Every week I recieve emails from people who want to do something adventurous, challenging and outside of their comfort zone.
They ask questions about training, kit, logistics and advice on cycling challenges, Ironman and getting started in adventure and mountaineering.
1) what sort of kit did you use for hiking, climbing and camping and also how best to build the winter skills especially - I have looked at a BMC winter skills course but is there a cheaper way?! Nick
As a competitive triathlete and keen outdoorsman I wanted to commend all of your awesome achievements! Your stories have been very inspiring and helped me think outside the box when planning my own challenges.
It would be great to hear from you to learn a little more about your experience and get some tips on routes, timings etc. Gareth
I guess it is about taking a risk but how do you conquer the fear factor? Jane
Can you suggest a challenge for me? Whether it's swimming, biking, hiking, running i'll give anything a try! Alan
I'm inspired by all these outdoor challenges and want to lead a more adventurous lifestyle, what do you suggest? John
I have a few doubts about mechanicals and getting lost. How have you found these on your challenges and what sort of support did you have?
I've put together a list of resources for you peeps, this is not exhaustive but should be enough to keep you going for now!
Adventure Networking and Skills
Explorers Connect - an awesome site where people list adventures they are doing and looking for team mates to join. They also organise wknd trips kakaying, camping, climbing etc which are a lot of fun and great opportunities to meet people. http://www.explorersconnect.com
Plas y Brenin - the National Mountain Centre in Snowdonia, Wales. They have loads of cool courses here including weekend workshops and festivals. If you are under 25 they also have grants and scholarships to help you get mountain skills on the cheap. I did The Alpine Apprenticeship Course here which was an amazing intro to the Alps and climbing:) http://www.pyb.co.uk
8th Day Adventure: Organises social groups to try new things and meet like minded people. Gets people out of cities and into the great outdoors http://www.8thdayadventure.co.uk/
Royal Geographic Society: RGS: networking events, lectures, talks, festivals, adventure research and grants http://www.rgs.org
Tales of Adventure: Ordinary people come to hear extraordinary stories of adventure http://www.talesofadventure.co.uk/
Adventurers To Follow
http://www.sarahouten.com - Athlete, Adventurer, MBE
http://www.jamescracknell.com - Double Olympic Gold Medalist turned adventurer and endurance athlete http://www.jamesketchell.net - Everest climber, ocean rower, world cyclist
http://www.seanconway.com - Adventurer of the Year
http://www.davecornthwaite.com - "Live out of a bag"
http://www.alastairhumphreys.com - Mr Microadventure "Sleep on a hill"
http://www.squashfalconer.com - Paraglided off Mont Blanc, Everest Summiteer
http://www.kilianjornet.cat - National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, speed runner, climber and total legend
http://www.uelisteck.ch - Ueli Steck - "The man who runs up mountains"
http://www.ranulphfiennes.co.uk - The World's Greatest Living Explorer
http://www.kentoncool.com - Record Breaking Everest Mountaineer
http://www.penhadow.com - Explorer, Motivational speaker
http://www.rozsavage.com - Ocean Rower
http://www.bensaunders.com - Polar Exporer and Motivational Speaker
http://www.dotrythisathome.com - Younh Ambassadors for Adventure (very impressive young ladies!)
Inspiration
Side Tracked Magazine: Inspiration photography and stories of adventure http://www.sidetracked.com
Epic List: Inspiring the masses to explore the world https://epiclist.io
Outside Online: Inspire active lifestyles http://www.outsideonline.com
The BMC: The British Mountaineering Council for news, insurance and professional guides https://www.thebmc.co.uk
Live For The Outdoors: Resource for walkers and general hill activities, gear reviews, events, routes, stories http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com
UKClimbing: The largest climbing site in the world.Very active forum on anything to do with climbing, mountaineering and being in the hills http://www.ukclimbing.com
EpicTV: Adventure sports videos from the best athletes and film makers in the world (also my employer) http://www.epictv.com
Festivals
Sheffiled Mountain Film Festival:http://www.shaff.co.uk/
Banff Mountain Film Festival:http://www.banff-uk.com/
Kendall Film Festival:http://www.mountainfest.co.uk/
Chamonix Mountain Festival:http://www.chamonixmountainfestival.com/
Keswick Mountain Festival:http://www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk
Reel Rock Tour:http://www.reelrock.co.uk/
Big Shakeout:http://www.alpkit.com/bigshakeout/festival
Buxton Adventure Festival: http://www.buxtonadventurefestival.co.uk/
Your Next Challenge
Find a race:
Lists most the events across the UK, helping you find your next challeng. Can search by sport and region
Endurance Life:http://www.endurancelife.com
Human Race: http://humanrace.co.uk
UK Adventure Racing:http://www.ukadventureracing.co.uk/
Kit
I chose the following brands as they are great outdoor clothing companies tailored towards the everyday person wanting high quality kit as well as top notch alpinists and adventurers.
Sport Pursuit offers 40-70% off high end kit for a wide range of sports including cycling, triathlon, mountaineering, general outdoors and running. Great adventure inspiration blogs http://sportpursuit.co.uk
Lowe Alpine: http://www.lowealpine.com
Berghaus:http://store.berghaus.com
They also have great adventure related blogs, some written by me :)
http://www.berghaus.com/community/?p=12168
http://www.sportpursuit.com/blog/get-moving/5-tips-to-keep-your-motivation/#.UozQhWRmU6I