Thomas Palmer, 29 and from London, has set himself the unthinkable challenge of climbing Colombia’s 10 highest mountains, a feat that has never been completed until now. His adventure is being followed closely and documented by Red Bull.
Despite having no prior climbing experience, Thomas has defied all odds by passing the half-way mark. Having already scaled 23,000m – twice the height of an airplane cruising altitude and the equivalent of three Mount Everest summits – his achievements have not been a walk in the park.
Thomas has surpassed what he once believed were his mental and physical limitations, and has faced altitude sickness, freezing weather and physical exhaustion- even “having to be dragged up a mountain by rope.”
He was inspired by Ross Edgley’s record-breaking 1,780-mile Great British Swim, which taught him how the human body is capable of so much more than you’d think possible. Thomas worked as a cameraman documenting Ross Edgley’s circumnavigation of the British Isles.
Speaking about getting to the half-way mark, Thomas said:
“It is an emotional moment as it has taken a lot of work to get here. However, that quickly fizzles away when you hear what then lies ahead of you as things get harder, more serious and more dangerous. There were a few tears, given my mental history, it was just knowing that every step I take now, is a step away from where I was.”
“I’m doing this to inspire other people and to encourage them to overcome limited beliefs – but it is a very personal goal too. It’s to prove that I can push myself where I haven’t been able to in the past.”
In his most recent vlog post on the Red Bull website, Episode 4 sees Thomas approach the half-way mark, highlighting the dangers he’s been forced to endure.
To watch the entirety of his adventure, head to RedBull.co.uk/adventure
