Meet the team: Phili Newell

May 31, 2017 / / No comments

Operations Manager, Phili Newell, joined Charity Challenge in 2016 and looks after all of our adventurous expeditions in Asia.

Phili profile

Name: Phili Newell

Location: London, UK

What’s your role at Charity Challenge?
I’m the Operations Manager for our expeditions in Asia, which includes looking after our events in Burma, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia and Vietnam. The expedition that keeps me the busiest is the Great Wall Discovery in China, as it’s our most popular and the visa application process can sometimes appear slightly overwhelming, but it’s always worth it.

What’s been your favourite Charity Challenge expedition to take on (so far)?
I took part in the Lombok Lava trek in June 2016, and that was a fantastic challenge. We trekked to some of Indonesia’s highest peaks, and were continually inspired by our amazing team of guides and porters who helped us complete the hike! (Read Phili’s blog about the expedition here).

Did you always want to work in the travel industry?
I’ve always been interested in the travel industry, but I am particularly interested in the NGO sector. Before I worked at Charity Challenge, I spent two and a half years working with an NGO in Borneo, implementing a series of sustainable community and natural resource projects. We took groups of young volunteers to the projects to give them insight into the development sector whilst providing them with transferable skills in leadership and team work. At Charity Challenge, there are many similarities; we offer people the opportunity to experience so many different things, including meeting new people, learning about different cultures and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. When your resilience is tested, you realise your strengths – and it is this that will get you through challenges that you may face in the future (whatever they may be).

What’s your favourite thing about being the Operations Manager for Asia?
Hearing back from participants who have completed one of our challenges – their sense of achievement is infectious and inspiring.

How many languages can you speak?
I would say 1.5… English, and some Japanese!

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about taking on a Charity Challenge?
Make sure that you train properly for your adventure. The more training you do before you go, the more you will enjoy the challenge. And pack light (follow the advice on our Kit Lists, and you can’t go wrong).

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
London – if I could also have a massive garden and a dog!

What three things can’t you live without?
A sense of humour, Marmite and sunlight.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…
I hitchhiked on sail boats on the Canadian west coast and eventually got to sail to San Francisco after joining a yacht race. I then painted a house so I could get enough money together to leave the USA to get my return flight back to the UK!

Category: Uncategorized /

5 Reasons to Visit Kyrgyzstan

May 25, 2017 / / No comments

We’re excited to introduce Kyrgyzstan as our latest challenge destination! A lesser-traveled part of the world, we asked Operations Manager Phili Newell for her top five reasons to visit this fascinating and beautiful country.

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1) Its rich history

Life in Kyrgyzstan is still very much nomadic despite various countries dominating it throughout its history, making it a melting pot of culture in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan gained independence recently in 1991 with the breakup of the former USSR having previously ruled by Mongols; Chinese Manchus; and then Russia since 1876. Evidence of Soviet era is prominent in the giant statue of Lenin and the Soviet styled housing blocks of Bishkek, but as Central Asia’s largest mosque is completed and opens in 2017 you can feel the grip of communism slip away.

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2) It has 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

A landlocked country, Kyrgyzstan is home to 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites; the Tien Shan mountain range; the network of trading routes making up the famous Silk Road; and Sulayman Mountain the most “sacred” mountain in Central Asia.

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3) The scenery

Kyrgyzstan is a country less visited; the scenery is outstanding and as you trek through the rugged mountains you will wonder why you never thought of coming here before. Snow-capped mountains surround sweeping plains where herds of horses run wild and glacial rivers cut through the landscape, creating steep sided gorges where sheep and goats roam.

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4) The food

Try Kyrgyzstan’s interesting cuisine, starting with the much loved fermented mare’s milk, Besk Barmak, lamb with noodles and broth; Samsy a tandoor cooked meat and onion filled pocket and found at the road side stalls for a quick snack; and dumplings known as Monty.

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5) The challenge

The challenge itself will see you carrying all your own kit, including your tent, for the duration of your trek. You’ll be camping in gorges and trekking over mountain passes at an altitude of 3759m. Your average trek day will be about 6 hours before getting into camp where you’ll set up for the night, before gazing at the clear, star-studded skies.

Make sure you take a look at our Kyrgyzstan Trek challenge and maybe you could be ticking this exciting destination off your wishlist!

Category: Uncategorized /

Work for us: Marketing Manager (Permanent/Full time)

May 2, 2017 / / No comments

Charity Challenge is recruiting a Marketing Manager to join the team in our London office. The role is a permanent full time position.

Who we are: Charity Challenge is a multi-award winning adventure travel operator and event management company best known for organising the celebrity based BT Red Nose Day Kilimanjaro climb.

We aim to deliver memorable, dynamic and safe challenge events in both popular and off the beaten track destinations, creating tailor-made events for charity and corporate clients whilst providing personalised, friendly and excellent customer service, advice and support. Our brand is based on values of professionalism, transparency, excellence, safety and passion in all that we do.

We are looking to recruit a passionate, creative and analytically minded Marketing Manager to join our highly driven, ambitious and dynamic team. For more details about the company please visit: www.charitychallenge.com

Who you are: You are digital marketing whizz with a flair for creativity and analytics. You should have a strong grasp of current marketing tools and strategies and be able to lead integrated digital marketing campaigns from concept and design through to execution and analytics.

You excel in researching target audiences and creating data driven marketing campaigns. In addition you are confident in website management, optimising SEO/SEM and usability. You have experience with managing brand reputation and engagement and have a creative flair with design and copy writing.

SUMMARY
The Marketing Manager is responsible for the day to day marketing activities of the organisation and long term marketing strategy for Charity Challenge to meet the company’s objectives and targets.


THE ROLE
• Help define the consumer marketing plan; establish the optimal marketing mix; website usability and optimisation; and report marketing results to senior management team

• Participate in the establishment, implementation and measurement of the effectiveness of initiatives to help drive bookings for international and national events, including paid advertising, in-bound marketing process, email and social media marketing

• Work both at the planning level by generating bold and innovative ideas for growth and at the tactical level by helping to manage advertising campaign execution, creating and optimising campaigns, analysing traffic data and solving problems

• Manage and create the full life-cycle of smart, compelling, targeted customer journeys related to marketing automation for both B2B and B2C campaigns. Work with the Sales Team to identify and generate leads for New Business Development

• Planning and designing web, SEO/SEM, email, social media and display advertising campaigns

• Maintaining our social media presence in association with our social media agency

• Measuring and reporting on the performance of all digital marketing campaigns and website analytics against previous performance, ROI and KPI’s

• Identify trends and insights and optimise spend and performance based on the insights

• Plan, design, execute and measure experiments and conversions tests

• Collaborate with internal teams to create landing pages and optimise user experience

• Utilise strong analytical ability to evaluate end-to-end customer experience across multiple channels and customer touch points

• Help identify and evaluate partnership opportunities, which could include co-marketing with reputable industry experts and retailers and engagement with adventure travel and responsible tourism communities

• Grow and manage our video content with our partner, GoFilm and maximise digital marketing opportunities

• Build brand awareness, engagement and personality through social media channels together with reputation management

• Be responsible for our brand guidelines and management

• Evaluate emerging technologies.

Core competencies
The successful candidate will be creative, highly analytical, resourceful, customer focused, team oriented, and will have an ability to work independently under time constraints to meet deadlines. You will have a proven track record for leading successful marketing programs across multiple touch points. A passion and understanding of developing website usability and brand engagement through social media channels, a love of adventure tourism, and a highly energetic flair of copywriting!

Basic Qualifications:
• 4+ years of relevant experience in marketing or marketing communications; of which at least 2 years in digital marketing
• Demonstrable experience leading and managing SEO/SEM, marketing database, email, social media and display advertising
• Proven track-record of delivering online (including mobile) traffic growth from multiple sources including multiple social media channels, mobile marketing, organic and paid search, email marketing, affiliate marketing, social networking, referrals and banner advertisements
• Highly creative experience in identifying target audiences and devising digital campaigns that engage, inform and motivate
• Experience in optimising landing pages and user funnels
• Solid knowledge of website analytics tools ie. Google Analytics
• Experience in setting up and optimising Google Adwords campaigns
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven thinking
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; strong bias towards data-based decision making and comfort with financial and operational analysis. Comfortable rolling up sleeves to perform quantitative analysis.
• Proven ability synthesizing full funnel analytics, testing (such as A/B and multivariate) and customer insights into successful marketing strategies
• A strong understanding of website development, optimisation, usability and analytics
• Budget planning and management
• Facility with Excel required for reporting purposes
• Database management experience including audience profiling
• Use of CRM systems and email marketing software
• Up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in online marketing and measurement

Preferred Attributes:
• Passion for adventure travel, understanding of responsible tourism and the third sector
• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
• Self-motivated and highly results-driven in fast-paced environment
• Excellent attention to detail, communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Strong sense of brand and editorial voice; the ability to harmonize message across multiple channels and marketing vehicles
• Use of design platforms such as InDesign and Photoshop.

What you can expect from us:
• We are a small business with a friendly office, full of people with passion for what they are doing. It is a lively and busy environment. We can promise that you will be challenged in your role! This is a chance to do something special, and work not only in the travel sector but also do something to help worthwhile causes
• The potential to travel and experience a challenge
• Monday to Friday, 09.00 – 17.30 hours
• 24 Days holiday per year (plus bank holidays).

Competitive salary dependent on experience.

Applications close Thursday 25th May. Please send your CV, along with a covering letter detailing why you are suitable for the role, to susan@charitychallenge.com

Category: Jobs / Tags: ,

Meet Ash Dykes

April 26, 2017 / / No comments

We’re thrilled to be working with adventurer Ash Dykes on an exclusive challenge in Madagascar this September. Ash was the first person to traverse the length of Madagascar, covering 1,600 miles in 155 days. Now he’s heading back, but this time with Charity Challenge, giving you the opportunity to join him on this incredible adventure challenge.

Ash Dykes

What inspired you to first visit Madagascar?
At first, it was the fact that I hardly knew a thing about the island, I was curious. I then started to do my research and I was hooked by not only the beauty and diversity, but equally by the fact that over 80% of all wildlife and plant life is found nowhere else in the world. I knew that this would provide such a unique and exciting experience.

What was the toughest part of your journey through Madagascar?
Hmm there were many tough sections, but maybe in the Northern section where I faced at times impenetrable jungle, as I used my machete to try hack my way through. I’d cover only 1.5 miles in a 12 hour day at times!

You’ll be returning this September with Charity Challenge, what are you most looking forward to?
I’m excited to be leading an expedition in one of the most beautiful valleys in Madagascar, to showing people the big landscape and different species of Andringitra National Park, some species that are found nowhere else in Madagascar. Pic Boby is beautiful and I truly look forward to returning.

What kind of training would you recommend for people preparing to join this challenge?
I’d recommend they work on their cardio, do a few treks with a backpack to help your muscles adapt to the endurance. I do a lot of calisthenics, where I use my own body weight to train, from push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups, it’s not for everyone, but you become more in control of your own body and feel not only physically stronger, but mentally stronger too, which is equally important.

Madagascar has a unique and diverse ecosystem, what can participants expect to encounter on the challenge?
They could expect to see wild lemurs, chameleons, different species of birds, bats, snakes and spiders (not venomous). Andringitra is known for its biodiversity, including 78 species of amphibians, 50 species of reptiles, 54 species of mammals, 108 species of birds, and more than 1,000 species of plants.

What kind of weather can people expect in Madagascar?
Overall, September is a great time to travel to Madagascar. The wildlife is rich and active, it’s warm and sunny – perfect temperature for walking, most probably with a cool breeze the higher up we climb. Night time can be cool and towards the peak, it will be quite possibly fleece and woolly hat weather.

Any key items you’d recommend people bring with them?
I’d recommend a (Water-to-go) filter bottle, which can be used on the go but also even used to collect tap water during travel days. Comfortable footwear, I personally just wear trainers, as they’re lightweight, breathable and quick drying. Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, blister plasters, a hat and shades.

Lastly, what’s your message to anyone thinking about joining this challenge?
This trek will be unforgettable and I mean that from the heart, you’ll love the country, the people, the wildlife and it’s beauty. It’s a country that features in many peoples mind, but very few actually go there. Be the few people that are fortunate enough to say “I’ve been to Madagascar”!

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Secure your place on the Madagascar Trek with Ash Dykes this September.

Category: Advice from the Experts /

7 Inspiring Mountain Quotes

March 17, 2017 / / No comments

Everyone loves a good inspirational quote on top of a nice photo, so to inspire you to get your walking boots out of the cupboard and head out to bag a peak, here are our top inspiring quotes about mountains!

1.

John Muir

2.

Muhammad Ali

3.

Theodore Roethke

4.

Barry Finlay

5.

David McCullough

6.

Dr Seuss

7.

Edmund Hillary

Which is your favourite? Feel free to share with a friend you’d like to bag a peak with.

choose your challenge

Category: Uncategorized /

Dave’s 11 Top Mountain Tips

March 17, 2017 / / One comment

 

 

Resident mountain expert Dave Sculthorpe has seen a peak or two in his time, having climbed to the heights of Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp and Oman. We asked him to come up with his top mountain tips to help you prepare for your next challenge.

 

 

Choose the right mountain, be realistic!
If you have never tried on a pair of walking boots, then Stok Kangri may not be the one for you. Here at Charity Challenge we’re all about being inspired, but we also want you to achieve that goal. It may be best to start with a UK challenge like our Snowdon Triple Challenge. Once you have the mountain bug then you can look at going farther and higher. Most of the best UK mountaineers cut their teeth in Scotland or Snowdonia and still keep coming back!

Choose your route and plan
Some of our challenges have different routes or seasons that you can ascend them in. Your first job is to do some research and see what will be best for you. Once signed up its time to start learning! Look at the history of the region, flora and fauna, myths, legends, language. This will heighten the experience when you get there. For me, reading about the mountaineering history of the Khumbu region made my trek to Everest Base Camp that bit more atmospheric.

Train
This is universal for any challenge. If you do not have the physical ability then the challenge will be much harder than it really needs to be! This is not to say you need to be an Olympian and everyone will still struggle at certain points. All it means is that you will not need to suffer unnecessary discomfort and you will really be able to enjoy what is all around you! We provide full training plans and advice for how best to maximise this.

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Let people know where you are going
More applicable to going out alone in the UK than one of our overseas challenges, but we have all seen 127 Hours…

Gear up
Along with training this is the one thing that can make or break a challenge. Most leaders will have seen waterproofs that aren’t water proof, soles falling off boots in the first 45 minutes, horrible blisters or just generally unusable junk. Firstly, do your homework, Don’t worry if you don’t know your boots from your Berghaus, there are plenty of reviews online, or go into a shop like Cotswold and ask the staff. Here are a few key things to look for in kit:

  1. Fit for purpose – do you need warmth, waterproof, sun protection, breathability?
  2. Good quality – Does it do what it needs to?
  3. Lightweight – You are going to carry it, so make sure you aren’t loaded more than the pack mule.
  4. Inexpensive – Kit can be expensive, but don’t always go for the most expensive kit. You can get good bargains when you know what to look for!
  5. Worn in – Try before you buy, then wear it whilst training so that you have worked out any problems. The last thing you want is for you to discover something catastrophic when you get to the mountain.

Dealing with altitude! Pace yourself
Altitude can affect anyone! It does not discriminate between how fit you are, how good your kit is or how old you are! No matter which mountain you are attempting you can bet the local guide will have a phrase that roughly translates to ‘slow down’. ‘Pole Pole’, which means ‘slowly slowly’ in Swahili, often becomes a mantra when climbing Kilimanjaro. And for good reason, the slower you go the better chance you have to let your body adjust or acclimatise. This will ultimately make the whole experience more pleasant and avoid the worst symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

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Hydrate
Sounds simple, but staying well hydrated will solve so many problems it is a wonder to think it’s so underrated. Whether you are in the desert and mountains of Oman, the Cairngorms or the Andes, it is so important. Being hydrated makes our body’s performance better and ultimately the challenge easier, but it also helps prevent heat illness and aids acclimatisation to altitude.
Top Tip: If you really hate drinking water try and take concentrated squash or isotonic powders to make it more interesting, or mask the taste of your water purification tablets.

Prevention and protection
You only have yourself to blame…
Mountains can be harsh environments despite the amazing scenery. UV levels are much stronger at altitude due to the sun’s rays passing through less atmosphere. This can really surprise people so you should wear high factor sun cream and lip balm with SPF protection. Similarly the weather can be tough and very changeable, so the correct kit, hydration and attitude will help you prevent everything from hypothermia to heat exhaustion depending on the environment. Don’t be scared – all of this is easily avoidable!

Enjoy the journey
This sounds simple but is important. Often, if people aren’t used to walking on uneven terrain with walking poles and with a backpack on, they spend a lot of time hunched over looking at the floor. Remember to pick your head up and take in everything that is around you. Chat to the guides and your fellow trekkers, play games and take lots of photos and videos. Remember this is what you have been building up to for months so make the most of it.

Bring a treat
Sometimes it is incredible the morale boost a little home comfort can bring. Whether this is a sachet of cuppa soup or hot chocolate, your iPod or a comfy pair of shoes for around camp. It can make the difference in reminding why you signed up and why you are pushing yourself to the limits.

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Be ready to adapt
This is true of all expeditions but especially mountain treks. Things will change, plans will go out the window and the heavens will open when you really wanted that bucket list photo. This is just what happens and if you can take this in your stride or even learn to enjoy this inevitability of expeditions, then your time will be all the better for it.

 

Now that you’ve got the tips, we bet you’re ready to bag yourself a peak! Head over and choose your challenge today.

choose your challenge

Category: Mountains, Trekking Blogs, Trekking Tips and Tricks / Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Bag A Peak: Mountain Summits Infographic

March 10, 2017 / / No comments

Mountain infographic

Head on over to our website to pick your next mountain challenge.

choose your challenge

Category: Mountains / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

6 Oscar-winning fundraising ideas

February 22, 2017 / / No comments

HollywoodIf you’re fundraising for a forthcoming expedition, have you thought about hosting your own Academy Awards Fundraising Party to help you reach your sponsorship target? We’ve put together a list of ideas to help you win your very own ‘nomination’ for Best Fundraiser of the Year…

1. HOST YOUR OWN OSCARS PARTY
Forget about the after parties in Hollywood, YOUR party is where it’s at! Invite your friends over for an all night Oscar’s party. Set the theme (black tie event, dress as your favourite movie character etc), pop open some bubbly, dish out some popcorn and charge your friends an entrance fee to attend.

2. NAME THAT MOVIE
Play some of your favourite games – with a movie twist! Do a film-themed game of charades, set up a Hollywood Pictionary tournament in the office or hula-hoop for the entire duration of the longest acceptance speech…

3. GO GLAM FOR THE DAY
Swap a dress down day at work for a dress up one! Ask your colleagues to come to the office in their best attire – the glitzier the better. Perhaps someone is bold enough to wear a gold spandex morph suit and come dressed as the Oscar statue?

4. HAVE FUN WITH A SWEEPSTAKE
How many awards will La La Land win? How many minutes will the longest speech be? Set up a variety of sweepstakes and encourage all your friends to get involved.

5. SILVER SCREEN QUIZ
Do you know your Spielberg from your Scorsese? If you’re a movie buff, create your own film-related quiz. There could be a picture round, an Oscars round, a Disney round etc – you could have endless fun with writing your own film trivia questions!

6. DEVISE YOUR OWN AWARDS SHOW
Set up your own awards ceremony and create some categories. Ask your friends to nominate, and shortlist the nominees! You can even create some awards that are relevant to your challenge. Who’s been your Best Cheerleader in a Supporting Role in your challenge journey? Who would you nominate for Outstanding Contribution to trekking/cycling?

This weekend, ladies and gentleman, our award for Best Participant goes to all of YOU for your dedication and enthusiasm to your challenge. Best of luck with your fundraising, and enjoy the razzle dazzle of the awards…

Category: Fundraising /

8 Places To Get On Your Bike In 2017/18

February 16, 2017 / / 3 comments

Cycling is well known to be the most efficient form of transport on the planet. We think it’s also one of the best ways to see a country, while burning a few calories too! But where, you ask, should you take to the saddle and pedal your way from A to B? To get you started, here’s a little inspiration, including two brand new cycling itineraries!

PARIS
London to Paris Bike Ride

France is arguably the spiritual home of cycling, with Le Tour de France bringing a celebration of all things vélo to millions of fans worldwide each year. We think we’ve come up with the ultimate Tour de France experience. Come with us as we make our way to Paris from London on two wheels, arriving at the Eiffel Tower before catching the final stage in person!

SPAIN/FRANCE – new!
San Sebastian to Barcelona

Want to up the pace and follow in the tracks of the Tour de France riders? This brand new challenge sees you depart the beautiful coastal city of San Sebastian in Spain, before crossing the border into France and tackling the famous Pyrenees mountains. Will you face the most gruelling climbs, or take the easier route? The choice is up to you.

San Sebastian to Barcelona

ICELAND
Iceland Fire and Ice Cycle Challenge

To cycle a landscape like no other, Iceland offers a volcanic ride through steams, hot springs and lava fields. The land of ice and fire is truly unique, but with a challenge grading of ‘tough’, you’ll have to work for those scenic views. It’ll be worth it though, and as a reward for reaching the finish line in Reykjavik, you can take a tip in the famous Blue Lagoon. There’s even a chance you might get to see the Northern Lights!

Iceland Cycle

BURMA
Cycle Burma

Cycle Burma

One of South East Asia’s best kept secrets, Burma is still a relatively new destination. Uncover this beautiful part of the world by cycling from Mandalay to Inle Lake through rural countryside, stopping at temples, farms, villages and towns along the way.

MOROCCO
Atlas Mountain Bike Challenge

Morocco might not be an obvious cycling destination, but the High Atlas Mountains provide a magnificent backdrop for our 8 day cycling challenge. From the busy streets of Marrakech you will ride into the Mgoun Massif, passing remote Berber villages between dramatic, changing scenery.

High Atlas

VIETNAM & CAMBODIA
Saigon to Angkor Wat Bike Ride

Want to explore South East Asia and tick off a few of the region’s most famous landmarks? Cycle 450kms over 11 days, through Vietnam and Cambodia, following the Mekong Delta. You might lose count of temples and pagodas along the way, but you won’t forget the amazing Angor Wat complex, bustling Saigon or Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city.

Cycle Saigon Angkor

TANZANIA
Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater Bike Challenge

Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is well known amongst trekkers, and provides a backdrop to this incredible cycling challenge. Make your way 450kms from Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater, passing Maasai villages in the Great Rift Valley, be prepared for hot weather and amazing scenery.

ITALY – new!
Italian Great Lakes Cycle

Like the Tour de France, Italy hosts its own annual grand cycling tour, the Giro d’Italia. This prestigious cycling event pedals through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, and now we have a brand new challenge dedicated to visiting some of these well ridden routes. With a leg-aching 400km between Lake Como and Lake Garda, this is no easy feat, but it will be so rewarding.

Italian Lakes

Feeling inspired to jump on your saddle? Take a look at our website for a full list of our cycling challenges, and sign up today!

Category: Cycling /

Meet the Leader: Penny Knight

February 7, 2017 / / One comment

Adventurous expedition leader, Penny Knight, has worked with Charity Challenge for over 7 years on a variety of exciting overseas challenges. From crossing glacial rivers in Iceland to trekking across the sun-drenched Sahara Desert, Penny shares some of her highlights with us…

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Name: Penny Knight

(Current) location: North Yorkshire Dales

What’s been your favourite expedition (so far)?
It’s so hard to decide on one, but I think it has to be the Sumatran Jungle challenge, for so many reasons. I just love the smiley people, hot, humid climate and varied wildlife. The fantastic spicy food, physical variety of the challenge with river wading and steep ascents and descents – along with the remoteness and survival aspects- really make this a true challenge in every sense of the word.

What’s been your most memorable moment on an expedition?
I will never forget climbing the Heavenly Staircase on the Great Wall in China with one particular participants who shared their motivation and story with me. It was incredibly emotional and I remember there were a few tears (from the both of us!) as she conquered the challenge.

What qualities do you think a good expedition leader needs?
Good preparation is vital, and a sense of humour is key! You need to be able to balance caution and confidence simultaneously, and you must have the ability to make decisions quickly whilst remaining calm under pressure. An inherent spirit and wild enthusiasm definitely help, along with the ability to be supportive and empathetic throughout some grueling conditions.

What do you think you would be doing if you were not an expedition leader?
Very sad . . . . . but probably an outdoor centre operations manager ( as I was before I qualified to lead expeditions).

When you’re not hiking up mountains or cycling across countries, what do you do in your spare time?
You will usually find me outside! Yesterday I enjoyed a fantastic 12 mile walk in the Yorkshire Dales. I do enjoy writing about my adventures, and recently published my book, A Knight Fulfilled, which includes some of my experiences from around the world. I do love great food – but not cooking so much! And I love to keep in touch with friends that I have made on these expeditions throughout the years.

What is the best thing about being a leader?
The people you meet – both the participants and the guides in country. I also really enjoy the difference you hope you can make to those who trust you to lead them, and the way you can learn and motivate each other – it is priceless.  It truly gives me a greater thrill than anything else I can think of in life – an excitement, satisfaction, exhilaration, pride, value and enjoyment which cannot be surpassed in any other line of work I’ve come across!

 

Have you been on an expedition with Penny? Did she help you achieve more than you ever thought was possible? Share your experiences and stories with us. Comment below!

Category: Uncategorized /
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