I’ve always believed in fresh air and exercise for both physical and mental health. The Peak District has always been on my doorstep and I’ve been a regular visitor for all of my 52 years. The picture above was taken about 1976 in the Winnats Pass with my big Sister Amanda and my Nannars Dog Sally..!
Read More »Peak District National Park 70th Birthday..!I recently recorded a StoryHinge Podcast with Jason Vidaurri about my life in Mountaineering and what life lessons it has taught me. http://storyhinge.com/index.php/2018/11/08/89-nigel-vardy/
Here’s the seventh and final miniblog about my Seven peaks – Seven Islands challenge…
From the islands capital – Antananarivo (known locally as Tana), you fly north to the coastal town of Diego Suarez to begin the trip. Diego is one of the world’s largest natural harbours and is a quiet town, full of crumbling French colonialism, 2CV’s and graced with wonderful sunsets. Here you depart by 4 x 4 as far as the road will go (weather and mud permitting), before the trek begins.
Read More »Seven Peaks – Seven Islands part VII – Madagascar
Here’s the sixth miniblog about my Seven peaks – Seven Islands challenge…
Carstensz Pyramid (4884m-16023ft) is a classic in the mountaineering world. First sited in 1623 by Dutch explorer Jan Carstensz, it is the highest island peak in the world.
Here’s the fifth miniblog about my Seven peaks – Seven Islands challenge…
Climbing Gunung Kerinci is one thing, but just getting there is another. The bus journey from Padang can be anything between six and nine hours, and crosses the spine of Sumatra. Be prepared for an arduous, but hilarious time! You usually arrive in the village of Kersik Tua after dark, but the dawn brings extensive views of well manicured tea plantations and the peak itself – cloud permitting. Rain and hailstorms are not uncommon here as you are already at 1500m.
Here’s the fourth miniblog about my Seven peaks – Seven Islands challenge…
As the highest point between the Himalayas and Iran Jara, Mt. Kinabalu stands at 4095m (13,435ft) and towers above the surrounding hills and jungles. First climbed in 1851 by Sir Hugh Low she is now a huge visitor attraction and climbed by over 30,000 people a year.
Here’s the third miniblog about my Seven peaks – Seven Islands challenge…
Most of the worlds mountains were first climbed in the Victorian era, but Mt Fuji (3776m-12388ft) must hold the oldest recorded 1st ascent – 663AD..! Japan is an ancient country with deep-rooted traditions and I would urge a little research into etiquette before you visit.
Here’s the second miniblog about my Seven peaks – Seven Islands challenge…
Climbing in Greenland is an honour that few have experienced. The flight from Iceland over the Denmark Strait is enough of an eye opener, particularly as you approach the teeth like mountains of the coast, but the Watkins Mountains are a magnificent range of ice-capped peaks.
Here’s the first miniblog about my Seven peaks – Seven Islands challenge…
Named after the British explorer William Baffin – Baffin Island sits in the province of Nunavut, which has a landmass equivalent to Western Europe, but contains only 27,000 people. It is a true arctic wilderness.
Read More »Seven Peaks – Seven Islands part I – Baffin Island
The Seven peaks – Seven Islands challenge encompasses freezing Polar ice to burning tropical savannah, ski touring to scrambling, volcanoes to glaciers and everything in-between. It may not have the altitude of the Seven Continents climbs, but brings huge challenges and rewards for those will to take up the baton.
I have worked with the outdoor company Terra Nova for many years and recently starred in a promotional film for their Wild Country range of… Read More »Terra Nova Promotional Film
I’m speaking at a couple of public events over the next few weeks. Here’s the details…
In 2007 I became the first British climber to summit the tallest peaks on the worlds largest islands. ‘Whoopee doo’ I hear you say. This is exactly why I ask the question for the achievement of a 1st. Are they worth it, or just media stunts for people with nothing better to do?
I boarded the plane with some trepidation as I departed for Madagascar. The final peak in my 7 x 7 challenge was my objective and if I could climb it I would set a British Record for Mountaineering…