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The Great Glen Way gives the adventurous a unique opportunity to paddle from the Atlantic to the North Sea; traverse across the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Inverness. Myself and four friends took on the multi-day challenge……in single Kayaks.  I’m so proud of my team – we nailed it ! 12th June – 16th June 2023 Mark ‘Ackers’ Ackred  :  Clay Smith  :  Rob Callaway  : Roger Davies : Jon Ingarfield #livealifetodiefor

In April 2019 we trekked in the footsteps of Mallory and Irvine, up the Magic Highway’ to Mt Everest’s Advance Base Camp (ABC3) 6,500m/ 21,000 feet; which is just below the North Col to play two games of Rugby on a glacier. Myself and Lesley, trekked and played alongside, Rugby stars Lee Mears, Ollie Phillips, Shane Williams, Tamara Taylor plus 20 inspirational men and women to help raise more than £250,000 for children with disabilities and facing disadvantage across the UK and Ireland. The Rugby Challenge took place across 24 days; our group battled acclimatisation and altitude to play the World Record for highest ever game  of mixed seven-a-side ‘Touch Rugby’ at Everest Base Camp @ 12.15 pm on Thursday 25th April; our birthday Girl, Lesley, kicks off at 5,119 meters  (16795 ft) above sea level. On 30th April 2019, after a long and tough hike, wearing crampons from Mount Everest Advance Base Camp 3, Tibet, China  to a ‘field’ of ice and snow. Under the supervision of Rob “head grounds man” Callaway, and in accordance, with Guinness World Record specifications, we construct a full size Rugby pitch (100m x 70m min), with posts, lines, flags etc. on the East Ronbuk Glacier  (EABC) (28°06’4.32″ N 86°51’32.91″ E). The Highest full contact Seven-a-Side Rugby Union match, was played at altitude of 6,331m (20,770 ft), We made History:           Double World Record Holders.  #RugbyonEverest  #LiveaLifetoDieFor The Team posing on the pitch at Everest Base Camp, Tibet , China  (28°8′29″N 86°51′5″E).

The Toby Wallace Atlantic Row – January/February 2016   It was approaching midnight on the 28th Jan 2016 – I was sitting in my rowing position, on the “Toby Wallace”, a light-weight ocean rowing boat; ‘primed and ready for an attempt’ on a world record. Our challenge was to Row across the North Atlantic, setting off from Marina Puerto De Mogan Gran Canaria, 4815Km. / 2992 miles to Port St Charles Barbados faster than anyone before. I was musing !!!!    Rowing the Atlantic seemed a good idea at the time. On reflection !!!!    However the reality, as with much of life, it’s not all it seems. Ocean Rowers will row for 12 hour in every 24 hours; 2 hours on and sleep for two hour. However, Simon had worked a new system, every day for the next 34+ days on the Atlantic, we were too row 12 hrs per day split into ‘five watches’. 1 hour at midday and a 4 hour session during the small wee hours, 2 x2 hrs and 1 x 3hr. On the upside, we did each have a 3 minute break every hour, to take a drink, eat sweets, poo and pee. Tragedy struck in the night of February 14th. Location close to 18 29′ N  039 06′ W. over a thousand miles from land. Simon gave a loud warning shout, “big wave”. I looked up to see a monster swell coming at us fast out of the dark; it was the size of a two storey building. This rogue wave was arriving from unexpected direction intent on broadsiding our row boat. Not to break over but pummelled through us like a water tornado. The immense power of unstoppable maelstrom of angry sea water lifted me and ripped my rowing seat from its fixings, luckily dumping me in a tangle, hard into the small corner of the low 300 mm gunnel and cabin bulkhead; luckily not over the side. Moments later I heard Simon shout those most dreaded words. “Man Over Board”. My hardwired primal instinct for survival kicked in.  I fought to get up to see the ‘Strokes’ seat was empty. Mike was gone. After 12 hr search by air and sea the rescue operation was called off. Mike was lost to the sea. As I have grown older, more traveled and somewhat more informed I truly appreciate ‘Time’ is my most precious resource. ‘A day at a time’, I accept I am passing through Life just this once!   I choose not to waste the Adventure! #livealifetodiefor Link to Sutton Guardian News Story Roger raised funds for Action on AddictionAction on Addiction is a UK-based charity that works with people affected by drug and alcohol addiction. It works in the areas of research, prevention, treatment, aftercare, as well as professional education and family support Crew Profiles for the “TOBY WALLACE” January 2016 Toby Wallace Atlantic Row 2016 Atlantic Row 2016 Photos

At the ripe old age of 61 yrs, with 28 yrs of sobriety behind me, standing shoulder to shoulder with my teammate, James Trotman 34 yrs; ready and willing to race, against four determined teams of three extreme adventurers in the biennial Polar Race. We set off from Resolute Bay, Nunavut (74°43’N and 94°53’W), to walk / ski, dragging all our food and equipment on pulks 648 km / 403 miles to the North Magnetic Pole. Very challenging and require a lot of physical and mental endurance Insanity? No, I’ve learned that insanity involves doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result. Having never attempted to race across the most desolate terrain in the world before, I had no idea what to expect. After 2 years of preparation, training and one heart attack; I was tremendously excited to be a part of such a great adventure . As I grow older, I have no intention of slowing down and being a typical retiree. My ambition was achieved at 8.47 pm. on 29th April 2009 on reaching the Magnetic North Pole      78°  35′  724 ″ N,     104° 11′ 915 ″ W. Roger used the expedition to raise money for his local charity, the Tadworth Children’s Trust, which supports children with multiple disabilities and complex healthcare needs. Roger Davies Polar Race Interview with ITV News The Arctic is never boring; quietly it emits a raw power. It’s still hard for me to grasp that I trekked across the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole, on constantly shifting pieces of sea ice, covered with ice rubble of fanciful shapes in a range of impossible sizes. I recall comparing the frozen seascape to a field of giant, rough-cut diamonds scattered by an unseen hand. The desolate landscape has a stark savage beauty that exceeds the expectations of all who witness it. Out there I am just a speck on the most desolate terrain on the planet. I want to tell you more about this extraordinary journey and the challenges that lie ahead. Polar Race 2009 Photos