Jake Meyer - Mountaineer, Public Speaker, Presenter » Uncategorized http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk Global Climbs and Adventures Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:52:22 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc Sad news… http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/08/sad-news/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/08/sad-news/#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2010 14:31:11 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=470
The second death on K2 this year, and still no summits reaffirms the mountain's deadly reputation. Last year there was 1 death and no summits and of course the 2008 season might have had a number of summits, but at a terrible toll - 11 deaths. With friends and collegues from our team last year, back on the mountain this year, I can only pray that they have a safe descent and return from K2, and that there are no more injuries or deaths this season.]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/08/sad-news/feed/ 0 Never too late…. http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/07/never-too-late/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/07/never-too-late/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:59:11 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=465
Ultimately, in the same way that the age range of Everest summiteers stretches from 13 to 78, it shows that you are never too old to try and turn your dreams into a reality. Too often we are made to feel that if we haven't achieved our dreams by a young age, then it's too late. I strongly believe that it's never too late to try something new, or to pursue a dream. As always, your biggest adversary between you and your goals is usually yourself. If you can persuade yourself that something is worth doing, then that's the hardest part. Every journey starts with a single step, and that step could be as simple as waking up one morning and saying 'today's the day!'

I've just receieved an email from a parent in the audience from last night which I think I should share:
Hi Jake
Myself and my three children heard you speak tonight. The
reason I feel moved enough to contact you is that your words were TOTALLY
INSPIRATIONAL to myself and my kiddies. My 14 year old was very impressed and is
planning all sorts of expeditions for the future. My 12 year old is enthused
about joining more sports clubs.  You have had a profound effect on me however -
I've been putting off applying to go to uni for at least ten years, and now
because of your words I am actually going to do it... at the grand age of 38!!!
You have inspired me and I am very grateful. Good luck with your future
endeavours.

You'll never regret the things in life that you do, only the things that you don't do. You also never know what doors will open and what opportunities will appear when you finally make that leap into the unknown. Let's hope that the application all goes smoothly - all the very best of luck!]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/07/never-too-late/feed/ 0 End of term season… http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/07/461/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/07/461/#comments Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:54:10 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=461
I've spent the last few days doing a number of talks at schools at Davenies, Yorkhouse and Hayfield schools, from the M25 to Doncaster. Yesterday for the end of term Speech Day and Prize Giving at Yorkhouse school, I received a standing ovation after my talk. I think that in over 300 talks, it was the first standing ovation I've ever received, and although totally unnecessary, it was much appreciated (albeit a little embarrassing!).

I'm doing another talk at Hedingham School in Essex on Monday evening, and then am speaking at a private party for Vertu/Esquire Magazine on Tuesday in London, where I am part of a panel judging an extreme photograph competition. I've already seen the shortlist of the finalists, and I must admit, there are some amazing photos and it's not going to be a an easy choice!]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/07/461/feed/ 0 Summer Solstice… http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/summer-solstice/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/summer-solstice/#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:51:21 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=458
Back on the bike today for the remainder of my DAS motorbike course. Despite being twice as heavy and four times more powerful than what I was on last week, the bike to day wasn't quite as scary as I was expecting, and I ended up having a fantastic time. The only downside was the heat of the sun in the protective clothing... I felt pretty poached by the end of the day!]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/summer-solstice/feed/ 0 Speaking… http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/speaking/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/speaking/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:11:02 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=451
“I just wanted to let you know how well yesterday went and ask you to pass on once again our thanks to Jake. Although I had high expectations, Jake exceeded them.  We really appreciated how he linked his experience to ours in what came across as a very natural way and the story he had to tell was such a fascinating one that no-one could fail to be enthralled.  Feedback from the group has been extremely positive.”

The title of the talk was 'Making it happen', and I spoke to 210 people from the Indirect Tax department. The talk went really well (from my point of view) and I gave them a few pointers about how to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and therefore how to achieve big things in the future. They were a really great audience and I stayed for an hour or so afterwards chatting to them. Although I find speaking pretty straight-forward now, it still always makes a massive difference when I'm warmly received and the audience are really responsive to what I have to say. Regardless of whether they are class of school children or the executive management board of a major company, a warm and welcoming audience make speaking an absolute pleasure, and very enjoyable from my point of view. To everyone at KPMG, an extra special thank you!]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/speaking/feed/ 0 Esquire… http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/esquire/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/esquire/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:01:51 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=447
Vertu Website
Vertu Ascent 2010
Vertu Ascent 2010
]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/esquire/feed/ 0 4 wheels good, 2 wheels better… http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/4-wheels-good-2-wheels-better/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/4-wheels-good-2-wheels-better/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:42:43 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=444 http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/4-wheels-good-2-wheels-better/feed/ 0 The Blenheim Triathalon http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/the-blenheim-triathalon/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/the-blenheim-triathalon/#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:26:30 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=439
Total time: 1 hr 41 mins

Cost - 2 blisters, 1 chafed nipple and a John Wayne walk...]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/the-blenheim-triathalon/feed/ 1 Last minute plans… http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/last-minute-plans/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/last-minute-plans/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:45:10 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/?p=437
I overheard one couple, who had taken the train to the summit, proclaiming their amazement at another couple having walked up - 'What an achievement to have climbed up Snowdon. You must be so proud!' All said with utter sincerity. It was a wonderful reminder of the fact that you don't have to have climbed Everest or some other monsterous mountain to have accomplished an impressive feat. The magnitude of our endeavours is purerly dependant on our own experience. The value of achievement lies in the achieving.

Slept in the car overnight and then got an early start over Tryfan, the Glyders and Y Garn. Wet, cloudy and miserable... Was going to continue over the rest of the 3000ers, but the claggage got the better of me and I sacked it in. Fair weather climber... never!

All in all, a lovely time in the hills, and probably made all the better that it was a last minute plan. Sitting at home on Sunday evening, bored out of my mind and just threw some kit in the back of the car and left the next morning. More adventures need to be spur of the moment, and have less emphasis and importance placed on them by the rigors of fore-planning.  Doing my first Triathalon on Sunday at Blenheim Palace. Zero preparation. Picking up a bike on Friday (having not ridden one for years). The brand new wet suit had it's first dunk in the pool on Sunday afternoon. Brand new pair of trainers. No training, no prep... probably no chance, but I'll give it my all!]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/06/last-minute-plans/feed/ 0 13 Year old summits Everest http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/05/13-year-old-summits-everest/ http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/05/13-year-old-summits-everest/#comments Sun, 23 May 2010 11:48:08 +0000 Jake http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/05/13-year-old-summits-everest/
Also, great to see that some of the Adventure Peaks team have summited, and my thoughts are also with all of them still on their way up, or on their way down.

When I summited, I was about the 2500th person to make it to the top - 2500 people in 52 years. They expect the 5000th person to have summited in the next day or so. Amazing to see that in the past 5 years the number has doubled!]]> http://www.jakemeyer.co.uk/2010/05/13-year-old-summits-everest/feed/ 0