Always One for an Adventure
Tony grew up in suburban south Dublin, gazing out of his bedroom window at the Wicklow and Dublin mountains. That view sparked a lifelong passion for exploration. Thanks to generous walking and climbing leaders, he was soon venturing into those very mountains. From there, his adventures took him even further afield, across Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, always with a trusty rucksack in tow, chasing new heights and vistas.
Everest 1993: The Irish Expedition
Tony’s climbing adventures reached a pinnacle in 1993 when he was part of the first successful Irish expedition to Mount Everest. Ascending from the northern side, the team’s journey through Nepal and Tibet was filled with challenges. Tony reached an impressive height of 8500m and was the last to descend that year, leaving his mark on one of the world’s greatest peaks.
Skiing & Ski Mountaineering
In the early days, Tony discovered his love for skiing, honing his skills in both downhill and cross-country techniques. He even tried his hand at traversing the Wicklow Mountains in snow with downhill skis! While living in Sheffield, he spent evenings perfecting his moves on a dry slope before heading back to the Alps annually with friends to play in the mountains.
The Avalanche
But adventure isn’t without its risks. In January 2000, while skiing down from a winter climbing attempt in the French Alps, Tony was caught in a massive avalanche. Nearly suffocated and sustaining severe injuries to his leg, he was rescued by helicopter. Doctors didn’t believe he’d ever walk unaided again, but that only fuelled his determination.
Against the odds, Tony set his sights on Snowdon in North Wales, tackling the mountain on crutches. Though bad weather stopped him three-quarters of the way up, the experience reignited his passion for the mountains. By 2005, Tony was walking unaided and ready to take on the world once more.
Return to Fitness: The Round-the-World Journey
Our family round-the-world trip in 2005, which included New Zealand, came at the perfect time. Winter in New Zealand was a chance for Tony to return to skiing. A visit to his consultant in London confirmed that his leg was strong enough to handle the slopes—news that gave him the green light to dive back into adventure. We embarked on incredible walks and skiing in nearly every resort across New Zealand’s North and South Islands, fuelling our shared love for travel.
Ultra Running
Skiing wasn’t enough. Tony’s recovery took a dramatic turn when he picked up running, initially to prove a point. What started as a 5k parkrun grew into 10k, then half-marathons, and finally marathons. His once-injured leg carried him through events in London, Paris, Berlin, Chicago, and Toronto, along with countless parkruns worldwide.
In 2017, Tony decided to go bigger, tackling the Cape Town Ultra Marathon, a gruelling 60km race over Table Mountain and through vineyards. This taste for ultra events led him back to the Alps, where he took on the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc CCC race in 2018. The 100km route, with nearly 7,000m of ascent, took him full circle—back to where his avalanche nightmare began. Finishing with just one second to spare, the race symbolised his incredible journey of resilience.
Since then, Tony has competed in numerous ultra challenges across the UK, Ireland, and Oman, showing that no challenge is too great.
Discovering Nordic Walking
Tony’s ultra-running adventures also introduced him to Nordic walking. During the Cape Town Ultra Marathon, he noticed other competitors running more efficiently with Nordic poles. That piqued his curiosity, and upon returning home, we both enrolled in a Nordic walking course in Oxford. It was a game-changer.
Armed with Nordic walking poles, we’ve taken on hikes across the world, including the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand, the Kerry Camino in Ireland, and several trails in the Lake District, Scotland, and Wales. We’ve also enjoyed parkruns with our Nordic poles in places as far-flung as Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the USA.
In 2023 Nordic walking took us to the stunning Tatra mountains in Slovakia where we trained to be Master Trainers, enabling us to train new instructors.
Stunning Places for Events
Tony’s story of recovery and determination has led us to breathtaking destinations that we might never have considered. Whether it’s a mountain trail, an ultra-marathon, or a peaceful park walk, these events have shaped our travels and connected us with amazing landscapes. From the rugged Alps to the vineyards of South Africa, Tony’s adventures continue to inspire us, reminding us that no matter the setback, there’s always a new horizon to explore.
His journey is a testament to perseverance and the power of movement, showing that the world is full of beautiful places to discover—one step, one event, one adventure at a time.
