Companies that have helped me on my journey
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Knife Blade Points and what Tasks they are best suited…
Drop-point : good compromise between strength and utility Sheepsfoot : false point – slicing, whittling & ideal to cut rope Clip-point : for more delicate and precision work Straight Back : sturdy, ideal for cutting and chopping Tanto Blade : strong, handy for pushing cuts and piercing Gut Hook : skinning and field dressing wild game Trailing-Point : filleting, skinning and camp food prepping “Your knife is your life”: You’re only as sharp as your knife and your survival knife is the one that you have on you at the time. If you’re out and about and everything turns south for the winter and you haven’t got a knife on…
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Survival Gear Check List
Survival Gear is invaluable for any emergency situation. Hydration: Water…water purification system & tablets Nutrition: Food….freeze dried meals that are lightweight, nutritious and easy to prepare Survival Knife….+ Multi-Tool Layerable clothing that will help you adjust to different temperature & weather conditions Jacket, hat, sunglasses, gloves, raincoat/shell & thermals…. Shelter; tarp, tent, space blanket…. Personalized First Aid Kit; that contains items specific to your needs and medical conditions Navigation; map, compass & GPS (mobile phone)…. Headlamp, flashlight, signalling device, whistle…. Repair kit; duct tape, cordage, paracord bracelet, spare batteries…. Fire Starter; striker, matches, lighter…. Survival Backpack/Rucksack – durable, comfortable and roomy enough to carry ‘all’ your gear (40L to 65L)…
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Prepping for Adventures
My, not so secret critical items you ‘Need’ to Survive in the Wilderness Prepping 575 Munchie Bags, with total weight 460 kg to be shared among 14 novice Arctic Adventures (The Polar Race 2009) Chapter 3 “Live a Life to Die For” by Roger D After a delicious breakfast, we broke camp loaded our pulks and set off walk/ski. Our next hot meal would generally be 12 hours later. It’s a long day, during the walk/ski I would occasionally dip into the Munchies bag and treat myself. We stopped every hour for 5 minutes to hydrate and drink from our flasks that’s when I really attacked the munchies bag. All…
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Kayak The English Channel
BBC . South East Today – Evening News 25.6.2021 – I’m on the Telly!!! On the 3rd February 2021, I completed my chemotherapy treatment for Cancer and rang the Bell. Six months later 3rd August 2021 to celebrate this milestone I paddled a red kayak from Dungeness to Boulogne sporting my “Chemo Curls.” Being featured on the BBC in the South East is a great way to share an inspiring journey with a wider audience. I do my story can provide hope and inspiration to others going through similar challenges. Approaching Boulonge Harbour. Caught by Gendarmerie. After paddling 22.6 miles from Dungeness, a high-speed motorboat with its blue light flashing; crewed by…
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Mt.Everest Base Camp 2014
Our journey to Everest Base Camp Nepal, 17,598 feet (5,364m) above sea level. The Team : Roger, Lucas Bateman, Lesley Pender, Annie (Annabelle) Hancock ,Clive Hagley & his youngest son Max, Julie Jones, Jan Meek Our journey to Everest Base Camp on the lower slopes of world’s highest and arguably the most majestic mountain is as spiritual uplifting as it is physically challenging. What makes it tougher; is trekking at altitude; rising an additional 2680m, eventually to reach Everest Base Camp, sited at 5360m; where there is 50% less oxygen compared to sea level. Altitude sickness can hit you at any time, specially over 3000m We flew from from Kathmandu,…
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Sahara Desert
To me, the Sahara displays an awe-inspiring uniqueness as did the North Pole. They share extremes of contrasts yet alike in so many ways; legend, mystery and raw beauty. Both can and will kill you if you don’t respect them. The Sahara is the largest non-polar desert on our planet; 3,320,000 square miles (8,600,000 square km) If you take the wrong dune and lose your way, you’re in deep do-do, (shit)! A desert is a barren area, defined by averaging less than 10 inches / 25cm of precipitation (rainfall) each year. Clear skies, light wind and dry air helps the air temperature cool off significantly at night. Insufferable heat during the…
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“How I Climbed Kilimanjaro Twice, Once with a Metal Knee”
Kilimanjaro demands respect, this mighty dormant volcano, soaring from the African plains, stands as the tallest freestanding mountain globally, reaching a staggering 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. Undertaking the challenge of conquering Kilimanjaro is not merely a physical feat; it’s a journey of personal determination and endurance. Embarking on this adventure with friends, I faced the monumental task of ascending Africa’s highest peak. In 2010, we tackled the Machame Route, we ascended through heavy scree that tested our limits. Descending was not without difficulties – a dodgy knee and tired legs. In 2012, armed with a newly replaced knee joint, I returned to Kilimanjaro to test the effectiveness…
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Rugby on Everest 2019
In April 2019 we trekked in the footsteps of Mallory and Irvine, up the Magic Highway’ to Mt Everest’s Advance Base Camp (ABC3) 6,500m/ 21,000 feet; which is just below the North Col to play two games of Rugby on a glacier. Myself and Lesley, trekked and played alongside, Rugby stars Lee Mears, Ollie Phillips, Shane Williams, Tamara Taylor plus 20 inspirational men and women to help raise more than £250,000 for children with disabilities and facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland. The Rugby Challenge took place across 24 days; our group battled acclimatisation and altitude to play the World Record for highest ever game of mixed seven-a-side ‘Touch Rugby’ at Everest…
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Ocean Rowing
The Toby Wallace Atlantic Row – January/February 2016 Harrowing Realities of Ocean Rowing Tragedy struck in the night of February 14th. Location close to 18 29′ N 039 06′ W. over a thousand miles from land. Simon gave a loud warning shout, “big wave”. I looked up to see a monster swell coming at us fast out of the dark; it was the size of a two storey building. This rogue wave was arriving from unexpected direction intent on broadsiding our row boat. Not to break over but pummelled through us like a water tornado. The immense power of unstoppable maelstrom of angry sea water lifted me and ripped my…
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Me Helmsman ??
The first leg on an incredible Atlantic Adventure. I’m on the helm of the Southern Child, a 40ft yacht. The picture was take whilst crossing the infamous Bay of Biscay on a 2000miles passage to Las Palmas; to become acquaint to the sea. My second ‘big’ mistake. Sea sickness is bad enough but I fell awkwardly during a heavy squall and gave my knee a really walloping; causing a swollen lump rise up to the size of an orange, on the inner side of my metal knee. I personally attempted to feed most of the fish between the English Channel and all the way across the Bay of Bisque. #livealifetodiefor #MoreThanMyPast…
