Companies that have helped me on my journey
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Wildlife Encounters
My, not so secret tips on Wildlife Encounters • Investigate and research what to expect• Follow the instructions of your guide.• Behave responsibly and calm around all wildlife• Don’t surprise a ‘mother’ with her little ones• Respect all animals and don’t sneak up or shock them• You’re a privileged observer; don’t interact directly with the wildlife• If you want to keep ‘all’ your fingers – don’t touch or feed a wild animal• Turn off the flashlight on your camera or mobile• Always have your camera handy, you may only get one chance!• Never turn your back on a wild animal, to take a ‘selfie’…… #livealifetodiefor #MoreThanMyPast #itsrogerx
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Travel Health Preparations
Before each and every Adventure / Event • Have a comprehensive medical and a dental examination well before departure date. • Toothache or piles, even at home they are a nuisance but in the wilds it can be serious – and at the very least can spoil your experience.• Carry a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses – you want to ‘see’ where you have been. • Depending on your terrain / climate take sunglasses / goggles to protect your eyes• Make sure your all vaccinations and immunizations are up to date, 6 weeks prior to travelling• Practice sleeping whenever, where ever.• If you’re a light sleeper and are…
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Research your Adventure!
The important part of planning an Adventure is ‘Research’ • Match Adventures / Events to your skill set, ability, pocket and time• Find out all you can about where you’re going• Learn about the culture of your destination. Are travellers safe and welcome• Travel Insurance, recommended vaccinations and medical kit• Best time to go; climate, seasonal pricing, crowding?• Pack light; suitability and essentials are key• Documents, currency and tech equipment• Don’t be shy in asking questions and trust your gut instinct.• Make an effort to learn a few words of the local language, keep it simple. (The Welsh word for congratulations is Llongyfarchiadau)! #livealifetodiefor #MoreThanMyPast #itsrogerx
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Long Distance Running
Mindset Matters – Preparation for a long run and an endurance event – begins in your head. … **Knowledge without mileage is just talk…• Targeting small goals keeps you moving and boosts your confidence. • Always start with a ‘warm up routine’; it gets the blood flowing and stretching keeps you more flexible.• Step up strength, endurance and cardio; by gradually increasing training mileage/workout by 10 percent per week. • Include light cross-training sessions – swimming, spinning and yoga during your rest days from running.• Cross training and weight training helps make you a stronger runner• Biking and swimming will help build the supporting muscles used in running.• Staying hydrated…
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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,…
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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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Harrowing Realities of 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…
