In this conversation, US based climber and relatively new paragliding pilot Nathan Longhurst shares his incredible journey of completing the 100 Peaks Challenge in New Zealand, combining his passion for climbing and flying. He began on 17 November 2024 and ran, rock climbed, ice climbed, bushwhacked, kayaked, cycled and paraglided his way through the list and incredibly- knocked it out in just 103 days. The list has only been completed by one other climber, but that one took many years. Nathan discusses his background in outdoor sports, the transition from climbing to flying, and the planning and preparation that went into his ambitious project. He shares some rather remarkable statistics about his adventure and the lessons learned along the way, emphasizing personal growth and the emotional aspects of such a significant undertaking. He discusses the physical and mental challenges he faced, including injuries, constant hunger, and the need for meticulous planning. Nathan reflects on memorable moments during his climbs, the importance of solo decision-making, and the mental load of evaluating risks. He also shares insights on the creative problem-solving required in unpredictable environments and his aspirations for future adventures. A remarkable adventure, told by a very humble and remarkable adventurer.







Follow Nathan on Instagram to see many incredible photos and remarkable moments from the expedition.











Takeaways







Nathan’s background in outdoor sports shaped his passion for climbing and flying.He found solo climbing to be a more mentally engaging experience.The 100 Peaks Challenge was inspired by a previous trip to New Zealand.Nathan’s approach combined climbing and flying to complete the challenge.He faced significant weather challenges during his journey.Support from his girlfriend was crucial during the project.Nathan experienced post-trip depression after completing the challenge.He managed to fly off over half of the peaks on his list.The journey was emotionally taxing but rewarding.Nathan’s experience highlights the importance of mental health in adventure sports. Nathan experienced significant physical challenges during his project.Hunger was a constant concern, affecting his focus and energy.He enjoyed delicious meat pies as a high-calorie snack.Memorable moments included a blissful climb and flight on Mount Totoko.Planning was obsessive, involving detailed analysis of potential landing spots.Nathan faced injuries, including a bad ankle sprain and a close call with equipment failure.Mental challenges were more taxing than physical ones during the project.Creative problem-solving was essential for navigating unexpected obstacles.The solo nature of the project allowed for clearer decision-making.Nathan is excited about future climbing and flying adventures.







Sound Bites







“I was just immediately hooked”“I was fortunate to have some mentors”“I knew that I wanted to come back...