Dave looks back to where it all began for Adventure Peaks

Adventure Peaks will soon be celebrating its 20th year of helping its clients to ‘LIVE THE DREAM.’ A celebration that may see my team and myself, raise a glass ‘together’ from my office at home and our staff in all of their homes.

Looking back 20 years, it seems so ironic that no sooner had I taken the plunge to walk away from a successful, much loved job – to try to turn my own passion into a career; guiding and planning expeditions, that Britain was struck down by Foot and Mouth.

What had I done! It was December and my first clients (and first income) were due for winter mountaineering and climbing courses in Scotland.

Flexibility and original thinking have always been my strengths and I decided to look at things differently… just because one door closes…

I think this way of thinking, still comes through in a number of our current trips; who else goes to places like Kamchatka, Siberia or Tajikistan, to find peaks rarely climbed.

So, looking back I can actually ‘thank’ Foot and Mouth for our early ice-climbing courses in Sierra Nevada, Poland and Iceland, along with being one of the very first to operate winter ascents of Toubkal in Morocco (where many have since followed) Yep, these are the places I took our first clients, instead of Scotland.

So now, as we approach our 20th year as a successfully established, highly respected, worldwide company, we are in a worldwide lock down and here I sit once again rethinking and re-inventing.
This time I am NOT alone. Having such an amazing team here at Adventure Peaks, with a vast collective of diverse knowledge and experience, only ups the ante and with their help and through our shared ideas, has come a renewed excitement for the times ahead.

So how do we persuade, maybe entice, or ask our loyal clients and those nervous newcomers, to book their 2021 adventure with Adventure Peaks now, in this current climate, supporting us in what will be our twentieth year.

We think some of the benefits are:

•  A trip to look forward to on the other side of this lock down.
•  Motivation to use this time to get fitter, to have a goal.
•  Time perhaps to drum up support for a challenge and help boost a charity in these hard times?

Forward bookings are always great for a business to move forward on, but more importantly help get ahead, with more time to know the client, structure the experience and the team.

So here are a few of our offers to you, to get your bored feet into gear right now.
Your freedom awaits, be ready!

It would only be right to start with my favourite destination; the Tien Shan, the mountain range on which Adventure Peaks grew its roots.

I travelled there for five years – prior to starting Adventure Peaks, to climb unclimbed peaks, whilst also attempting my first Himalayan 7000m peak; Khan Tengri.

Khan Tengri is within a truly unspoiled mountain region, one that has not really moved on in over 25 years. It is a beautiful pyramidal peak that is surrounded by hundreds of 5000m and 6000m peaks that are approached via a wild and wonderful journey. Today the truck is the same that takes you to Maidadir and on to the Russian MIL8 Helicopter that whisks you up to Base Camp.

Back in the day I sat drinking vodka with the local Kyrgyz herdsmen, negotiating horses to transport out gear and food purchased from the local bazar, to arrive at the snout of the glacier (from where we’d shuttle gear day after day, upwards!)

Fresh Kyrgyz Bread remains long in my memory – the best in the world, far from the honey which was the worst – my mate had been to the Bazaar and purchased a jar of yellowish engine oil by mistake!

So down to business and todays offers for the amazing Tien Shan – there’s something for everyone!

Leader Stu Peacock, our chief logistics Manager, who originally climbed with me as a client on our first AP Khan Tengri expedition.

Stu is a hugely experienced, talented and very strong High Altitude Mountaineer and Expedition Leader.

At 7010m, Khan Tengri is without doubt the most splendid of summits amongst the jagged peaks of the Tien Shan. With its elegant ridges and superb pyramidal summit, it is also regarded as one of the most beautiful peaks in the world, alongside the stunning Alpamayo, Ama Dablam and the Matterhorn.

Live a mountaineer’s true dream; summit a virgin unclimbed peak in a remote and beautiful region of Kyrgyzstan.

The Kyrgyz Unclimbed Peaks expedition is an exceptional destination to visit, and was introduced in 2001 by Adventure Peaks Director, Dave Pritt. It has now seen many highly successful expeditions with over 45 new peaks climbed. The mountains in this remote area of Asia are Himalayan in stature, with the highest peak reaching 7443m. They form the rigid backbone between Kyrgyzstan and China. During our adventure, we will attempt to summit up to three of the yet unclimbed peaks, at altitudes of between 5200-6200m.

Khan Tengri Base Camp Trek

Leader Dave Pritt – I’ve never re-walked my original route so here is my chance in 2021. A rugged glacial trek up the third longest glacier in the world, so please join me!

Leader Dave Pritt – An Alpine Training Course in the shadow of Khan Tengri, learn the skills to climb your first 5000m peak, or just do it for the sheer pleasure of being in this incredible region. The courses cover the following essential alpine and expedition skills:

•  Use of Ice Axe and Crampons
• Glacial Travel
• Crevasse Rescue
• Travelling on fixed lines
• Rappelling/Abseiling
• Building High Altitude Camps
• Food issues at altitude
• Cooking and boiling water at High Altitude
• Medical & Health issues
• Equipment for High Altitude

The course is ideal for regular mountain walkers or climbers who want to broaden their experience under the guidance of our expert leaders and instructors. No technical skills are required but you will need a good level of fitness.