Comments on: Explorers share their Inspirations http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/2010/01/explorers-share-inspirations/ Adventurer | Author | Motivational Speaker Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:45:27 +0000 hourly 1 By: Graham K http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/2010/01/explorers-share-inspirations/#comment-2045 Graham K Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:31:38 +0000 http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/?p=3928#comment-2045 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. 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.

]]> By: Steve Blethyn http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/2010/01/explorers-share-inspirations/#comment-2041 Steve Blethyn Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:27:44 +0000 http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/?p=3928#comment-2041 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. 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.

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