Challenge

10 Winter Adventures in the Amazing Austrian Alps

10 Winter Adventures in the Amazing Austrian Alps

Imagine hiking up a mountain under a full moon with fresh snow under your feet, breaking through the tree line and feeling that warm glow of sunrise hitting your face. Riding a sleigh pulled by huskies in a winter wonderland, cross- country skiing through villages nestled in the Austrian Alps, tobogganing down a mountain at sunset, swimming in a frozen lake or ski-touring up a mountain and descending through the trees. Imagine ending your day in a rejuvenating thermal spa before dinner and a well-earned sleep, to wake up and do it all over again. Welcome to winter holidays in Austria!

Cycling Scotland's Epic North Coast 500

Cycling Scotland's Epic North Coast 500

Not many thoughts enter my mind apart from what I am doing. I wish everyone could do something like this once a year, or even once in your lifetime. We need it! I switch off from everything. A challenge like this is so all encompassing that I don’t have space for much else. All my energy goes into the challenge, and the micro world I create with the adventure I am on, the world directly around me and the people I am with. My world becomes small but this gives me freedom to become bigger than I’ve ever felt. My mind is not filled with events going on all over the world, with emails, news, social media, and the need to reply to messages, my mind is filled with fresh air and miles, hills, sweat, tears and food stops. My mind is filled with views so dramatic and mind-blowing, I am speechless. My heart flips a bit with each corner I turn and the awe that the NC500 route delivers again and again.

The Vertical KM - Chamonix

The Vertical KM - Chamonix

It's 5:38pm on the evening of Friday 26th June. Calves screaming, sweat dripping, lungs pumping and my pain face well and truly locked in, I've just passed the 400m mark on Chamonix's Vertical KM race and it's hurting like hell. I'm seriously starting to question my sanity.

The final hurdle(s) - The Alpine Coast to Coast

The final hurdle(s) - The Alpine Coast to Coast

It's amazing how I seem to be able to pack so little into my rest days. I look forward to them with pleasure, I wake up comfortable and happy in the knowledge that today I don't have to push it. I can relax and enjoy the normal things in life.