I’mm both surprised and proud to have been named as one of the National Geographic Adventurers of the Year.
There are some magnificent names alongside me in the nominations. Sano Babu Sunuwar and Lakpa Tsheri Sherpa have my favourite tale of the year. I really hope that they win the People’s Choice award. Cory Richards and Nick Waggoner have been involved in some enviable films. There are great feats too from Hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis, kayakers Jon Turk, Erik Boomer and mountaineer Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner. And there are some superb athletes in the list, on bike, snow and wave, in addition to those of us in the expedition world.
It’s certainly an honour, but I am especially chuffed that the nomination is in regards to my Year of Microadventure. It’s a pleasing doff towards what I consider the most useful project I’mve ever done as an adventurer.
In other news, my India book is almost done. Sign up here to be emailed when it’s ready. Guaranteed Christmas delivery in the UK!
Congratulations , great to see all the hard word and dedication rewarded. Best of luck in the competition.
Congratulations Al, a well deserved acknowledgement of your work.
Good stuff I think you are in with a good chance of winning!
I honestly thought this was a spoof article. Mate your ride round the world was a good effort but that was years ago and National Geographic are calling you Adventurer of the Year for these little weekend jollies you’ve ended up doing?! That’s pretty bloody poor when you think of all the real adventurers, the real expeditions that are doing harder stuff than you would ever have the balls to do.
Stop being so up yourself and showing off. Give respect where it’s due to the real pros.
Hi, thanks for your thoughts.
I agree – I was surprised that Nat Geo appreciated the microadventure concept. But that vindicates my belief that it is an important idea that’s worth spreading wide.
I hope that I have never, ever claimed to be in the same league as hardcore mountaineers. Though I do believe that our South Pole project is pretty hard and “ballsy”. Its sheer complexity and cost is a small testament to its scale.
I am sorry that you think I am a show off. In fact I wonder what of interest brought you to my site at all as you don’t seem to like much that I do!?
Best Wishes,
Alastair
Whoops, sorry Al, forgot to put my name to my comment above. :) Ha!
:-)
Following a bit of confusion I want to clarify that Mark did not write the initial comment on this thread.
(At least I don’t think that he did!)
Well done Al
That comment was a joke right?!
Congratulations Al, I think microadventures are a great concept and if you can bring even a tiny bit of adventure into people’s lives that’s a great achievement – people get ‘lost’ in the day to day and ‘forget’ to take time for these things! :)
Congratulations Al, I do believe all the others deserve their place, but I am unlikely to canoe around an island or climb Everest or any other major expedition however microadventures have given us the inspiration that anyone can have an adventure.
Good luck
Bravo Al! Good to see two of my favorite adventurers honored by such a good magazine. I love your stories and books and I love Danny MacAskill’s videos! You two are in good company!
Well done Al! A great reward for all your inspirational work.
Well done Al you jammy git! Jim just told me the good news. Your energy amazes me (despite the fact you’re getting old now)
Amazing news Al – bravo. You are an inspiration to all. Great job today at Explore and hoping you get the gong.
Micro on!
Tom
Well done for your nomination, I regularly look at your website on a lunchtime at work, helps me mentally escape from the office for a while! Keep up the good work.
Thanks Rob!
Well done Al on the adventures, your website is fantastic and your adventures fascinating, and original.
Oh and who was that numpty that wrote the ridiculous comment, what a loser! Hiding behind his computer screen, I bet he rarely makes it past his local Dominos Pizza!