Most memorable adventures of 2023

When looking back at the year and all the adventures had, it can be quite hard to decide which ones are the most favourite. There have been some big challenges with mental and physical struggles, group hikes filled with friendship and laughter and some spent with just my partner. I have chosen 7 hikes/ 3 adventures in total for this collection and have decided to categorise them as: The Hardest, The Coolest, The Dumbest. Each of these hikes could fit into each of these categories, but there is a very good reason why they have been awarded these specific categories. I have had many wonderful adventures here in the UK, however all three of the selected adventures for this collection are based outside of the UK. And each, within its own right are unforgettable.1. The Hardest:
Mount Toubkal, North Africa's Highest peak standing at 4167m.This was an adventure that I thought I was ready for, I had no doubt in my mind that I could do it as I had been exposed to high altitude before, even higher than this. However, Mt. Toubkal took me by surprise. It has been mentally and physically the most challenging thing I have EVER done, it was much harder than a marathon, at least for me. There were many factors why this was the case and due to the challenges during the climb it was even more rewarding to reach the top. 2. The Coolest:
Thru-hiking in the Italian pre-Alps. A three day hiking adventure in the beautiful mountain trails by Lake Como. The terrain, the views, the trails, the refuges, the sunsets, the food it all took our breaths away. Spending 3 days and 2 night hiking across some insane chained routes and staying at secluded mountain refuges was incredible. It just made me want to thru-hike some longer distances. We carried everything we needed in our backpacks, the weather was on our side and the trails were beautiful. 3. The Dumbest:
Solo hiking a Volcano in the Amazon.This was a semi spontaneous adventure, with being in the area and deciding what to do a volcano caught our eye and we made a plan. We were underprepared, underestimated the altitude and stayed overnight at a refuge on a volcano alone in the Amazon. It sounds really cool right? Well. it was, but it was also very stupid due to how naively we took the hike, considering that we had not been exposed to such terrain before, but what an adventure it was indeed.*All routes have more in depth writeups found in the comment section where you can read in more details of the adventures had.