Alastair Humphreys is a born adventurer; he has a long list of experiences that include spending 4 years cycling 46,000 miles around the world, pack rafting across Iceland and running the Marathon des Sables (and finishing it with a broken foot). He was National Geographic Adventurer of the Year 2012 and is also renowned for his concept of microadventures.
Microadventures are simple challenges or expeditions which are quick and easy to organise, not too far away, and most importantly cheap.
Whilst Alastair was at University he cycled from Pakistan to China, Land’s End to John O’Groats, Turkey to Italy, Mexico to Panama and across South America. Although we might not be ambitious enough to try all of these, Alastair shares his tips for microadventures in an exclusive interview with Her Campus.
Do you have any advice for how students can plan their own microadventures?
Microadventures are perfect for students. The thing that stops most people having adventures is time, and students have lots of spare time. (If you don’t think that you have then trust me, as an ex student, that you will never ever again have so much spare time! Enjoy it!) Anyway… microadventures do not need expensive gear. They only need a bit of time, and someone with the spark to turn an idea into action.
What has been your favourite microadventure?
Swimming down the Thames surprised me: I loved the slowness of swimming and the way the world felt much more wild in the water and down at eye level. I liked building the wild hut too – it was nice to do something with my own hands.
What is your favourite place in the world?
What a hard question! Perhaps Alaska. Perhaps Iceland. Maybe it is just a pub with all my friends.
As well as being an adventurer, Alastair is also a motivational speaker, author, blogger, filmmaker and photographer. Find his website and blogs at www.alastairhumphreys.com and a preview of his film Into the Empty Quarter here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe5r9DxUwyU.
Just remember…
“Adventure is only a state of mind. Adventure is stretching yourself; mentally, physically or culturally. If that is true, then adventure is all around us, at all times.” – Alastair Humphreys
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