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Karen Darkes greatest adventures
My greatest adventures by Karen Darke (SIA champion for adventure)
Handcycling has become a central part of Karen’s adventurous life. A former member of the Paralympic team, she competed in two Paralympic Games and one Commonwealth Games. But her passion for the outdoors extends far beyond cycling—kayaking, sit-skiing, surfing, and paddleboarding are all regular features of her adventurous lifestyle.
Here are a few highlights from her incredible journey:
- Handcycled across all seven continents, including epic routes through Tibet, Central Asia, the Himalayas, the Karakoram, the length of Japan, New Zealand, Chile’s Patagonian wilderness, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, the Pacific Coast of the USA (from Canada to Alaska), and Australia’s Snowy Mountains along the Murray River to the Southern Ocean.
- Summited Mount Kilimanjaro and reached Everest Base Camp using an off-road ICE hand trike.
- Sea kayaked in remote and stunning locations such as the coastline from Canada to Alaska, as well as in Patagonia, Corsica, and the Scottish islands.
- Sit-skied across the Greenland icecap and to the ‘Pole of Possibility’ in Antarctica.
- Climbed the iconic 1,000-metre vertical face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.
Karen’s story is proof that with determination, adaptability, and a love of the outdoors, adventure is always possible—no matter the barriers. Check out this great interview with Karen … ‘The strongest adventure athlete you’ve never met’ (Wild Women)
Feeling inspired?
Check out our brand new accessible adventure challenge that is coming to the Peak District this September. Click on the image below to find out more:
Find out more about Karen
If you’re newly paralysed, or just starting to wonder if adventure is for you then check out the top tips from our champion for adventure to get you started:
TIPS FOR EMBRACING ADVENTURE AFTER injury
Visit Karen’s website to hear more about her story and what latest adventures she has planned:
