Talk: Adrian Hayes’ Epic Survival on Kanchenjunga

Description

On 10 May 2025, Adrian Hayes achieved the formidable feat of summiting Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain. But his climb in the Himalayas turned into an extraordinary survival ordeal when an injury during descent left him with only one usable hand, no oxygen and no fluids – forcing a gruelling solo 36-hour journey through the treacherous ‘death zone.’ Battling high-altitude cerebral edema, hallucinations and severe frostbite, Hayes’ resilience and determination shine through this remarkable tale.

A former Gurkha officer who also served two years in the Special Forces, Hayes is an adventurer whose achievements include trekking to both Poles, summiting Everest and K2, crossing Greenland and the Arabian Desert, and setting two Guinness World Records: the fastest time to complete the Three Poles Challenge (reaching the North Pole, South Pole, and summiting Everest) in 19 months and three days, and the longest unsupported snowkiting journey in the Arctic covering 3,120 kilometres. 

He also works as a global keynote speaker and professional leadership and executive coach, delivering speeches, seminars and workshops worldwide. He has also presented three documentaries: The Greenland Quest for the National Geographic Channel, and Footsteps of Thesiger and In Inner Mongolia for the Discovery Channel.

The talk takes place on 9 September at 19:30.