My Story...

My 50th birthday! That´s when my passsion for multi-day trekking really began when I decided to celebrate reaching this milestone by doing something different and adventurous, aside and far from my normal family and working life - taking the bold step to do something outside convention and not beholden to others' expectations!

Summitting Mt Kenya was my first big climb, and thereafter I got the bug to go higher and further build up my skill set... mountaineering and navigation courses, medical and expedition training and further treks in the Alps, the Dolomites, the High Atlas, and the Himalaya of Nepal and India. up my experience, ability and confidence to tackle higher and more challenging peaks in distant countries and cultures.

Through an unexpected introduction to a very reputable tour operator in Delhi (who had worked with Uk and German tour operators for the past 35 years), I then started to work with local expert guides in Ladakh and bring over my own groups to that particular part of northern India. The stong Buddhist culture there, coupled with the stunning landscape, so cool and attractive compared to the chaotic and hot city centre of Delhi, has led me to develop a strong connection to the locals I have met there and excellent services from the team I work with.

The trek provides such a great incentive to remain focussed on our person fitness and ;physical conditioning and mental strength plus the shear enjoyment of sharing the natural beauty with similar-minded people.

That isn't my sole objective though. There is something much more significant and far reaching. When you're in countries such as India and Nepal, you siimply cannot disregard the profound disparity of our western culture to theirs, in particular towards the plight of the women and girls. With further insight and research into NGOs supporting these marginalised communities, through the treks that I operate, my intention is to raise awareness of the challenges the women and children face on a daily basis. Understanding the historical background of the caste system that exists in India and the traditions and patterns of expoitation that are passed from generation to generation, it is a huge issue to confront. Quite overwhelming indeed, but one not to be ignored and forgotten. if we can all play our part in trying to support those charities who devote so much time and effort to make the gradual and delicate small steps towards bringing change, then I think that is a very worthy cause to support. I bedlieve we must consider the people in those beautiful countries that we find such pleasure in exploring and trekking in, the least we can do is to support the local communities that are in such need.