The Debrief: Madagascar

TALKING LEMURS, FIST BUMPS AND SIBLING RIVALRY WITH TEAM MATE, RICHARD WALKER

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 set up in the Darien Gap

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

Treating jungle feet

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

The day's first rays of light make it over the mountain tops to grace the backs of the expedition team members ascending to the summit of Mt. Halgurd

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

Panama Exped in action

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

Sinai Desert landscape

SECRETS OF THE SINAI

expedition snapshot

Summit in Madagascar

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 Emi Koussi volcanoes and mountains with trek group

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

Raft Uganda's Murchison Falls image with Glen Downton

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

Rab sleeping bag image Image © ukbackpacker.wordpress.com

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

Footwear for expeditions

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

Amazing scenery of North Korean national park

IN IMAGES: NORTH KOREA

Inside the Secret State…

Rhiannon in the Brecons Beacons abseiling down the waterfall

A Weekend in Wales

expedition snapshot

Burma ridgeline trek with cloud engulfing the mountain

Books on Burma

5 to read before you go

THE JUNGLE BOOKS

read up on Panama’s Darien gap

Expedition filming

TO FILM OR NOT TO FILM?

reflections on expedition filming

Kurdistan Secret Compass expedition leader Hetty

WANT TO BE AN EXPEDITION LEADER?

follow these tips to get started

Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor

IN IMAGES: AFGHANISTAN

expeditions on the Roof of the World

But is it safe? (c) Dain Zaffke Ethiopia Giro

BUT IS IT SAFE?

faraway trips are often safer than you think

Al Humphreys packrafting in Iceland

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 Walking the Nile

LEVISON WOOD ON EXPEDITION PREPARATION

Tips to help you reach your goal

Secret Compass medics on expedition in training

WANT TO BE AN EXPED MEDIC?

how it works at Secret Compass

Adventure Travel Film Festival

ADVENTURE TRAVEL FILM FEST

this festival has to be seen to be believed

Wilderness Gathering Festival Image

WILDERNESS GATHERING

a family-friendly celebration of bushcraft, music and open fires