The People You Meet: The 1948 Olympian Diver, Actor, Singer, Father, Peter Elliott

If I'm ever fortunate enough to live healthy and strong to a ripe old age, I want to be like the legendary Peter Elliott. I am inspired by Peter Elliott as one of the people that I've met along the way as Peter has the spirit, the energy and the 'groove' of a 30-year old in an 81 year old's body. In fact, when I first met Peter, he was wearing tap-dancing shoes with his black-tie on his way to an Olympic ball. "What do you think" he asked me as he...

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The People You Meet: The Inspirational Christine Mills, MBE

I was first introduced to the tremendously inspirational Christine Mills and, subsequently to the charity, Hope for Tomorrow, by my dear friend David English. I was being picky and particular and looking for a charity with which I could develop a long-term relationship for my many adventure projects - a charity that was big enough to make an impact but small enough to still have that 'personal touch' - where local and national fundraising initiatives...

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From Sea Level to 3000m in 30 seconds...

I place a clear plastic surgical mask against my face and try to relax and type this blog entry. The mask is linked via an omnious thin tube to a greyish white box about two-foot square called a "hypoxicator"... which sounds rather scientific and scary. My immediate reaction is a panic wondering if it had been a good idea to attempt my first Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) session of the year without supervision... I blink quietly with the surgical...

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Ensuite Camping

I have a particularly distinct memory of attempting to set up a tent with my father. At the time, we nearly had what can be referred to as, ‘a domestic’. We’re both ‘experts’ when it comes to setting up tents. I’d like to think of myself as a modern-day female version of ‘Bear Grylls’ and my father considers himself a more ‘refinded’ and dignified McGuyver. So, let your imaginations run wild in a scenario of Bear Grylls and McGuyver setting up a...

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The People You Meet: The Sisterhood - Ordinary Girls Achieving Extraordinary Things

One of the highlights of my time in London has been joining The Sisterhood. Monday evenings were always something to be dreaded, the Monday evening hangover and the start of a long week. After an invitation from one of the Sisterhood girls, I found myself donning my Hunter boots and looking forward to Mondays and the weekly paddling sessions on the Thames, where gossip, smiles, and encouragement is exchanged over an evening of exercise and fun with...

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Jimmy Choo, meet Millet Everest

I can't say that I've ever been a 'fashionista' but I do recognise the difference between 'fashion' and 'fashion-faux-pas'. I'm sad to say that on Cho Oyu I will not be receiving any Vogue-style-points or make it onto any 'Best Dressed' lists in the glossy pages of Hello and Grazia magazine over the course of the expedition...  I will even go as far as to pre-warn you that I will fall victim to the 'fashion-faux-pas to...

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A Leap of Faith - The Aiguillette d'Argentiere, Chamonix, France

 As much as I love the training at the Westway and the Castle, indoor climbing walls here in London, there’s only so much training that can be done indoors. The best training, by far, is to get out there into the mountains, out and about, up-up and away. Yesterday, under a glorious blue sky and sunshine, Isabelle, Magda, Alex and I did a super fun climbing route called the Aiguillette d’Argentiere, a needle of rock at around 1900m overhanging...

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The People You Meet: The Outdoor Adventure Photographer Alexandre Buisse

The amazingly talented mountain photographer, Alexandre Buisse, was introduced to me by a talented mountaineer, Jon Gupta (who is currently braving the Snow Leopard challenge on some of the former Soviet-Union’s unpronounceable peaks). I was looking for a photographer with whom could work to get some proper ‘action shots’ in the Alps – partly to help raise awareness about my forthcoming charity challenges and party to provide evidence...

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Time for a manicure on Titans Wall, Courmayeur, Italy

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The People You Meet: Dr. David English, MBE, CBE, OSCA

Dr. David English, MBE, CBE, OSCA David English is one of those people you meet along the way that leaves a lasting impression and echoes of infectious laughter that you won't soon forget.  As Eric Clapton once told him, 'Arfur, you're larger than life.' His all-embracing personality serves to remind me of the vivacity, unexpectedness and countless opportunities in life... how life should be celebrated regularly, daily... at every opportunity...

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Weekend Adventure Fix - Climbing Mt. Toubkal, North Africa's Highest Peak

As the rain lashed down on the plane I smiled excitedly to myself – finally an escape from the dismal English weather. I was enroute to Marrakech to climb Mount Toubkal (4167m), the highest peak in North Africa. Toubkal is due south of the 1000-year-old pink walled city of Marrakech. Whilst it’s snow-covered throughout the winter, Toubkal is usually clear of snow by mid-summer and presents nothing more than a steep hike on a well-marked trail...

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Why I climb...

Mountaineering is the by-product a passion for the outdoors instilled in me by my rural Canadian roots, combined with an inherent sense of ‘wanderlust’.  Being outside in the fresh air, under blue skies and surrounded by soaring mountain faces – be they Himalayan peaks, Canadian Rockies or the Alps – is where I often find myself filled with an overwhelming sense of awe and inspiration. I love the mountains because they put so much of life...

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