Alaska

Man: A Quest to Find Meaning Podcast

by Nigel Vardy
October 7, 2024October 7, 2024

Imagine braving minus 60°C temperatures and 60-mile-an-hour crosswinds on North America’s highest peak. In this gripping episode, we sit down with seasoned mountaineer Nigel Vardy, who recounts his harrowing survival story on Denali. From his childhood passion for the outdoors, nurtured by his parents, to facing life-threatening challenges, Nigel takes us through the critical decisions that led to his survival and the severe frostbite that forever changed his life. His story is not just about survival but about sheer resilience and the human spirit’s capacity to endure.

by Nigel Vardy
June 12, 2024June 24, 2024

25 years can feel like a lifetime, or like an instant. My rescue took over a day, yet I only remember fleeting moments as the cold took control of my mind, and its bitter grasp mists memories and slows reflection. I thought I knew it all, yet I still had so much to learn. Heading back to Alaska might help clear the clouds and reveal icy truths buried deep in my soul.

by Nigel Vardy
June 10, 2024June 10, 2024

Recently Steve and I were featured on the Real Survival Stories Podcast. We tell the story where, in 1999, we almost perished on Denali. Click here to go to the Podcast

by Nigel Vardy
May 10, 2024June 13, 2024

I was interviewed by Andy Twigge on BBC Radio Derby about my coming return to Alaska. The interview has been loaded onto BBC Sounds, and if you’d like to listen, click on this link.

by Nigel Vardy
April 18, 2024June 10, 2024

The last time I donned snow shoes, was on the Kahiltna Glacier in Alaska, and we all know how that ended..! Twenty five years later, I clipped them onto my boots in the Swedish town of Abisko, and began a ten day trip down the Kungsleden.

by Nigel Vardy
November 21, 2020December 5, 2020
2 Comments

I adore Mountaineering and I adore Writing. Inspired by a meeting at the Kendal Mountain Festival, I’ve written a number of Love Letters to some of the Mountains I’ve climbed over the past 30 years. They’re a varied selection of peaks spanning the Himalayas, Africa, Asia, The Arctic and Europe.

I hope you enjoy them…

by Nigel Vardy
April 29, 2020May 20, 2020
13 Comments

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be recording daily video logs about the fateful expedition to climb Mt McKinley in Alaska. April 30th 2020 will be the 21st anniversary of the adventures start. Using original images, equipment and reading from my mountain diary, I’d like to share my experiences, feelings and emotions from this life changing time in my life…

by Nigel Vardy
April 29, 2020

This April and May will be the 21st anniversary of my fateful climb on Mt. McKinley in Alaska. Using original diary entries, 35mm slides and… Read More »McKinley 21…

Control…

by Nigel Vardy
April 5, 2020April 5, 2020

Due to the present COVID-19 outbreak, we’re all under Central Government Control. Control is a subject I’ve been discussing with my close friend Helen Davies for a while, so by the power of the internet, we’ve maintained #socialdistancing and brought our ideas together. Before we get started, here’s an introduction from Helen…

by Nigel Vardy
July 29, 2016July 29, 2016
2 Comments

After all the long running rains of spring, we here in Britain have finally seen blazing sun. We’ve enjoyed temperatures hotter than the Mediterranean and as usual, many forget to cream so suffer sunburned skin (we never learn..!) It’s the time to lounge or barbeque, expose our white skin and enjoy a drink – well for some anyway. Advertising is strewn with images of people relaxing by pools, drinking beer, wines and spirits galore, but for me, for now, the strongest thing I’ll be on is a cup of tea…

Adventuring Alone…

by Nigel Vardy
May 19, 2016May 21, 2016
1 Comment

It might surprise you that a mountaineer such as my self may write about Mental Health Awareness Week. People make assumptions in this world, and I’m afraid to say that many of them are wrong. “You must be rich”, “You can’t have a job”, You’re never at home”, “You just travel the world as you please”. If only they knew…

Mt. McKinley 1999 – Once Bitten

by Nigel Vardy
August 1, 2012August 1, 2012
19 Comments

Nothing could have prepared me for what the freezing cold of Alaska can do. I had just experienced the best 17 days climbing in my life, but the 18th cost me dear. Frostbite and exposure nearly killed me, but a dramatic mountain rescue saved my life, and began a journey I will never be able to forget…Read More »Mt. McKinley 1999 – Once Bitten

Alaska

Man: A Quest to Find Meaning Podcast

Alaska 2024 – A Time to Remember…

Real Survival Stories Podcast – Cut off in a Frozen Wilderness…

BBC Radio Derby Interview…

Blow, Northern Wind – Kungsleden 2024

Love Letters to the Mountains…

The McKinley Diaries – 21 Years On…

McKinley 21…

Control…

A Time of Drought…

Mt. McKinley 1999 – Once Bitten