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BENEATH THE BRIM WITH
Oliver Foran
Mountaineer & Adventurer
From sea level to the summit of Mount Everest in just 50 days, Oliver Foran knows a thing or two about going further. The Australian adventurer and mountaineer cycled across India before continuing on foot towards the world’s highest peak, combining endurance, exploration and mountaineering in one extraordinary journey.
But for Oliver, the summit is only part of the adventure. With ambitions to climb the Seven Summits from sea level, he is redefining what it means to explore under your own power, one step, pedal and mountain at a time.
The Mindset Behind The Mountain
WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO MOUNTAINEERING AND HIGH-ALTITUDE ADVENTURE?
It started with the allure of discovering more about myself through struggle. The physical and mental toughness required to climb a high-altitude mountain really attracted me. I wanted to test what I was capable of and see what was underneath the hood. Once I started, I kept coming back because the big mountains will always test you. No matter how much experience you gain, they have a way of keeping you humble and reminding you that there is always more to learn.
YOU'RE WORKING TOWARDS CLIMBING THE SEVEN SUMMITS FROM SEA LEVEL. WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO THESE HUGE MULTI-STAGE ENDURANCE CHALLENGES?
For me, one of the coolest parts is travelling from one environment into another under your own power.
You experience different cultures, meet people you never would have otherwise met and find yourself in situations you could never really plan for. Over a long expedition, you also learn a huge amount about yourself.
Sometimes the hardest decision is simply deciding to take another step, and on these expeditions you have to keep making that decision day after day, sometimes for months. You learn a lot about who you are in those moments.
YOUR EVEREST JOURNEY TOOK YOU FROM SEA LEVEL, ACROSS INDIA BY BIKE AND THEN ON FOOT TO THE SUMMIT. WHAT MAKES COMBINING CYCLING, TREKKING AND MOUNTAINEERING SO COMPELLING TO YOU?
A big part of it is wanting to see what I’m capable of, but there is also just the allure of an incredible adventure.
Climbing a mountain is challenging enough, but over time I started to realise that the journey to the mountain could be just as rewarding as standing on the summit. Travelling through different countries, landscapes and communities under your own power makes the whole experience feel like a massive adventure, and then you get to climb a mountain as the final crescendo. It’s absolutely epic.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES OF CLIMBING AT ALTITUDE THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT EXPECT?
Outside of the obvious lack of oxygen and the effects of altitude, something people might not realise is how little sleep you can get.
On my summit push on Everest, I didn’t sleep for three days. By the time I got back down after summitting, I was completely delirious. The lack of sleep just amplifies everything else that is happening physically and mentally and makes every decision that little bit harder.
The Right Gear For The Journey
IF YOU COULD ONLY PACK FIVE THINGS FOR YOUR NEXT MOUNTAINEERING EXPEDITION, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
Aside from the obvious clothing and equipment that you need to climb in these environments, my five would be Prussik cords, SPF 50+ lip balm, sunscreen, my GPS transmitter and a can of Coke. You would not believe how good a can of Coke tastes at altitude, haha.
WHAT PIECE OF EXPEDITION GEAR HAS PROVEN MOST VALUABLE TO YOU ON A SERIOUS CLIMB?
Prussik cords. They have gotten me out of some pretty sticky situations in the past. I’d never climb without one on my harness.
Adventure With Purpose
YOU UNDERTOOK YOUR EVEREST JOURNEY IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH. HOW HAS THAT PURPOSE SHAPED THE WAY YOU APPROACH YOUR ADVENTURES?
It is really important to me that my adventures stand for something and can be used to do some good in the world.
Youth mental health is very close to my heart. I struggled with my own mental health when I was younger after losing my Mum, so I know how lonely and difficult those periods of life can feel.
I want these adventures to show people, particularly young people going through a hard time, that there can still be an incredible amount of life ahead of you. Sometimes you don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to keep stepping forwards.
SHOP NEW ARRIVALS
FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
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NEXT TRAVELLER FERN
Sale price$340.00
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NEXT TRAVELLER MOOSE
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NEXT TRAVELLER SAND
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