Expeditions have formed a key part of my life over the last 25 years, from completing the Welsh 3000s in Snowdonia after my GCSEs with friends (a trip which included walking out to Llandudno because we didn’t have much money and none of us could drive) through to cycling around the Indian sub-continent and Nepal (which definitely has some big hills to cycle up). I have developed an extensive knowledge of single day expeditions (it’s amazing what you can get done in 24 hours if you put your mind to it) and longer multi-day trips in the UK, Europe. America and Africa where I lived in Kenya in the mid-2000s.
Through my leadership of expeditions, I have learnt how people cope best at altitude and how, if you prepare properly, many of the peaks can have 100% success rate. The peaks we climb are not technical and, provided you are happy hill walking and scrambling in the UK, you will be able to summit and return safely with us.
I have worked with my guides extensively over the last 20 years, and have built up stronger working relationships with them based on trust and mutual respect. As a result, I know that they will go above and beyond what you may expect on an expedition.
These are the key points that you will find on our expeditions:
- A low ratio of instructors/ guides to clients. We want this to be fun, but most importantly we want this to be safe for you. As a result there will be a ratio of 1:6 on peaks such as Kilimanjaro.
- We have low total numbers on our trips. As clients, you are the heart of the expedition and you are a significant part of the team I like to build.
- We personally know the guides on our expeditions. We do not use a third party to source them. This means all fees go directly to them and their families.
- We build in rest days to acclimatise, recover and enjoy the environment. It’s unlikely that you will return to the same place again- and certainly not with the same people- so why not spend a little more time to let your body adjust and take in the moment. This also drastically reduces the chance of altitude sickness.
I will lead most of the expeditions myself and will sort out the logistics, timings, accommodation and in-country staff. I do not book the flights because I want you to have maximum flexibility as to the airport you fly from/ to and when you fly out and back at the end of the expedition.