Beyond the Summit - Alan Hinkes OBE on courage, commitment and the lessons learned on the way up.

In this episode of Outward Bound and Me, host Dylan Carroll sits down with Alan Hinkes OBE - mountaineering icon, author, and proud Outward Bound alumnus. More than 50 years on from his Mountain Leadership Course at Ullswater, Alan reflects on the early experiences that shaped his life in the hills, from growing up in North Yorkshire to discovering the pull of wild places, bad weather and the challenge of finding your own way.

Alan is the first Briton to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000 metre peaks. But in this conversation, the summit is only part of the story. He shares the near-death descent from Kangchenjunga, the mountain he climbed to complete the set, and explains why getting back to base camp matters more than reaching the top. Along the way, he talks about fear, focus, family, and why the British hills still feel like “old friends.”

"You’ve just got to start something."

To order a personalised copy of Alan’s book, 8,000 Metres: Climbing the World’s Highest Mountains, please email Dylan at [e-mail]

Creators and Guests

Host

Dylan Carroll

Dylan Carroll is the Head of Partnerships at The Outward Bound Trust, leading the Corporate, Trusts & Foundations, Alumni and Legacy teams. Following a career in sales and marketing working across Europe, he now has 20 years fundraising leadership experience, working previously at Barnardo’s, as a consultant, and chairing the Institute of Fundraising. Dylan believes in the power of storytelling to showcase the impact an Outward Bound experience can have on individuals at a pivotal time in their lives, and how Outward Bound pedagogy has influenced countless futures, career, and life choices. He hopes that through this podcast, individual stories of resilience, failure and success, adventure and fun, will be shared with a wider audience, so that people will think on their own connection to the charity, the outdoors and nature, and possibly their own lives and autobiography, and the impact they have on others. The stories in this podcast are individual, but contribute to a collective 85 year tapestry of a charity that has had a lasting impact on many lives.

Guest

Alan Hinkes OBE

lan Hinkes is the first Briton to climb the world's highest mountains. These are the 14, 8000m peaks, all of which are in the 'death zone', where human survival rate is measured in hours. They are the most dangerous mountains on the planet. Alan is part of an exclusive club of only 12 people alive who have achieved this feat, which is the same number of people who have stood on the moon. Many have perished attempting this challenge. Alan began his mountaineering career whilst at Northallerton Grammar School, North Yorkshire. He progressed to the Alps with ascents of many difficult mountains, including the notorious North Face of the Eiger, eventually graduating to the Himalaya. He works as an outdoor equipment technical consultant, writes for magazines and lectures on his exploits. He is an accomplished cameraman (filming 11 documentaries), photographer, author, motivational speaker, environmentalist, and mountain guide. His book “8000 Metres, Climbing the World's Highest Mountains”, won TGO Awards Outdoor Book of the Year. Alan was awarded the OBE in the 2006 New Year's Honours. He is an Honorary Citizen of his home town, Northallerton; Yorkshireman of the Year; an Honorary Fellow of the University of Sunderland; Honorary Doctor of the University of York, Honorary Doctor of Professional Studies, University of Teesside and has received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Royal Institute of Navigation and the President’s Award for Outstanding Voluntary Contribution to Water Aid. He is involved in charitable work including: Water Aid, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, British Red Cross, Mountain Rescue and The Outward Bound Trust, where one of its groups is named in his honour. Alan lives in North Yorkshire and enjoys being in the hills, rock climbing and fellwalking. You will regularly see him in the Lake District and Yorkshire tramping the fells and moors, clinging to a rock face or climbing a frozen waterfall.

What is Outward Bound and Me?

Outward Bound & Me is a fortnightly podcast where host Dylan Carroll speaks with Outward Bound alumni from across the decades. Each episode delves into powerful stories of life before, during, and after their time on course—from personal breakthroughs to hilarious moments in the wild. Whether you’re a former participant, outdoor enthusiast, or simply curious about how adventure shapes lives, this podcast offers inspiration, reflection, and a deeper look into the legacy of Outward Bound since 1941.