Alan Hinkes

Alan Hinkes is the first Briton to climb the world's highest mountains, part of an exclusive club of only 12 people alive who have achieved this feat. He 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 currently works as an outdoor equipment technical consultant, writes for magazines such as Trail and lectures on his exploits. He is an accomplished cameraman and documentary-maker, photographer, motivational speaker, environmentalist and mountain guide.

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 2005; 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 for Water Aid, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Mountain Rescue. He works closely with the British Mountaineering Council.

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 or clinging to a rock face.