Expedition REAL

At the time she chose to pivot her life and take on the South Pole, Ann was a single mother who'd just had triplets. Her incredible story from her home town to becoming part of the first all women's team to ski to both the North and the South Pole is something truly inspiring.  In this episode we're talking about incredible women and the democratisation of exploration, climate change and Anns observed truths about it.

Dr Adrian McCallum is a field scientist and engineer practicing glaciology in the farthest flung regions of the planet. Having summited Mount Everest in the early 00s, he went on to obtain 3 degrees and a PHD from Cambridge, and now leads and prepare scientific expeditions in the subzero regions of the world, including both the Arctic and the Antarctic. Adrian also played a leading role in the planning for Sir Ranulph Fiennes "The Coldest Journey" expedition to become the first team to cross the continent of Antarctica in the winter, where temperatures reach almost -90C.   

Nat Gibb, from Under The Jungle Dive Shop in Mexico talks about her experiences at the pinnacle of underwater cave exploration. We chat about everything from equipment, to training and the discovery of the Medusa cave system recently featured in SideTracked Magazine. Check out Nat's website at www.underthejungle.com or head to www.echio.co.uk for more episodes and information.

Today's guest, Mario Rigby walked the entire length of Africa from the Southern most tip of South Africa, to the most Northern tip of Egypt. A feat which took him 2 years to complete. This episode is all about hitting reset, and seeking a new path to something undiscovered within yourself. We'll be talking about the beauty of Africa, and it's people, but also about perspective and the loneliness that comes with 2 years on the road. Mario also has a few stories to tell, as you'd have guessed, so we'll be talking through his encounters with wildlife, gunfights with rebels and his preparation for the obstacles he'd encounter. 

Jan Bakker, author of Trekking in Tajikistan is forming a new 1000km trekking route called the Pamir Trail. In this episode, we talk about the Pamir Trail from end to end, as well as a little of what it's like to be a professional guide in this region. Check out some more about Jan and the Pamir Trail at www.echio.co.uk, where you'll also find the show notes and links to Jan's work.

Karen Darke has won 2 Paralympic medals and a Paratriathlon world championship, but has also been on to hand cycle 6/7 continents, climb El Capitan, and cross Greenlands Icecap all while paralysed from the chest down. In this episode we're talking about her journey, lessons in toughness and the pursuit of goals.

Jasper Gibson is a professional adventure photographer, who's work is featured in Outside and Sidetracked Magazines, and who spends his time with some of the best extreme sports athletes in the world. In this episode we spoke about his self supported expeditions into the Boundary Mountain Range, and what it's like to explore the world for work.

The Side Car Guys drove a moped with a sidecar around the entire planet, setting a Guiness World Record in the process. In this episode we're talking about their amazing experiences, and the challenges that come with a trip of this magnitude. We'll also learn about how to plan something like this ourselves, what's important, and the biggest lessons learned.

Dixie Dansercoer, author of 27 guidebooks on polar exploration and multiple world record holder, talks to us about The North Pole. We chat about polar bear confrontations, navigation and mental preparation- all the things a good expedition requires!

I chat with Mariam Ktiri, 7 summiteer and only woman on Earth to complete this challenge in 1 year. Mariam tells us stories from the top of the world, and gives advice to real people looking to take on their first mountain.