“Life’s short. If you want to do it — make it happen, do not make excuses.” Julian Evans

British adventurer and fundraiser, Julian Evans has reached the North and South Poles on foot, completed the Marathon des Sables and has summited some of the world’s most iconic mountains including Mount Everest, Denali and Mont Blanc.

A brand ambassador for The Edmund Hillary Collection, Trustee to the Matt Hampson Foundation and Great Ormond Street Hospital, Julian has raised c£1 million for charity to date.

EcoSki’s Amy Miller Fox talks to Julian about juggling expeditions, fundraising and the environment alongside his day job as Head of Knight Frank’s Healthcare department.

Amy: Julian, how would you describe yourself?

Julian: Ambitious with no ‘off’ button – life is too short.

Amy: With so many expeditions under your belt and more to come, how do you maintain peak fitness while fitting in a day job and family life?

Julian: I get up at 5am to fit in an hour at the gym and then I’m savvy during the day. I take the stairs instead of the elevator, I walk instead of jumping in a taxi.

Amy: How did you get involved with the expeditions and fundraising?

Julian: I ran the Marathon des Sables in 2008 [240km across the Sahara desert] and met a Special Forces guy whose next challenge was walking to the North Pole. And I thought that sounded great. So, I walked to the North Pole and it snowballed from there. My aim is to complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam (summit the highest mountain on each continent and walk to the North and South Poles) which I’m close to accomplishing. Leveraging off the expeditions, I then try to raise sponsorship for the inspirational Matt Hampson Foundation via some amazingly supportive clients and Knight Frank.

Amy: What’s been your favourite expedition to date and why?

Julian: They are all very different to be honest, for example Antarctica is magical and cathartic, but Everest has an addictive and risky edge. Possibly Denali in Alaska was the most satisfying as it’s polar meets altitude – it’s tough.

Amy: As custodians of the planet, now more than ever, we have a responsibility to protect our planet and help it heal. What have you seen on your expeditions that has resonated with you?

Julian: Number one is Everest and the Sherpas stories. Sadly, many of the senior Sherpa will tell you that the Khumbu Valley and other glaciers have retracted due to global warming. You can literally see the sadness in their eyes. That’s the same for the melting ice cap of Kilimanjaro.

Melting at the North Pole is also a worry. Sadly, the open waters around the North Pole ice cap have almost fettered coast to pole expeditions. Several people have died over the last few years trying to attempt the challenge.

Amy: Let’s talk about the importance of technical clothing. What do you look for when you’re planning kit for your expeditions?

Julian: For any expedition, you should do due diligence on the location, weather, guides and your kit. Ultimately, it’s down to you to know what you’re getting yourself into on such extreme trips. It could be the difference between life and death. Technical equipment is key to your survival and you must get the kit most appropriate for the environment as there’s often no second chances.

I think people are more educated and aware of the need to be more responsible and make more environmentally and socially responsible choices. Everyone can do their bit. Personally, I’ve really thought about single use plastic and now I always choose reusable water bottles.

Amy: Is there anything else you consciously do to make a difference environmentally?

Julian: Before departing on an expedition, I always take the food and equipment out of the packaging. It’s important to make sure you leave zero litter on the hill and to carry it down the mountain or back to base camp so it can be recycled or disposed of appropriately. Frankly, there are no excuses for litter.

Amy: Can EcoSki get some insight into your next expedition?

Julian: Yes! Subject to Covid restrictions, we are hoping to retrace Amundsen’s successful South Pole expedition this November. Then, possibly Everest again next year with one or two other expeditions laced in if possible!

It has been great chatting to Julian but I feel I’ve only scratched the surface. He has so many stories to tell and is hugely inspirational. This is the man who bored during lockdown took to the stairwell at work, challenged himself to climb the height of Everest and within a days had raised huge sums of money for charity. For more information check out Julian’s website.