Alan Hinkes, OBE reveals he went to climb the world's highest mountains after participating on an Outward Bound course

Alan Hinkes, OBE, is the first Briton to climb the world's highest mountains. These are the 14 8000m peaks, all of which are in the 'death zone, where human survival rate is measured in hours. They are the most dangerous mountains on the planet. Alan is part of an exclusive club of only 12 people alive who have achieved this feat, which is the same number of people who have stood on the moon. Many have perished attempting this challenge.

Alan began his mountaineering career whilst at Northallerton Grammar School, North Yorkshire. After completing an Outward Bound Mountain Leader course at our Ullswater centre in the 1970's, he progressed to the Alps with ascents of many difficult mountains, including the notorious North Face of the Eiger, eventually graduating to the Himalaya.
 
He currently works as an outdoor equipment technical consultant, writes for magazines such as Trail and lectures on his exploits.  He is an accomplished cameraman (filming 11 documentaries), photographer, motivational speaker, environmentalist and mountain guide. 
 
Alan was awarded the OBE in the 2006 New Year's Honours.  He is an Honorary Citizen of his home town, Northallerton; Yorkshireman of the Year 2005; an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sunderland; Honorary Doctor of the University of York, Honorary Doctor of Professional Studies, University of Teesside and has received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Royal Institute of Navigation and the President’s Award for Outstanding Voluntary Contribution to Water Aid.  He is involved in charitable work for Water Aid, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Mountain Rescue.  He works closely with the British Mountaineering Council.

Alan lives in North Yorkshire and enjoys being in the hills, rock climbing and fellwalking.  You will regularly see him in the Lake District and Yorkshire tramping the fells and moors or clinging to a rock face. His latest challenge is attempting a new record time for climbing all of the highest peaks in the 39 English shire counties which he will carry out at the end of August 2010.

Alan will attempt to complete this challenge in the fastest ever time and will be documenting every element of his expedition through social media, photography and video diaries.

Members of the public will be encouraged to engage with Alan along the way and follow his story as he attempts to achieve his aim in a timeframe never done before. Find out more by visiting - www.pro-trek.co.uk/the-record-attempt

We are delighted that Alan has got back in touch with the Outward Bound Trust as part of our Generations campaign.