DISABLED EXPLORER MARTIN HEWITT SUMMITS MOUNT VINSON AFTER A 50-DAY TREK TO THE SOUTH POLE
Successfully climbing the highest peak in Antarctica, just days after reaching the South Pole, marks the penultimate step in Hewitt’s mission to become the first disabled person to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.
● Hewitt, along with record-breaking polar explorer Louis Rudd (Director of Expeditions at Shackleton), successfully summited Mount Vinson (4,892m) in 3 days
● Just days before, Hewitt and Rudd reached the South Pole after skiing over 650km in 50 days, overcoming adverse weather and injury along the way
● Reaching the South Pole and climbing Mount Vinson is the penultimate phase of the AGS (Adaptive Grand Slam) – Hewitt’s mission to climb the highest peak on every continent and to reach both poles
● Hewitt is taking on the AGS to inspire others with life-long injuries and disabilities to achieve their potential
● Hewitt sustained a life-changing injury during military service with the Parachute Regiment, resulting in paralysis of his right arm
(January 14, 2022 – Union Glacier, Antarctica):
Martin Hewitt, founder of accessible exploring charity Adaptive Grand Slam (AGS), and Louis Rudd MBE, Director of Expeditions at Shackleton, have successfully summited Mount Vinson - the highest peak in Antarctica - following a 50-day unsupported and unassisted trek to the South Pole. Now that he’s ascended Mount Vinson (standing at 4,892m) and reached the South Pole, Hewitt is just one summit away from achieving his goal of becoming the first person with a disability to complete the Adaptive Grand Slam – an adaptation of the infamous Explorers Grand Slam.
The Adaptive Grand Slam has so far seen Hewitt and a team of disabled adventurers overcome adversity to summit the tallest peaks on every continent and trek to both Poles, with the aim of inspiring others with life-long injuries and disabilities to achieve their potential. Hewitt has been fundraising for the AGS Foundation, which was established to select, train, develop and empower disabled teams to tackle extreme expeditions and challenges, including Mount Everest, supported by professional expedition and challenge leaders.
On this penultimate AGS challenge, Hewitt and Rudd initially set off to reach the South Pole from the land edge of Antarctica - a total distance of 1,000km unsupported and unassisted. While trekking and dragging a 95kg pulk, Hewitt suffered a debilitating achilles tendon injury, which forced the pair to alter their original plan and seek medical attention at Union Glacier. Overcoming adversity and injury, Hewitt and Rudd resumed their challenge, trekking to the Pole from the ‘Last Degree’ - the 60 nautical miles that mark the last latitude of distance to the South Pole from 89° South. In total, the pair skied more than 650 km in 50 days.
During the Antarctica endeavour, Hewitt was supported by British Expedition apparel and travel brand, Shackleton. To accomplish the gruelling challenge and withstand one of the coldest climates on Earth, the team used Shackleton’s Expedition Pulk Suit, specifically designed to protect them from temperatures that routinely reach -40°.
The Adaptive Antarctica Expedition is also supported by Olympian Homes, Round Hill Capital, TSP Ventures and Blesma, the Limbless Veterans charity that Martin is a member of. The mission aims to raise funds for the AGS Foundation to enable others with a registered disability to take part in their own extreme challenge supported by professional expedition leaders, in order to help members of the disabled community regain confidence, independence and meaningful occupation.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Adaptive Grand Slam
The Adaptive Grand Slam group exists to train and enable disabled adventurers to take on some of the most extreme expeditions and testing challenges on the planet and inspire others with life-long injuries and disabilities to achieve their goals. If you’d like to support the AGS foundation, please follow this link https://www.adaptivegrandslam.com/donate
Shackleton
Shackleton designs and develops performance apparel for people living and working in the world’s extremes. Driven by exploration and innovation, our company is built on the life and values of polar titan Sir Ernest Shackleton and exists to inspire, prepare and equip people for the challenge. We design in London and work with the highest quality manufacturers in the UK, Italy and around the world. Fur-free and RDS-compliant, we are committed to continual improvement of our sustainability standards.
Olympian Homes
Olympian Homes was formed 26 years ago and has a history of mixed use development including speculative residential, retail, hotel, student accommodation and built-to-rent residential accommodation. It has developed successful partnerships with a number of blue chip partners including Marks and Spencer, Balfour Beatty, Travelodge, Brookfield and now the Goldman Sachs and Wellcome Trust-owned IQ Students.
Round Hill Capital
Round Hill Capital is a leading global specialist real estate investment, development and asset management firm. Since inception in 2002, Round Hill Capital has acquired and repositioned for long-term institutional ownership over 135,000 residential units and student housing beds. Round Hill Capital is a responsible landlord of assets offering housing to a range of occupants, from students through to senior citizens. Round Hill Capital has an established track record of positive returns and invests in and asset manages real estate on behalf of some of the world’s leading institutions and private investors. Further information on Round Hill Capital is available at www.roundhillcapital.com
TSP Ventures
TSP Ventures is an environmental technology venture firm. We support environmental and climate tech start-ups and early-stage businesses with capital, connections, coaching and advice. Our core belief is that businesses must serve the long-term well-being of people and of the Earth, and we strongly believe that having a noble purpose and making money should not be viewed as mutually exclusive.