Hi, I’m Marc!

A bit about me…If you couldn’t have guessed, I’m an avid hiker and adventurer, happily going through mid-life in complete denial! I live In a quiet countryside village nestled on the outskirts of London, with my amazing wife Marissa, with 4 kids between us!

If that doesn’t keep me busy enough, you’ll often find me out hiking somewhere.

Hiking is my passion! My oxygen! There’s nothing like getting up at the crack of dawn (or more often than not, in the middle of the night), and packing up my rucksack for the day, and heading out for a new epic adventure! You can’t beat hitting the trail in the crisp morning air, the sky alive in its glorious technicolour, and the sweet sounds of birdsong, all simultaneously playing with your senses! Aah…and breathe!

I’ve always been an adventurer, explorer of new places, hiking whenever I can, but over the past 10 years or so, I’ve taken my hiking life to a whole new level! (That’s mid-life for you!). So what have I been up to you ask?

I’ve completed dozens of ultra challenge events, charity events, and personal ultra challenges, hiking continuously over distances of 42km (marathon), 50km, and 100km! I’m also a Trek Master (TM) from time to time for Action Challenge, who organise and host many events I’ve participated In. The role of a TM is to help other ultra pax at these events to reach their finish line…at what ever distance that might be. It’s incredibly rewarding, and emotional at times, especially when you’ve walked and talked, and motivated others (often through the night) to get them through their personal journey!

What else have I been up to? during Covid19 I thought what can I do to keep myself active, and challenge myself? Oh, it’s amazing what you can do, if you’re just mad enough to even think of these things! - Walking 50km over 2 days in my back garden (yes, the neighbours thought I was mad….and they were right!), ascending Kilimanjaro on my staircase (totally bonkers!), and hiking 50km from midnight to midday through the woods behind my house (spooky!). Once lockdown had lifted a little, I hiked a total distance of 600km In June 2020 (averaging 20km p/day), and I completed many other 50km night hikes just for fun!

I feel blessed to have such beautiful countryside right outside my front door, and I must have walked every mile of my local parks, lakes and surrounding forests!

When I want to do some elevation training I tend to head over to Box Hill, and the surrounding Surrey countryside, as it’s the ideal place to train for many of the events I participate in.

But, what I love most of all, is getting up in the mountains when I can. I’ve climbed many of the highest mountains across the UK, and others around Europe and other parts of the world.

Which brings me nicely to my ultimate achievement to date I completed In 2022 - when I trekked up to Everest Base Camp (EBC) 5,364m! The trip also Included trekking to Gokyo Lakes, via the Cho La Pass Summit 5,420m! As My journey to EBC was such an incredible experience, I’ve written not one but 2 extensive Guides to Everest Base Camp (and Gokyo Lakes). Part 1 can be found here

Plus, if you’d like to see some of the videos I took on my EBC adventure, please visit my Walking in Circles YouTube channel

Stay tuned, as very shortly, 27th March 2025 to be precise, I’ll be heading back to Nepal! This time to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek!

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my blogs and gallery…where I’ll share some of my favourite hikes, and photos I’ve taken on my travels. Plus don’t forget to check out some of the awesome resources I’ve put together for you.

So, If you’re an avid hiker, who like me, likes nothing more than putting on your hiking boots, packing a rucksack, and heading out for your next adventure on the trail! - If that sounds like you, then great! You’ve definitely come to the right place. You’re my kind of people!

Happy Hiking!

Marc