How to Make 2018 Your Most Adventurous Year Yet - Outdoors Magic

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How to Make 2018 Your Most Adventurous Year Yet

We asked 14 adventurers about their plans for the year ahead

“The problem with New Year’s resolutions – and resolutions to ‘get in better shape’ in general, which are very amorphous – is that people try to adopt too many behavioural changes at once. It doesn’t work.”

While we’re not familiar with the rest of business podcaster Tim Ferriss’s work (and we only just came across him by Googling ‘Quotes on New Years resolutions’) we’d say he’s bang on there. All too often we set tedious tasks for ourselves, have a bit of a miserable start to the year and then eventually go back to our wicked ways.

Resolutions… no thanks. So what about just coming up with a load of fun stuff that, all-going-well, we might be able to get round to over the course of the year? That’s how these outdoors men and women seem to be approaching 2018 anyway.

Alan Hinkes
Only Briton to have climbed all 14 of the world’s 8000m peaks, Fjällräven amabassador.
“I might complete all the Wainwrights in the Lake District & explore a few nooks & crannies of the Fells I’ve never been to. I’m also hoping to get some good ice climbing in on Ben Nevis & rock climbing on dry rock. There’s a tentative plan to go to the ‘Mountains of the Moon’ – the Rwenzori Mountains between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

Elise Downing
Completed a solo, unsupported run around the coast of Britain.
“I’d like to try and squeeze a bit more adventure into everyday life, whether that’s going to explore a new park in London after work (rather than running the same boring routes over and over and over) or heading somewhere new nearby for a weekend. I don’t have tonnes of time for big, exciting trips this year but I don’t want to let that stop me spending time outdoors.”

Mary-Ann Ochota
Presenter, writer and Hillwalking Ambassador for the British Mountaineering Council.
“This year’s going to be a bit special, as I’m expecting a baby! I’m going to try and keep active and get outside as much as possible so I’ve resolved to try and complete the #EverestAnywhere challenge where you add up the ascent of any walk you do to reach a grand total of 8848m – equivalent to the highest mountain on Earth. If I don’t make it before the baby arrives, he or she will have to accompany me for the ’summit push’!”

Mary-Ann Ochota. Photo: Alex Messenger, BMC
Alan Hinkes (right)

Huw-Jack Brassington
Adventure racer, finisher at the 2017 Berghaus Dragon’s Back.
“I’m looking at giving the run-ride-kayak Scotland Coast-To-Coast a go. I did the original one over in New Zealand and I’d like to see the comparison. First I need to learn to kayak without gurning like an absolute maniac. Other aims are to bag ten more winter Munro’s and attempt the Paddy Buckley round.”

Damian Hall
Fastest British finisher at the 2017 UTMB, author of A Year on the Run.
“I’d like to get my children (aged six and three) up some proper mountains and place in the top 10 at UTMB.”

Will Renwick
Editor at OutdoorsMagic.
“A hike of the Cambrian Way had been on my agenda for so long and it was fantastic to finally get the chance to walk it over 18 days last year. My attention has now turned to another Welsh wander: an east to west traverse of the South Wales Valleys by my own set route.”

Dave Cornthwaite
Taking on 25 journeys of 1000 miles using different forms of non-motorised transport.
“I’m taking a break from 1000-mile expeditions this year and focusing in on a gentle passion of mine; finding weird, wonderful and often quirky places to sleep, usually with a connection to nature. I’m also creating a countryside space where people can dream-up their next adventure, learn new skills and generally get a countryside break away from the city. It’s called The YesBus.”

Athena Mellor
Founder of Ramble Guides, contributor to OutdoorsMagic
“I managed my first multi-day hike last year, walking the West Highland Way, and I’d like to take things one step further in 2018 by hopefully climbing some mountains in the Alps. That means learning ropework techniques, and practising how to use crampons and ice axe; it’s a 2018 challenge I’m really excited about.”

Elise Downing
Alastair Humphreys

Jack Clayton
Adventure writer, Associate Editor at Mpora.
“I remember so clearly my Dad driving us past Ben Nevis when I was a kid and saying: “That right there son is the highest mountain in the UK.” Twenty years later, and I still haven’t got round to actually climbing up the thing. As an adventure writer based in Britain, who regularly visits Scotland, I’ve decided that I cannot let this sorry state of affairs continue.”

Ed Stafford 
Only person to have walked the length of the Amazon, TV personality, speaker.
“In February I pause my adventure filming to look after my boy as my wife, Laura Bingham, tackles a world first expedition in South America. What Laura’s doing is more dangerous than anything I’ve done since walking the Amazon and I’m having to take a deep breath and fight the temptation to interfere and double check her preparations. So in 2018, my plan is to relax, honour the fact that taking risks has got me where I am, and keep smiling.”

Alex Staniforth
In 2017 Alex climbed all of the UK’s county tops and cycled between them
“During my Climb The UK challenge last year there were so many spectacular places that I didn’t have time to explore properly, so I’d love to go back to Arran and the Orkney Isles for some running and cycling without having to rush for a ferry.”

Alex Kendall
Snowdonia Way creator and guidebook author, Mountain Leader.
“This year I want to start going out for longer days, making conscious decisions to choose routes that will include dawn and/or dusk. They don’t have to be ‘fast and light’, in fact often slower is better, as it allows you to become more familiar with the mountain.”

Will Copestake
Completed a continuous winter round of the Munros & contributor to OutdoorsMagic.
“This year is an exciting one as I and my good friend Tim are in the early stages of developing a kayak company in the north west of Scotland.

“On a personal adventure front, I aim to embark on a second fjordland expedition in Patagonia this April following my current working season here, and planning and prep for this is already underway. From then I return to Scotland and look forward to sharing adventures with whoever can join along the way. ”

Al Humphreys
Champion of the microadventure concept, adventurer, author and speaker.
“In 2018, I’d like do something about this: ‘Countdown Begins to Prevent Loss of Thousands of Footpaths and Alleyways‘.”

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