WIN an Osprey Talon 22 Rucksack worth £135!
To celebrate National Hiking Day, we’re giving away an Osprey Talon 22 daypack in Eclipse Grey to one lucky winner. THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. It’s a neat bit of… read more
Interview: Lucy Shepherd on why we should all be living adventurously
We meet the British explorer to find out how adventure can be a huge catalyst for change Lucy Shepherd is a modern explorer, who was made a Fellow of the… read more
Hammock Camping 101 with Rick Morales
Secret Compass Expedition Leader Rick Morales talks all things sleeping in a hammock Rick Morales is an expedition leader in Panama, who leads Secret Compass Darien Gap expeditions. If there’s… read more
How memorising an Atlas led to a career as an Expedition Leader
Interview with an Paramedic and Expedition Leader with almost two decades of experience Luca Alfatti is qualified as an Advanced Paramedic, he is also an expedition leader here with us… read more
HOW TO THINK LIKE AN EXTREME TV SAFETY ADVISOR
Insights from Will Smith’s Welcome to Earth Series 2 with SC safety advisor Dave Lucas The new Welcome to Earth series launched last week and it’s a pretty big deal.… read more
THE BREATHING SHIELD
There’s perhaps no item of clothing more universally useful in the outdoors than the humble waterproof jacket. Today, a performance shell that works in the harshest conditions won’t come cheap,… read more
THE PRIVILEGE OF NAMING MOUNTAINS
For many it’s the ultimate goal in mountaineering. At the very least, claiming a first ascent provides a minimum of a lifetime worth of bragging and – if you can bear… read more
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO JUNGLE FOOT CARE
from choosing the right boots to techniques for avoiding trench footImmense isolation, off-the-scale humidity, searing heat and an overload of exotic hazards. In no environment is foot care more paramount… read more
MOMENTS LIKE THESE MAKE ALPINISM ADDICTIVE
Upon the unzipping of tents, the serene mix of sublime weather conditions and stillness that comes with a 4am start high above the snow line, hinted at a successful day… read more
BOOTS AND CRAMPONS
Packing the right kit is an essential part of any expedition and using the wrong kit in extreme locations can have sever consequences, putting your safety at risk and jeopardising… read more
THE DARIEN GAP
“ There is definitely a reason Secret Compass runs expeditions not tours. You couldn’t feel further from being a tourist, their expeditions are such genuine experiences. The guides were absolutely 110%… read more
THE TRANSPANAMA THRU-HIKE
Panamanian Rick Morales has done what very few trekkers would even dare to attempt, let alone imagine: mapped out a new hiking trail across the length of his country. As… read more
DESERT FOOTWEAR GUIDE
Blisters are a fact of life on desert expeditions. Even those who ‘had never had one before’ or say ‘I never get blisters’ get them. The rough ground, hot temperatures… read more
EXPEDITION CLOTHING
In this quick video, Secret Compass’s director Tom Bodkin shows you what you need to take with you on an expedition into the jungle across desert or through savannah-styled terrain.
MADE IN MADAGASCAR
The best thing about the expedition for me was seeing parts of the world you would never see unless you hiked there. Only a few people will see the sights… read more
EXPEDITION RUCKSACK ADVICE
Want to buy a new rucksack for your next expedition? In the latest of our expedition kit advice videos, Tom guides you through the different sizes and back systems of… read more
Down in the Darien
Teammate Mark took part in a recent adventure to trek the depths of Panama’s infamous Darien Gap jungle…and returned to tell us the tale. Fresh from the wild, Mark reveals… read more
TREK TRAINING TIPS
You can’t wait for that trip of a lifetime, trekking through inaccessible regions, stunning scenery and crazy cultures. But, your lifestyle is busy and you are struggling for time to… read more
SECRETS OF THE SINAI
expedition snapshot
MY FIRST EXPEDITION
First time Secret Compass teammate Helen had plenty of travel and backpacking experience when she joined the Madagascar Peak-to-Sea team, but had never been on a ‘real expedition’. Here we… read more
Madagascar in May
From its volcanic fields and formations to its jungles, rapids, granite massifs, endemic wildlife, welcoming communities and fascinating culture, it simply offers more bang for your adventure buck than many… read more
Chad’s Heated Heartland
I came here four weeks ago to explore Emi Koussi, the Sahara’s highest mountain, located in the Tibesti massif in the north east of the country. Chad is an old… read more
MURCHISON FALLS
We were waist deep, we six Secret Compass team members, in the brown water of the White Nile, hauling a 14-foot inflatable raft up onto the rocky bank, a couple… read more
The hottest place on earth…
and other facts about Iran’s Lut desert
FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH
Jan Bakker is an experienced expedition leader, adventure photographer and guidebook author. As part of the Secret Compass expedition leader team, Jan has previously led the expedition into the depths… read more
SLEEPING ON EXPEDITIONS
Not sure what to buy on the sleeping bag front for your pending adventures? Expedition expert Tom Bodkin, director of Secret Compass, talks you through the different types of sleeping… read more
EXPEDITION FOOTWEAR
Buying new boots for an expedition? From jungle boots to desert boots and from trekking boots to mountaineering boots, expedition and adventure expert Tom Bodkin (director of Secret Compass) shares… read more
IN IMAGES: NORTH KOREA
Inside the Secret State…
A Weekend in Wales
expedition snapshot
Books on Burma
5 to read before you go
THE JUNGLE BOOKS
read up on Panama’s Darien gap
TO FILM OR NOT TO FILM?
reflections on expedition filming
WANT TO BE AN EXPEDITION LEADER?
follow these tips to get started
IN IMAGES: AFGHANISTAN
expeditions on the Roof of the World
BUT IS IT SAFE?
faraway trips are often safer than you think
PACKRAFTING TIPS
Anyone with a mild, passing interest in the world of adventure will have heard of the ever-affable Alastair Humphreys. Even those living under rocks have encountered him, for he has… read more
LEVISON WOOD ON EXPEDITION PREPARATION
Tips to help you reach your goal
WANT TO BE AN EXPED MEDIC?
how it works at Secret Compass
ADVENTURE TRAVEL FILM FEST
this festival has to be seen to be believed
WILDERNESS GATHERING
a family-friendly celebration of bushcraft, music and open fires