Record-breaking adventurer takes Westonbirt Lecture Series to new heights

24 November 2023

The Westonbirt Lecture Series climbed new heights as the school welcomed record-breaking adventurer and industrialist, Sir David Hempleman-Adams, to come and inspire members of the local community and sixth form students, ahead of their planned service trip to Nepal. His long list of record-breaking accomplishments, humorous anecdotes, and storytelling skills kept the audience riveted, not knowing which mammoth adventure he would discuss next.

His achievements have included becoming the first person to complete the ‘Explorer’s Grand Slam’ in 1998, which incorporates climbing the highest peak

in seven continents and reaching the North and South geographical and magnetic poles. He was also the first Brit to travel unsupported from the ocean to the top of Antarctica; a trek of over 700 miles and one which climbed 9,000 feet.

Whilst he was at school, Sir David was an avid and passionate Duke of Edinburgh participant completing all three – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – expeditions, propelling his adventurous endeavours from an early age.

Today he thrives in encouraging younger generations to explore as well:

“It is always lovely to come [to Westonbirt School] and see that young energy; it is fantastic and they will all have a wonderful time in the Himalayas. I remember that when I was their age, I wrote to Chris Bonington (the British mountaineer) and said ‘I am big and strong and I wouldn’t mind being one of your Sherpas.’ He very kindly wrote back to me and said “Look, just keep doing your thing and one day you might get the chance’ and that is exactly what happened. Hopefully anybody here will go on and do their own thing, but it is so fantastic that the Duke of Edinburgh is so strong, as that is how I got started. It’s amazing that the school does it.”

Sir David’s first big mountain challenge was Denali, the largest mountain in North America, and he climbed over 20,000 feet in four days. He stated of this climb:

“It was a very silly speed to do it at, because you can get altitude sickness and die from it. The rule of thumb basically is anything over 10,000 feet, you need one day to acclimatize.”

The reaction from the audience was one of awe and admiration from students, staff and alumni alike.

Westonbirt Deputy Head student Chloe said:

“I thought he was really inspirational. It put a different perspective on what you can do in your life and that you don’t have to go down an academic route. You can be adventurous and still be successful.”

Alumna Joy Bell said:

“I thought it was absolutely fantastic. It was very natural and he had many wide experiences and he made it all sound very easy. I was fascinated to find out about it.”

Throughout the evening Sir David’s inspirational stories did not end as he continued to tell the audience of his recent expedition to soar new heights and make history in a hot air balloon. So far, his expeditions have claimed him the titles of oldest person to cross the Atlantic in an open basket hydrogen balloon and the first person to fly a balloon within 8 miles of the North Pole.

David said his favourite quote, which helped him to complete his solo Antarctica mission, was from Margaret Thatcher:

“It’s easy to be a starter, but are you a finisher too?”

Headmistress Natasha Dangerfield said of the evening:

“It was brilliant to hear all that he had to say about his adventures but I think what stuck with me most is the fact that whatever adventure he was undertaking, he always stopped to reflect about how he could do that better if he did it another time. I think taking that message away from everything has been the most important one.”