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One-legged Bedford climber in training for record ascent

One-legged Bedford climber in training for record ascent

BBC News04-08-2025
An adventurer who lost a leg in an accident is preparing to climb one of the highest peaks ever attempted by people with disabilities.Twenty-nine-year-old Luke Tarrant, from Bedford, was in a motorcycle crash in 2024 while travelling solo through Colombia on his way to Antarctica from the US.On 15 August, alongside former professional rugby player Ed Jackson, 36, from Bath, he will attempt to scale a mountain more than 5,000m (16,500ft) high in the ranges of Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia.Mr Tarrant said: "It was not really my thing, climbing mountains before my accident, so now I'm trying to sort my head around doing it with one leg."
"I'd like to think it's risky but not reckless," he laughed. "It just depends whether we're up to it, I think it's possible"The pair expect the climb to take 10 days to reach the summit but have set three weeks aside in Kyrgyzstan for the challenge.They are hoping to raise money for the charity Millimetres 2 Mountains, an out-door focused mental health charity.
Mr Tarrant explained training sessions in the gym are great for cardio preperations but make his prosthetic "awful to wear" for days afterwards.He said: "It's kind of a balancing act between prosthetic wear and fitness, which has been pretty tough."When they reach the top of the mountain they will be allowed to name it, as it has previously never successfully climbed.If this happens the duo will instead allow a local children's charity in Kyrgyzstan to pick a name for the peak.The adventurer said: "I'm not a huge fan of people from foreign countries turning up in other people's lands and just going and being like 'this is called this now'."We'll let them name their own mountain but hopefully we're the ones who climb it first."
His mother had hoped his motorbike crash would be "the end of him doing stupid things" but it has instead motivated him to keep challenging himself.He explained: "Initially after my injury, I thought I want to make sure this this doesn't hold me back and it doesn't mean that I can't complete things I would have done before. "Now I've kind of gone full circle where I'm actually going to try and do things which I would never have done if I hadn't had my injury. "It almost makes the whole thing worth it. It's like I need to try and make the most out of the cards I've been dealt to the point where I actually have a better life than I would have had before the injury."
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These $45 sandals with a 5,000-mile warranty outlasted my Birkenstocks
These $45 sandals with a 5,000-mile warranty outlasted my Birkenstocks

The Guardian

time11 hours ago

  • The Guardian

These $45 sandals with a 5,000-mile warranty outlasted my Birkenstocks

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Anchorage, Alaska city guide: What to do and where to stay in America's last frontier
Anchorage, Alaska city guide: What to do and where to stay in America's last frontier

The Independent

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  • The Independent

Anchorage, Alaska city guide: What to do and where to stay in America's last frontier

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Anchorage, Alaska city guide: What to do and where to stay in the capital of America's last frontier
Anchorage, Alaska city guide: What to do and where to stay in the capital of America's last frontier

The Independent

time2 days ago

  • The Independent

Anchorage, Alaska city guide: What to do and where to stay in the capital of America's last frontier

Described as America 's last frontier, Alaska is often assumed to be inaccessible, vast and mysterious. It can be all of those things, but there is a gateway to untold adventures in Anchorage. The enormous US state may be twice the size of Texas, but it only has a population of under 750,000, and almost 300,000 of those people live in and around Anchorage. Which makes this city where the wild meets the modern a great base for exploring the rest of the state. That is, if you want to leave town. Sure, you can find a wide array of flights, boat trips and tours out of Anchorage, but there is also plenty to do right there. And be prepared: in early summer, it can feel like the sun never sets. What to do Into the wild Flattop Mountain, considered the most-climbed mountain in Alaska, is only 20 minutes away from downtown Anchorage and is ideal for those who pack their hiking boots wherever they go. Set in the enormous Chugach State Park – the third largest state park in the nation – the rest of the nearby landscape is ideal for hiking, biking and wildlife watching. Story of the North If you are hungry for knowledge, try the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. Current short-term exhibitions include "Dog Show', while permanently on show include 'Art of the North' and 'Living our Cultures, Sharing our Heritage: The First Peoples of Alaska', which contains more than 600 Alaska Native cultural heritage pieces. Local heritage Having been open for more than two decades, the Alaskan Native Heritage Center uses exhibits, artist demonstrations, movies and performances to illustrate the life of the Alaskan natives. There are four tours a day. In summer, a jaunt to meet the Ididaride husky dogs in Seward, just over two hours away, is a highlight. The Seavey family – led by three-time Iditarod husky race champion Mitch – puts on tours of their kennel and takes you on a two-mile ride. Not only that, you have the journey there from Anchorage. Seward can be reached by Alaska Railroad, or you can rent a car in town – whichever you choose, the route towards the Kenai Peninsula is beyond impressive, and you would be advised to take a camera with you. At the high end of the scale is The Hotel Captain Cook, one of the 'Historic Hotels of America'. Artefacts in the hotel tell of the voyages of Captain James Cook and you can admire views of the Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains. Historic Anchorage Hotel The three-star Historic Anchorage Hotel offers another step back in time – the staff even tell ghost stories from the property – and it bills itself as the premier boutique hotel in downtown Anchorage. The Lakefront Anchorage The Lakefront Anchorage is situated right beside Lake Hood, which is an Alaska floatplane base. The restaurant, The Fancy Moose, also has a patio that is perfect for sampling a drink while you watch planes take off. Where to eat Ask any local about the place to go, and invariably, they'll tell you to head for Moose's Tooth Pizzeria. It's renowned for Alaska specials, like salmon and reindeer sausage – though the more sedate 'Avalanche' pizza comes recommended – and there's plenty of craft beer. Be prepared to queue, though. For those who want a more chilled-out, traditional pizza vibe and maybe just a single slice, you can't go wrong with one of Uncle Joe's branches. Snow City is a hotspot for brunch or breakfast, while the small, artisanal Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop is operated by a nationally recognised head baker and offers a whole range of baked goodies. Looking for a sweet treat? You can't go wrong with a bit of ice cream, and Wild Scoops has you covered. This micro-creamery specialises in small-batch ice cream with local ingredients. Where to drink For those needing a caffeine fix, try Dark Horse. This charming, family-run operation takes its coffee seriously. Anchorage is home to 12 breweries, and Turnagain Brewing can be found in the old premises of King Street Brewing, which moved a few blocks south. Turnagain's brewery is across three floors, and often has rotating food trucks outside for hungry guests. Craft beer has swept across Anchorage, and another stop-off is 49th State Brewing Co. It has two large decks from which you can see Cook Inlet and Mount Denali on clear days. And if you want that same feel, but wouldn't mind a bit of fresh Alaskan seafood with your pint, try out Glacier Brewhouse. The Williwaw restaurant and bar also has a roof deck, offering fine views; they also have a speakeasy. Where to shop You can try the open-air Anchorage Market, which offers something for everyone. The market, made up of over 200 vendors, is open on Saturdays and Sundays in summer. It's a good bet for Alaskan souvenirs or for fresh produce. Downtown, you can get the ubiquitous mall experience at the 5th Avenue Mall. Don't expect anything artisanal or unexpected, but has all the hits you would expect. If you want something that screams Alaska, you could try the Oomingmak, Musk Ox Producers' Co-operative and their gift shop. It should be your first point of call for hand-knitted items made from musk ox hair. Architectural highlight The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts can be found in downtown Anchorage. While the exterior is impressive, it is the grand auditorium that will take your breath away. Nuts and bolts What currency do I need? US dollars. What language do they speak? English, though there are concerted efforts to save many of the native languages of Alaska. Should I tip? It is customary to tip in the US, with 18–20 per cent standard in restaurants. What's the time difference? GMT-8. What's the average flight time from the UK? Accumulatively, you can spend up to 13 hours in the air, but as there are no direct flights to Anchorage, you will have at least one stopover. How should I get around? You can use the People Mover bus services in town, but due to the spread-out nature of Anchorage, a rental car may be useful. What's the best view? Earthquake Park offers a view over the Knik Arm and Chugach Mountains; however, there are great options all over town. what to do in the instance of encounters with wildlife like bears.

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