaving life saving skills behind for people so far from help - certainly the most challenging thing I've used my qualifications for to date.
Well I'm going to be controversial - but it's my mobile (or on occasion satellite) phone.
I'm old enough to remember having to try and find a red phone box, carrying a photo of my wife in my wallet. Now - to be able to stay in touch from nearly anywhere on the planet, to take and share photos - well it's incredible. And on more remote trips I've found pictures of loved ones - and puppies - are great icebreakers!
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When taking on one of our Adventure Triathlon events like Race the Sun, or Pedal, Paddle, Peak, that combines 3 phases of cycling, hiking and canoeing, the time spent in ‘transition’ are key to helping prepare and maintain your comfort in the next phase of the event. When it comes to FAQs, ‘Prepping a Transition Bag’ is one of our most asked questions.
It can feel a little daunting to commit to spending almost 5 days, 24 hours each day, with a group of people you have most probably never met before. However, it’s not all that bad. In fact, it’s a very positive experience.
