I spend a lot of my time speaking in schools, trying to encourage young people to indulge in a little bold dreaming.
One question that I am often asked is what inspired me to begin travelling and living the way I do.
My answer is that I enjoyed reading books of great journeys (in particular Living Dangerously by Sir Ranulph Fiennes) and I used to wonder whether I could ever do anything like that. I realised that the only way I would ever know was by having a go myself.
In terms of heroes I often mention Ran Fiennes, Lance Armstrong and Robert Jordan.
I was asked this question 3 times in 3 days at 3 schools this week. It is clearly a question that matters to young people.
So I decided to put the question to various other people who make their way in similar kinds of worlds to me. Here is what they had to say:
Nick Smith, UK Editor, the Explorers Journal: “At school we were always taught about Edgar Evans of Scott’s Terra Nova expedition, because he was born nearby. That’s how I got interested in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration and in particular Ernest Shackleton, who is a definitive hero. I don’t have any heroes in the modern era because exploration’s not like that any more, but I am inspired by writers and photographers who go to extremes to capture their images and tell their tales…”
James Hooper, Explorer: “Hope you’re well. Probably the initial inspiration was a picture of the himalayas in newspaper! And I’mm afraid my inspirations aren’t particularly original, but Shackleton getting from Elephant island to South Georgia and then across it, just unbelievable… and Lance Armstrong for ultimate commitment….!”
Seb Mankelow, Mountaineer: “Eric Shipton’s “Upon that Mountain” inspired me, I don’t really have a hero, Clint Eastwood, or Gene Rodenberry come quite close.”
Paul Deegan, Mountaineer: “The deteriorating environmental situation on Everest is what inspired me to organise my first expedition in 1988 at the age of 18. And the person who inspired me to undertake expeditions is John Barry, whom I talk about in my Do Lecture.”
Alex Hibbert, Expeditionist: Inspiration: Polar Attack by Richard Weber and Misha Malakhov (for not being afraid to have an opinion and stick by it).
Hero: Sir Peter Scott (for having great depth in his breadth).Hannah McKeand, Polar Explorer: “My inspiration for my first remote trips was a desire to see the Cave Of Swimmers made famous in Michael Ondaatje’s novel The English Patient. It led me to years of deep desert travel and from there a desire to visit the polar deserts that have become my passion.
My adventure hero is Shackleton of course.”Tori James, Mountaineer: “I’mve taken inspiration from my granddad, who served as a Royal Marine Commando during World War Two. Sadly he passed away without witnessing any of my achievements – I don’t think he’d have let me go to Everest!
I read the ‘Backpackers Handbook’ by Hugh McManners from cover to cover when I was about 14, and my adventures just got bigger and bigger after that!”Tom Clowes, Mountaineer: “The book that captured my imagination was called ‘Feeding the Rat’ by Al Alvarez. A wonderful true story about Mo Anthoine who found his greatest joy in adventures that tested the far limits of human endurance. One of the most enjoyable books I have read, one which certainly inspired me to get out there and do things! Bonington and Scott inspired me in the early days and then more recently, the late Inaki Ochoa de Olza.
Tim Salmon, writer: “A train and boat trip to Greece when I was sixteen is what got me going: crossing frontiers in the night, being woken by foreign guards demanding passports in strange languages, seeing day break over the Alps, sailing through the Corinth canal… Irresistible!”
Andy Pagg, Eco-adventurer: “I was inspired by “Travels with my Aunt” by Graham Greene when I was about 14, which made me realise the world is big and diverse with different rules and mores, and if you don’t explore it, you stifle your thinking and consequently your potential. It also taught me that all rules should be bent, some beyond breaking point.”
Tom Avery, adventurer: “Book – Children’s Ladybird book called Captain Scott. Hero – Thor Heyerdahl.”
Nigel Winser, Earthwatch: “In the late 60’s and early 70’s there was a new generation of individuals committed to environmental sustainability. Rachel Carson and her Silent Spring was part of the wake-up call. I was fortunate to meet and work with Robin Hanbury-Tension – founder of Survival International and that began a career with John Hemming and Shane at the Royal Geographical Society following an 18 month survey of the tropical forests and cave systems of the Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak. As a boy I was inspired by John Hunt’s Ascent of Everest – and what could be achieved by a committed group of individuals. And I have used his maxim ‘Life is Meeting’ ever since I had the privilege to work with John while he was President of the RGS. So a number of heroes and heroines. But the most influential were my parents who shared their love of nature and people from an early age – in East Africa where we lived.
Konrad Lorenz’s Waning of Humanness was an important influence. This great naturalist describes the importance of being ‘close to nature, for as long as possible, from the earliest possible age’ if we want to begin to understand the complexity and value of the natural world.”
Rob Lilwall, cyclist: “Inspired me: Benedict Allen’s ‘Mad White Giant’
My heroes: Fiction: Sarah Smith from Golder’s Green
Real: Bishop Tom Wright”Tarka L’Herpiniere, explorer: “Bill King because by night he dreamt and by day he made those dreams a reality.”
Who are your heroes? What inspired you to do what you do?
Please leave a comment and let us know…
When I was about 12-13 years old my Dad got a book called Everest The Hard Way. I remember him studying the pages for hours. When I finally got my hands on the book he asked me what I thought of people like Chris Bonington. I told him that they’re hero’s and I wanted to do what they do. Dad shocked me by saying I must be as mad as them to even think about climbing a mountain. It wasn’t until I joined the Army that I actually got to do anything close to Chris Bonington, Doug Scott, or Don Whillans (and his famous box). Adventure training, mountaineering, white water rafting, all at the expense of HM Forces. Then came civi-street in ’94, one crap job after another, until picked up another book on Everest, saw Chris Bonington on the first page I opened. It was at that moment I decided that one day I’ll have to do what I want to do, not what the world thinks I should do. Then last November my latest ‘crap job’ came to a very sudden end. Maybe that time has come. It’s ‘me’ time. Time to follow in the footsteps of Chris Bonington, time to live a little rather than just pay the bills. Who knows, in a few years time, someone’s son or daughter might be called mad by their Dad for even thinking about doing the things I’m going to start doing.
So, who is my hero? Chris Bonington?
NO!
My Dad is my hero, it is him after all that got the book that may have just changed my life.
Before and after the MdS, I had the pleasure of being invited to speak to some schools up here in Scotland …the kids had no problem asking ANY questions (toilet questions proved popular as did photographs of busted feet) . Took a pile of gear for them to play around with – one primary 3 boy came up and asked me if I reckoned he could do it …I hope in time he finds his adventures.
Long after the memories of the dunes have dulled …the memories of the kids faces remains.