70 People for 70 Years…
The Peak District National Park is celebrating 70 years since its designation and has selected 70 people from the past, present and those looking to the future to represent them.
Read More »70 People for 70 Years…Extremeties
Its’ not all Mountaineering – Some of us Care too…
My life isn’t all mountaineering, hair raising adventures and life changing accidents. Some of us care too… Though we work, it’s what goes on in… Read More »Its’ not all Mountaineering – Some of us Care too…
Raising the Bar…
Since the dawn of time, the older generations have guided and inspired the younger. Children have always looked up to their parents, guardians, teachers and role models and lived by the examples they set. Whether these exemplars are in the family, in education, sport, exploration, business or politics, we have never failed to follow them. This is why we, as elders, need to set the example and our generation holds a huge responsibility for future children. What we do or say can have far reaching effects. Let me explain…
Read More »Raising the Bar…Peak District National Park 70th Birthday..!
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..!Mountain Walking Newbies Podcast…
I entered the outdoors as a young lad, with family days in the Peak District, Tazzing about the fields and hills in the early 1970’s. Since then my career has taken me Mountaineering across the world.
If you’re a hill-walker who dreams of going higher, further, longer, but don’t know where to start, Mike Potts hopes to provide advice, information and inspiration.
Word Up..!
Something, somewhere has happened. Over the last few weeks my YouTube Page has been alive with comments about my accident on Mt. McKinley.
This is not new news – This was over 20 years ago.
One of the programs we recorded all those years back has been aired on TV again (in the USA I think) and people have been commenting non stop. It’s now received over 400,000 views..! This is not all down to TV however, its down to Algorithms…
Read More »Word Up..!2020 – A Good Year for the Roses…
2019 was a year of death, cancellations and accidents, so I hoped for a more relaxing and rewarding 2020. It certainly started with a bang as during the 2019 Kendal Mountain Festival, I was asked to don my best Edwardian Mountaineering Tweeds and marry two friends in the Lake District. Surely enough on January 18th, I stood before Tom and Emily in Sticklebarn and pronounced them Husband and Wife. I felt extremely honoured to be asked and we all enjoyed a wonderful weekend under sunny skies in Langdale. 2020 was off with a bang..!
Read More »2020 – A Good Year for the Roses…Love Letters to the Mountains…
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…
Forever Autumn…
The Earths continual pitch has placed us into Autumn – to me, one of the most beautiful times of the year. The moors burst into bright purples and the trees slowly turn to reds, yellows and browns. Leaves rain down in the freshening winds and the nights draw in. Morning dew settles upon the grass as the evenings chill becomes more apparent. Autumn signals the slow end to a year I suspect many people would rather forget. Many lives lost, families forced apart and plans either cancelled or indefinitely put on hold. COVID-19 has changed our lives for the future, but I don’t think we should sit in the doldrums. Every Autumn brings change before the grip of winter takes hold and I love that change…
Read More »Forever Autumn…BBC Radio Derby Interview with Sally Pepper
Last week I spoke with Sally Pepper on BBC Radio Derby about the 21st Anniversary of my Fated Mt McKinley Climb. If you fancy a… Read More »BBC Radio Derby Interview with Sally Pepper
The McKinley Diaries – 21 Years On…
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…
Read More »The McKinley Diaries – 21 Years On…The Kendal Mountain Festival 2019 – Friends will be Friends
The run up to Kendal is always busy, so this year I decided to spend as much time as possible in Hospital to shield me from the chaos. Actually, I’d been knocked off my bike by a car and was nursing some rather stiff joints. Serious care, rest and drinking would be required over the festival weekend if I was to make it through…
Read More »The Kendal Mountain Festival 2019 – Friends will be FriendsShout…
It’s been a while since I posted a blog. The loss of my Father has put many of life’s (so called) priorities into stark perspective. Caring for my Mother takes up much of my time, but with family support I still get out into the hills. I reflect more, stare more, say less and await the grieving to come. I’m a rather stoic old Englishman, with far too much stiff upper lip and not enough heart to easily let go – for now anyway. Real life has put the virtual world in its place, but it sometimes still intrudes…
Read More »Shout…Heal the Pain…
For over a year, I’ve been struggling with the nerves in my right arm. After many appointments, tests and opinions, I recently underwent surgery on my Ulna Nerve in an attempt to heal the pain. It’s too early to know whether it was worth getting my 26th scar, but time will tell…
Read More »Heal the Pain…Terra Nova Equipment – Brand Ambassador
The best partnerships are those where both sides work to help each other. Therefore I am very pleased and proud to announce that I have accepted a role with Terra Nova Equipment as a Brand Ambassador. We are both based in Derbyshire and have worked together for many years. Where we exactly first met is lost somewhere in the mists of time, but they have helped me on many occasions with my expeditions across the world. Initially it was with the specialist needs that Frostbitten hands require in the way of gloves. Getting any to fit was an almost impossible task, but with a little imagination and a lot of pinning we have succeeded. Since then I have also tested many tents, sleeping bags and rucksacks, and regularly place gear reviews on their website.
Baffin Island 2003 – Sane Mountaineering Decisions
The weather trapped us in a six day snowstorm, but we still managed to climb on this wonderful remote Island. The mountains seem to go forever, and with so many still unclimbed, this is a climbers paradise!
Named after the British explorer William Baffin – Baffin Island is one of the largest islands in the world.Read More »Baffin Island 2003 – Sane Mountaineering Decisions