Ben

Prior to working at Swoop, I was a teacher with a passion for travel and the outdoors. After several fun ‘micro-adventures’ outdoors, I had a yearning to do something a little longer. In 2017, I left my job as a teacher and hiked 5,000 miles over the next year in three beautiful continents.

I walked the length of the Pyrenees following the Haute Route, the length of New Zealand following Te Araroa, and the Mexican border to the Canadian border following the Pacific Crest Trail.

The amazing people I met along the way, along with the spectacular scenery, made me fall completely in love with trekking and the outdoors. I joined Swoop so that I can help other people get cracking with their own adventures.

Trekking long distance helped me to learn a great deal. It taught me that the world truly is a beautiful place, and that the more remote and rugged, the more that beauty is brought into focus.

The people I met along the way, both my fellow trekkers and the wonderful locals, were the kindest and most supportive people you could imagine. I also learnt how far a very ordinary person can push their body and keep smiling!