True North project
The Story
In January 2022 I set out to inspire the younger generation through my own adversity that I have faced, in doing so created the (True North project). As part of this project, I want to Travel to the world’s most remote locations, study and research, aiming in climbing the tallest mountain in the world (Mount Everest) and North pole to name a few.
Travelling these extremely cold climates and technical environments in working to tell the stories of the men and women explorers before our time, lost or forgotten.
I made this meticulous decision as I have seen the negative impact that everyday experiences could have for young people including social media, which has led to a rise in mental health cases throughout children and young adults. These statistics also reflect the rise in crime within the younger community. Hiking was one of the main elements that gave me the solace in my life. The outdoor experience shows evidence that it can promote a more positive effect on mental health and overall well-being. This is proven by the fact that even the NHS has begun to prescribe people an outdoor experience, this is called “Green social prescribing.”
While researching it came to my attention that there is an under representation for future generations in the world of mountaineering. Although that I have been an experienced hiker and overall traveller, I have limited experience when climbing 8000-meter peaks. I am wanting to make an impact with expeditions like these. I have now begun to develop the skills necessary to summit Everest safely and successfully. Traveling to remote locations predominantly based in the UK as well as making it to the Alps, Norway and soon to be the Himalayas.
As part of this attempt, I will become one of the first black Brits to ever achieve this. While this is a challenge on its own, this is only the beginning.
The preparation
“Training for a project like this is all about consistency, even though it has been impossible to get out to the mountains every day I still found time to do long distances runs no less than 6miles 3 times a week”. During the preparation for the 12in4 challenge I would carry 21kg+ in a backpack and run up and down Box Hill (Surrey) once a day, It didn’t stop there. Every other day I began his training in Richmond Park. I would run the perimeter of the park that stretches 8 miles across steep hills and undulated ground.