Endurance events have a way of pushing us to our limits, testing our physical and mental strength in the most challenging conditions. Last weekend, I embarked on a grueling 30-mile endurance event in the picturesque but unforgiving landscapes of the South of England. With a full kit weighing 25kg and the unpredictable weather at play, this journey was not only a gauge of my current fitness level but also a testament to my determination and preparation for an upcoming expedition.

January, the coldest and most unforgiving month in Britain, isn't exactly the prime time for outdoor escapades. Yet, for me, it presented the perfect opportunity for a unique birthday celebration. Rather than the usual partying, I decided to test my limits and create unforgettable memories by attempting the legendary Fan Dance in the heart of Brecon Beacons National Park. And to make it even more special, I convinced my brother, a boxing world champion with no prior hill or rucking experience, to join me on this exhilarating journey.

First of all, I set out a budget for the trip, I usually aim for a round figure but it is always upwards of £5,000 - more than enough for a trip anywhere in the world for four to six weeks.
Don’t think you can load up the credit card and a way you go either.
Remember, travelling to rural, remote locations cash is king!
Money talks anywhere in the world, from bribes to transport costs to all in between.

You would think I would need a break from travel after my last expedition, but, it isn’t long before I find my feet itching and the desire to fly away calling me.
However, planning an expedition is not a simple case of sticking a pin in the map and away you go.
No, it takes time. In my case, planning an expedition takes up to two years of research.
Firstly, you have to be drawn to a particular location. For me, there is always a reason behind why I want to go to a certain country.
It could be an animal I would love to see in its natural habitat, or simply the culture of the location that draws me in, making me want to experience it for myself.

I've lost track of the number of times I'm asked how and what I eat in those situations. There is an idea that people that explore or spend extended times away from villages towns or even people, like me can rustle up a meal from the wild in any situation. Popular TV channels have reinforced this idea repeatedly over the last decade. However, the truth is that learning how to survive on wild fruit, berries, and bugs is a complex and often dangerous process. Unless you know what you have stumbled across, without any doubt, there is a good chance of poisoning yourself.

At one point on the expedition, I actually had to move a python from the path in front of me which was surreal, to say the least. On the same day, we also had to wait two hours for a female orangutan to move off our path. It would not have been safe to scoot around her- they are bigger than you think. Eventually, she shifted and we were able to continue with our hike. Seeing the Orangutans close though was an incredible experience…and the excitement didn’t end there. I’ll never forget watching the Macaque monkeys steal our pancakes on my 18th birthday morning. Not very typical for a young man's 18th, but nevertheless, I was over the moon to be chilling out with the Macaques on my birthday.

Well, what a year 2020 has been for international travel and explorers like myself.
Unsurprisingly, the travel and tourism industry has been one of the sectors hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. It put a halt in so many people’s travel plans, including my own. After many cancellation emails later, I’ve come to accept 2020 was just not the year for international travel. Though it has been disappointing in many ways, 2020 has inspired me to get my head down and make plans for my future trips in the year to come.

I’m never home for long before I start to feel the urge to go on another adventure. Planning an expedition is a lot of work. These are some of the things that I consider when choosing my next big adventure and prepare for it.

How is the Covid-19 global pandemic impacting travel plans? Is Coronavirus killing tourism? Travel plan inspiration for UK adventures post lockdown.

In the last month, I have secured 4 new sponsorship and partners with organisations which are paramount to the success of the expedition to the darién gap In Colombia and Panama.