Incredibly, two of our long-standing clients, Clive and Jennifer Darley, have recently published a mountaineering book, ‘Timeless Treks’, which provides fascinating accounts of mountain expeditions that the couple undertook during their 7th and 8th decades – proving that age is just a number and not a barrier, “Age should not weary nor the years condemn. It is hoped that this might be a reassurance that ambition and adventure is not just the prerogative of the young.” Clive Darley.

Clive and Jennifer are kindly donating all proceeds from the book to ‘Community Action Nepal’, to help them to continue their work building schools and hospitals in the Khumbu Himalaya.

This illustrated book is the culmination of over 50 years of experience in organising, leading or participating in expeditions to mountainous regions across the world (see notes on author). Its main objective is to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to continue to seek out the positive advantages that immersion in a culture of adventure and challenge can bring. It provides insights that furnish imagination and ambition for the younger walker and inspiration for the more experienced.

Timeless Treks contains a selection of contrasting experiences which contain interesting, amusing, poignant and sometimes profound reflections that all who journey into wild places will recognise and understand. The style of writing is inevitably subjective and anecdotal, providing a good armchair read for those wishing to plan future adventures or for those wishing to relive previous experiences. It includes relevant reference maps and over 140 photographs. Broader geographical, geological, historical and political insights are woven into the accounts to provide context.

The book will be on sale at Waterstones and other book retailers in the coming weeks. From 12th October, we will have some copies for sale from our office reception for £16.95 if you would like to grab yourself a copy.

Some notes on the authors:

"Clive Darley was formerly Headmaster of Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. He retired early to pursue his mountaineering ambitions between fulfilling various roles as education consultant and Project Manager at the Universities of Cumbria and Lancaster, finally retiring at the age of 75. He has been involved in the organisation and leadership of a large number of expeditions and participated in many more to all parts of the world, including the Himalayas, Karakorum, Hindu Kush, Iceland, Spitzbergen, Norway and New Zealand. For many years, he led Alpine trekking expeditions to the main European mountain ranges. Since ‘retirement’, the couple have trekked several times a year both in the UK and abroad as well as continuing to engage in fell-walking in Cumbria and Scotland.

He had a hip resurfaced in 1999 and a cardiac pacemaker implanted in 1997.

“Jennifer Darley retired from a senior position at Hutton Grammar School near Preston in 1997. Like her husband, she was heavily involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and was a keen sportswoman, playing hockey and squash. Despite suffering from vertigo, she has accompanied Clive on all the treks documented. They attended the same school, graduated from the same University and have been married for 55 years. They have lived in South Lakes since 1997. With a combined age of 156, both remain firm believers in retaining a sense of adventure through their advancing years.”