Macs Adventure Stage 2024

Welcome to the Macs Adventure Stage, kindly presented by Macs Adventure.

The MACS Adventure Stage hosts brand athletes, explorers andadventurers. Fun conversations with super stars hosted by ourpresenters Becki Vale, Rachael Crewesmith, and George Lonsdale!

Times and talks subject to change. Updates will be on display at Basecamp Info Desk.

Friday 22 November

9.45 Stu SkinnerHarnessing the Dragon: Unlocking the Power of Mental HealthStu Skinner's challenges with Bipolar Disorder and suicidal depression have unlocked a powerful motivation – propelling him on extraordinary journeys, making him a better leader, and leading him to pioneer Mental Health First Aid and the Head Outside Awards. Stu shows how mental health challenges can fuel resilience, courage, and authentic connection on every journey.

10.45 Adam RajaFrom Prison to PeaksPresented by CraghoppersA journey of resilience and transformation. After a period of incarceration, Adam discovered a new purpose in the outdoors, finding redemption in nature and adventure. He now inspires others to use the outdoors to heal and empower, embodying the spirit of second chances and self-reinvention.

11.30 Coinneach MacLeodExploring the Land of Giants: Hiking in Norway with The Hebridean BakerPresented by Macs AdventureJoin The Hebridean Baker as he recounts his thrilling trek through Jotunheimen National Park, featuring epic peaks, fjords, and unforgettable adventures.

12.15 Tia CrouchOur Precious PeatlandsPresented by CraghoppersJoin us to explore about the importance of peatlands and the damange they face. Learn what the National Trust is doing to restore, conserve, and manage peatlands, with aims to combat climate change, promote nature recovery, and protect these precious areas for generations to come.

13.00 Sophie Power & Adriana BrownleeBeat YesterdayPresented by GarminIt was impossible until it wasn’t. Stories of new World Records and paving the way for Women to embrace their own adventures. 

13.45 Jon Moses from Right to RoamKnow Your Rights While TrespassingPresented by PatagoniaJoin this workshop from the Right to Roam campaign to learn about your rights while accessing private land and pick up some top tips for managing confrontations. We’ll cover the law of trespass, the esoteric rules on foraging, when exclusions should be respected, and how to react when challenged.

14.30 Steph Wetherell, Emily Williams, Rebecca Dawson & Kumbi KariwoAll the Ideas, None of the GearHear from plus size community group Every Body Outdoors as they share their experiences of struggling to adventure without access to the right kit, the progress that they’ve made in the past few years, and what still needs to change within the outdoor industry to make it accessible for all bodies.

15.15 Stef Amato, Luke Douglas, & Tom ReynoldsUltra Curious?Presented by adidas TERREXJoin the team behind the Lakes Divide (LD) for an introduction to social ultra-running and journeying further on foot. LD is not a race; there is no clock, no numbers to pin on, and speciality feed stops are prioritised over energy gels and stats. The LD trio met through bikepacking and have brought this passion for slow adventure to their trail running events.

16.00 Mountain RescueStay Safe in the Outdoors: Essential Outdoor TipsPresented by Helly HansenJoin the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue and their extraordinary rescue dogs for an essential workshop on outdoor safety and survival. Alongside practical tips on navigation, weather assessment, and emergency response, you'll get an up-close look at the incredible skills of mountain rescue dogs, learning how they locate and assist lost or injured hikers.

16.45 Dom Bush & Nancy BurdittSandscale Haws – A Home on the SandSandscale Haws, sitting alongside the Duddon estuary, is a National Nature Reserve cared for and managed by the National Trust. Protected for the 600 plus flowering plants and wildlife that call it home and loved by the thousands of people who visit it, it has become their patch of wild – their home on the sand. We will talk about how and why we made the film and what we hope will be a legacy to this special site.

17.30 Tom HodgkinBob Graham Round – Run and FlyTom Hodgkin explores a new style of hybrid mountain adventure on the Bob Graham Round. The challenge: complete the round in traditional fashion, standing atop all 42 summits carrying all flying equipment. The twist: use the paraglider where possible to transition between summits.

18.15 Jarlath AndersonBuilding a Brand​​Presented by InselbergJoin us for an exclusive Q&A session with Jarlath Anderson, founder of Inselberg, as he shares the journey of building a technical mountaineering brand from humble beginnings in a milking shed in New Zealand, to its breakthrough partnership supplying guides summiting Everest. Anderson will discuss the challenges faced, the innovations developed, and the dedication required to craft equipment trusted by elite climbers worldwide.

Saturday 23 November

10.00 Dom Bush & Refugees RockClimbing Together: Resilience and Community at Refugees RockGet an inside look at Finding Freedom: Stories from Refugees Rock with the filmmakers themselves ahead of the showing. They'll share the stories, challenges, and unexpected moments from capturing the journeys of three refugees who found a new community through climbing. 

11.00Rebecca ColesProject Alpine SpiritPresented by Montane.Rebecca Coles will discuss her progress on Project Alpine Spirit, which aims to be the first all-female team to climb all 4000m peaks in the Alps.

11.45 Ash Bhardwaj, Luke-Grenfell Shaw, Kelda Wood, & Eve ThomsonWhy We TravelPresented by KathmanduJoin author Ash Bhardwaj on stage as he delves into the motivations behind exploration with a panel of seasoned adventurers. His debut book, Why We Travel: A Journey Into Human Motivation, blends memoir, travelogue, and research, and was recently awarded Best Travel Book of 2024 by The Independent.

12.45 Abbie BarnesThe Power of the WILDPresented by Macs AdventuresAbbie vulnerably shares their story as a hiker and biker, exploring mental health, chronic pain, identity, and empowering growth through nature and adventure.

13.30 Elise Downing & Nic HardyKomoot Workshop: Sustainable Adventures and Secret TrailsPresented by komootJoin the komoot workshop and learn how to plan your adventures using public transport and discover trails less trodden. In this live demo, learn how to find the coolest hidden trails, how to plan and edit your adventures, and get tips from seasoned pros on how you can make your adventures more environmentally friendly.

14.15 Jenny Tough & John SummertonVoyagesPresented by Gestalten and SidetrackedJoin Sidetracked’s Chief Editor John Summerton and adventurer / deputy editor Jenny Tough to hear about their new book Voyages. In Voyages - Sidetracked Beyond, we look at some of the best and longest adventures to test the human spirit. From running 1,000km across a mountain range to bikepacking across a continent, the longest journeys have the power to change us in ways that we can scarcely imagine at the start.

15.15 Trash Free TrailsWhat’s At The Heart of the ‘Litter Problem’? - Overcoming Widespread Disconnection from NatureAt Trash Free Trails we’ve spent the last 5 years working to fill the knowledge gap on how much single-use pollution is out there, and what impact it’s having. Now we’ve equipped and enabled our community to be proactive ‘Citizen Scientists’ for their trails, we’re going back to the source and directing all our energy on tackling the challenge at the heart of the litter problem; disconnection from nature. 

16.00 India Fallowfield, Ben Kent, & Chris MooreGreenland Granite - Adventures, First Ascents and a whole lot of DhalA not entirely culinary based insight into the highs and lows, emotions and frustrations, planning and practicalities of climbing, living and exploring in the breathtakingly beautiful west coast of Greenland.

17.00 Kesang Ball, Emmanuel Ojo, Toni-Ann Murphy, & Paris BethelPioneering A New OutdoorsPresented by OUTO (Opening Up the Outdoors)Historically, the mainstream outdoor industry in Europe has portrayed a limited vision of the outdoors and who is welcome, contributing to social, environmental, and cultural barriers for people of the global majority. Today, that vision is being expanded by a new generation of leaders and communities who are redefining where, how, and by whom the outdoors is engaged with. Our panellists will discuss this movement and how they are empowering people of the global majority, and beyond, to connect with the outdoors on their own terms. Followed by the OUTO Mixer!

Sunday 19 November

09.45 100 Stars at Stanage: Screening & ConversationJoin us for the premiere of 100 Stars at Stanage, an inspiring documentary capturing a 100-star climbing challenge at Stanage Edge in support of Climbers Against Cancer. Featuring a Q&A with the climbers, filmmaker and a CAC trustee, as they discuss the physical demands, motivating factors, and the role of community in supporting charities.

10.45 Deon BarrettFinding True NorthThrough the True North Project, Deon is driven to inspire the next generation to find their purpose and embrace the transformative power of adventure. He will share his journey, the challenges of creating equal access to outdoor learning, and how experiences in nature build resilience and foster diversity.

11.30 Milan TamangJugal Himal – Last Treasure of the Himalayan FrontierDiscover the inspiration and personal journey behind thia brand new book, which delves into the climbing history of the Jugal Himal range, its scenic beauty, cultural significance, and the environmental challenges it faces, including the impact of global warming.

12.30 Sean ConwayThe Endurance Grand SlamPresented by Terra NovaSean Conway set out to achieve ultra-endurance records for first, longest, fastest AND most. 105 Iron Man competitions in 105 days, the first to swim the length of Britain, the fastest unsupported cycle across Europe and a 4200 mile continuous triathlon later, Sean will take his audience on the journey, from miserable school portrait photographer, to world record holder.

13.15 Lucy ShepherdAdventure is a Mindset, Not a MomentPresented by ACLIMAFollowing the success of her Channel 4 TV series ‘Secret Amazon: Into the Wild’ join explorer Lucy Shepherd as she breaks down what it means to be an explorer in the modern world and how we can all harness an explorer’s mindset.

14.00 Eben Muse & Steve CharlesFor Peat’s Sake: How BMC Conservation Volunteers are Repairing Footpaths and Fighting the Climate CrisisPresented by BMCWhy are BMC volunteers knocking over cairns? Why do we want everyone to care for moss and "for peat’s sake"? And what is really so distressing about moorland rhododendrons? BMC’s Eben Muse talks to conservation volunteer Steve Charles about all the BMC's footpath repair and conservation efforts this year and how you can get involved. 

14.45 Oliver SmithModern Pilgrimage in Britain with Oliver SmithPresented by Macs AdventureAward winning travel journalist and author Oliver Smith explores how features of the landscape become sacred, from sea caves to holy mountains, via churches and standing stones.

15.30 Hannah CoxProject Salt Run : The Hedge that Time ForgotIn 1869 a 4,030km Inland Customs Line ran across the length of India, to enforce a salt tax. Within seven years, a famine engulfed India and between six and ten million people starved to death due to poor British food policies like this. Hannah plans to run the entire length in just 100 days, to raise £1,000,000 for communities impacted by climate change. 

16.15 Sarah Gerrish & Ellis BlandBob Graham UncutPresented by VågaSarah Gerrish and Ellis Bland take to the stage to shine a light on their first hand accounts of what it takes to run 66 miles across 42 peaks. Join them as they look through mud-tinted spectacles at the finer details and lesser known highlights of what it takes to complete this historical round.

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