Two month climbing expedition to East Africa.

After some initial rock training in Hells Canyon (Kenyan Rift Valley) , the team of four attempted the direct route on the North Face of Mt Kenya after ascending unsupported via the Chogoria route. Exhaustion and altitude both took their toll and they failed to reach the summit. A successful climb of Kilimanjaro followed.

1988

'Bicycle Basecamp Tour' Himalayas

In an expedition conceived by Kev Oliver, the team of five aimed to cycle between the basecamps of all 14 8000m peaks. The three month trip turned into quite an epic but Dom succeeded in reaching 11 of the world's greatest mountains. The picture on the right is taken at Kalar Patar with Ama Dablam in the background.

1989

Bolivia and Peru

A joint mountaineering expedition mounted by Imperial College and Cambridge University to Peru and Bolivia. The team tried to climb Ancohuma (but got the wrong mountain!) before making ascents of Illimani, Sajama and Patacaya and Parinacota. The picture on the right is taken just below the 6438m summit of Nevado Illimani. The team also experimented with square parachutes to make some descents (this was before paragliding was invented). The results were not successful.

1990

British Army sponsored expedition to East and Central Africa

After an ascent of Mt Elgon on the Ugandan border, the team climbed Mt Kenya. An extension of the expedition then went to the Ruwenzoris (Mountains of the Moon) to ascend Mt Stanley, the third highest peak in Africa. The approach to Stanley is extremely arduous but it's worth the effort. The mountains are like nowhere else on Earth.

1991

Iceland Circumnavigation

After two months camped in Assynt (Northern Scotland) Dom made a circumnaviation of Iceland by mountain bike. A month of dirt roads, vicious headwinds and lots of dust! The cycling is superb but you have to prepare for some long days and little shelter from the elements. Superb scenery, especially for those that like waterfalls. The picture on the right is of Gullfoss, one of the largest in Iceland.

1992

Alpine Summer

The Chamonix valley has become home from home over the last twenty years. Both Everest expeditions used the area for training, not just for climbing, but all aspects of winter mountaineering, ropework, snowholing and of course crevasse rescue. 1992 was the first visit there and too poor to afford the huts - or even tents - the only solution was to bivvy or snowhole on all climbs. All good training!

1993

Morocco and the Atlas Mountains

Dom Faulkner, together with Kev Oliver and Chris Owen (later of Everestmax) spent a month in Morocco mountain biking their way through the Atlas Mountains en route to Mt Toubkal in the high Atlas.

1994

India. Ladakh and Zanskar valleys

Before this area closed for a while due to political unrest it offered wonderful mountain biking and a chanc eto explore an area of India that is close to Tibet in atmosphere. The picture shows the gompa of Lamayuru in the Ladakh valley.

1997

California - John Muir Trail

The John Muir trail has to be one of the world's greatest walks. It runs through the high Sierra from Yosemite National Park for 212 miles south to Mt Whitney. It is an area of true wilderness, with wonderful peaks and rivers to explore. Attempting the route solo, as Dom did, is a severe undertaking and not to be approached lightly. There is only one point to resupply and the walk typically takes 24 days with a lot of up and down. To complicate matters further, the bears are ever present and merely hanging onto your food is a challenge in itself.

1998

Denver to Grand Canyon cycling

This has to be the cycling equivalent of the John Muir Trail. By meandering the route slightly it is possible to visit at least ten national parks and some of the most impressive scenery in the world. Allow two months to enjoy tis journey to the full. One of the highlights is Arches National Park and Delicate Arch (pictured)

1999

Everest 2000 training

A six month period prior to the Everest 2000 trip allowed for full time training. Numerous trips to Scotland and the Alps culminated in an ascent of Lobuje in the Nepalese Khumbu. This was part of the Joint Service Himalayan Dragon expedition. The team on the right are making a pit to test the slope for avalanche stability. Fitness training was also undertaken on the Corsican Haute route, a world famous walk.

2000

Everest 2000 and Annapurna trekking.

The monsoon is not the best time to trek in Nepal as the picture on the right shows. Leeches are in abundance and will happily latch onto you, even through your clothing. This picture was taken in August but by late September the rains have normally cleared and the wonderful views return.

2001

Cycle to Romania, Mt Kenya and Tasmania

A packed year of which the highlight was cycling overland to Romania with 30 students in tow. After another foray to Mt Kenya, Xmas was spent hiking the Tasmanian overland route in pristine wilderness.

2002

Cycling in New Zealand

There are few better places to cycle than New Zealand. A trip along North Island's Coromandel peninsula is hard to beat. As is the Abel Tasman at the north end of the South Island. This is a mecca for sea kayaking expeditions and a welcome change from the saddle.

2003

Cycling Banff to Vancouver

A brilliant route, especially if you like lakes and forests. For the best part of a thousand miles this carves its way down to the coast amid some spectacular scenery. A short ferry ride then heads over to Vancouver Island where there is even more wilderness begging to be explored.

2004

Expedition to California and the start of EVERESTMAX

After a tough trip in the Rockies with 12 students EVERESTMAX training began in earnest in the French Alps. None of those on this initial trip joined the team eventually but it was a brilliant month all the same.

2005

2006