• Adventures,  Hiking / Trekking,  Marine,  Mountaineering,  My Blog

    Indoor Rowing is the Ultimate Full-Body Workout

    By incorporating Indoor Rowing into your training regimen, you can prepare your body for a wide range of Adventurous Activities. Indoor rowing is rapidly gaining popularity as one of the most effective full-body workouts. This exercise engages multiple muscle groups, improves cardiovascular health, and offers numerous other benefits that make it a go-to option for fitness enthusiasts of all levels. Welcome to my fitness journey, where I explore the transformative power of indoor rowing. Join me as I dive into the numerous benefits that indoor rowing has to offer, providing valuable insights and practical advice to enhance your workouts and overall fitness. A Remarkable Achievement : Confidence Booster Reflection: On…

  • Camping / Equipment & Accessories,  Climbing,  Climbing / Caving,  Critical items you ‘Need’ to Survive an Adventure,  Essential Rope Knots,  How To's,  Mountaineering,  My Blog

    Locking Screwgate Carabiners for Maximum Safety and Security

    Locking Screwgate Carabiners / Karabiners serve as essential tools for climbers and mountaineers, facilitating the secure connection of various equipment pieces, thereby ensuring their safety during ascents. Typically crafted from durable metal, these versatile devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes, though commonly feature an oval design with a spring-loaded clip mechanism, ensuring firm closure unless intentionally opened. They have a wide range of uses across various activities and industries, including: Climbing and Mountaineering: Carabiners are crucial for connecting ropes to harnesses, securing climbers to anchors, creating belay systems, and linking different pieces of climbing equipment such as cams, nuts, and quickdraws. Rigging and Rope Work: They are…

  • Camping / Equipment & Accessories,  Climbing / Caving,  Critical items you ‘Need’ to Survive an Adventure,  Marine,  Mountaineering,  My Blog

    Strong and Versatile Cordage: Essential Ropes for Every Adventure

    Cordage has endless potential uses… It is  a must-have for every adventure, from a day’s hiking or the rigours of long expeditions into the wilderness with all the necessary quality requirements – “Strength, Flexibility, Durability and Lightweight”. There are so many versatile rope applications that will come in handy during family camping holiday, on a day’s hiking, sailing or out in the remote wilderness; on occasions it is the survivalist best pal…. Examples of Top Uses for Versatile Cordage Shelter Construction: Cordage is essential for building and securing shelters, whether it’s tying down a tarp, lashing together branches for a lean-to, or creating a ridge line for a tent. Camping and Hiking:…

  • Expeditions,  Hiking / Trekking,  Mountaineering

    Mt Toubkal 4,167m & High Atlas Mountain

    In October 2013, amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, our expedition culminated at the majestic summit of Mount Toubkal, soaring at a remarkable 4,167 meters above sea level. Venturing up this majestic summit during the summer revealed a remarkable truth: climbing Mount Toubkal necessitates no specialized mountaineering expertise. Rather, it presents itself as a non-technical ascent, a captivating walk-up peak achievable in a leisurely five-day journey commencing from the picturesque village of Imlil. Our expedition comprised a diverse and affable group of seven individuals, each bringing their unique spirit to the adventure. The team were three gentlemen—myself, Benno, and Adam—and four wonderful ladies, including Lesley,…

  • Adventures,  Climbing / Caving,  Expeditions,  Mountaineering

    Mt.Everest Base Camp, Nepal 2014 : Conquer the Ultimate Trekking Adventure

    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 Nepal, 17,598 feet (5,364m) above sea level. Trekking 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,…

  • Adventures,  Climbing / Caving,  Expeditions,  Hiking / Trekking,  Mountaineering

    “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…

  • Adventures,  Climbing / Caving,  Hiking / Trekking,  Mountaineering,  Speaking

    Highest Rugby Match Ever Played at 20,771 ft on Mount 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/ 21325ft ; 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…