I’d only been home a week from a ski trip to Geilo with Helen and Toby, before I turned East again, to return to Oslo. Not to ski, but for a hut to hut trip with Mark, Sarah and Graeme.
Recently I filmed with David from The Fieldsports Channel, and we spoke about suffering Frostbite, my love of the outdoors and how shooting has been a huge part of my recovery – both physical and mental. The film is a real testament to the power of fresh air, open skies and working with your injuries.
It’s not often you get to be a Guinness World Record Holder..! My part in the Worlds Highest Marathon attempt has been officially recognised and im the proud holder of a record.
Recently, world record breaking athlete Sara Storey and myself were interviewed for the RunUltra Podcast. We’d both been part of the World Highest Marathon team on Ojos Del Salado in Chile. Sara had completed the marathon, whilst I gave support across the event.
It’s not often you’re asked ‘would you like to take part in the world’s highest altitude marathon..?’ Paul Gurney had created BecomingX in 2019 and I was interviewed about my life changing accident on Denali only a year or so later. We’d first met on the North side of Elbrus in 2012, and had become good friends. Paul creates many exceptional expeditions, and in January 2026, I was heading to Chile to attempt something very special.
Recorded live at Kendal Mountain Festival 2025, Cathy and Wayne catch up with global mountaineer and adventurer Nigel Vardy aka “Mr Frostbite” to chat about life after his fateful ascent of Mt McKinley/Denali in 1999.
The wind and snow of Storm Goretti threatened the start of the 2026 Spine Race, but unlike last year, the weather soon changed and a warm front defrosted the Pennines, before freezing them solid again.
Recently I met with the Reedbut Group in Milton Keynes, to discuss packaging. Millions of boxes are delivered every day, yet for many in society, the act of opening a cardboard box isn’t easy. Reedbut and myself are working together to help make packaging easier and simpler to open for everyone.
2025 started off cold, and it was only going to get colder. The Spine Race in January began in bitter cold, with snow on the Pennines, and ended up with star lit nights, and bog. Within days of heading home, producer Dave Hanna and I were on a plane to Alaska, to launch ‘Frostbitten’ at the Talkeetna Ice Festival. To keep the cold theme going, I then joined friends and crossed the Hardangervidda Plateau in Norway. It wasn’t until late April that I finally thawed out..!
Earlier this year, I was delighted to film with County Deer Stalking, where I spoke about not only my accident on Denali, but how my childhood in the outdoors and agriculture, has shaped my life. I have been a keen supporter of Field Sports since I was a boy, and even with no toes and amputated fingers, I continue to shoot, stalk and fish.
On Saturday 29th November, film producer Dave Hanna and Sarah Hanna joined Helen and myself as we attended the ARFF Berlin International Film Festival Awards. The red carpet was rolled out and after press interviews and photographs, we joined the awards ceremony, where ‘Frostbitten’ was awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ prize in the Best Documentary Category.
2025 was my 15th year to be involved with the Kendal Mountain Festival. Over those years I’ve seen a great deal of change, as the festival continually expands and evolves.
On October 24th I appeared on episode 50 of the Countryslide Podcast. CountrySlide is a weekly British podcast hosted by hedge layer Richard Negus, photographer Callum McInerney-Riley, and outdoor instructor Richard Prideaux.
I’m delighted to announce that ‘Frostbitten’ has been accepted for the Kendal Mountain Festival 2025. More details coming up, but the journey continues…
The last time I travelled with my great friend Sibusiso Vilane, was when we rode the JoBerg2C back in 2019. I’d just lost my Dad, and struggled to complete the race, but Sibu supported me with great strength, and we enjoyed a few days on Safari to wind down. COVID then came, shut world travel down, and I still see parts reeling from its aftermath. Sibu and I had spoken about crossing the central section of the Drakensburgs many times, and after much planning and packing, I set off late in August 2025.
On the 1st of May, my friend Dean and I drove the nine hours north to Mallaig, and started our island adventure. After a well needed sleep, we boarded to ferry to the Isle of Rum.
The Hardangervidda Plateau was something I dreamed of as a boy, well before I decided to spend my life travelling. It was portrayed in the film ‘The Heroes of Telemark’, the story of heavy water at the Vemork Hydro Plant. I loved watching war films with my Dad, and this one was a favourite.