When our guest editor, Ant Middleton,

summitted the world’s tallest mountain for his documentary Extreme Everest in 2018, he almost didn’t make it back down again. But it wasn’t just the brutality of the landscape he had to contend with – it was other people. Since a queue of ill-equipped climbers delayed his descent amid a life-threatening snowstorm, he has been critical of those who embark on extreme challenges without due consideration. So, how does he feel about the experience now? This is his advice for aspiring adventurers: “I’ve seen people treat Everest like a theme park. They’ll happily pay £50,000 for the chance to stand at the apex of the world, but this has the side effect of causing them to feel like they can now relinquish personal responsibility. Preparation and knowledge really are everything. “I understand why people seek challenges. In their day-to-day lives, most people rarely get the chance to test their physical and mental limits. We’re like caged animals. But you need to want to do it for more than just the kudos. It’s not about having something you can shout about with your mates. It has to mean more than that. “I’ve never had a bucket list. I just like to test myself. All of those small fears that I’ve faced along the way have made me who I am. Think about what would test you. It doesn’t have to be Everest. Go to Wales, go to the Lake District, find a way to experience an adventure that feels right. Because if something doesn’t work for you, then it’s working against you.”