I received an email last week from someone in Iran who had come across my website. They wished to share with me a photograph of their country which I have included below for you guys.

It is a scene that brings back some great memories for me personally but is also very much at odds with the view many people have of the country. Yes, there are a couple of large deserts kicking about there but the Alborz and Zagros Mountains in winter are stunning. As far as the eye can see in open valleys there is nothing but snow. An awesome sight!

One of the very reasons that next year I am organising and leading a trekking and climbing excursion in Iran. I am stoked to be heading back and cannot wait. The 2 week journey will divide it's time between the Zagros in the south and Central Alborz in the north, taking on a bunch of amazing peaks. With my friend Mohammad from IRAN MountainZone in charge of logistics in country it is sure to be unforgettable. More information coming out soon!

Enjoy your weekend folks!

I am off for 2 weeks to the other side of Southern France for a spot of book writing (I gotta get that done!) and to film a couple of short clips.

Don't forget to enter the Zeal Optics comp and generally dig life!

It has been a hectic few weeks for me. In between planning and announcing my new expedition project, preparing for the Expedition School, writing more than one article and slaving to finish a book proposal (Friday is my deadline for both articles and proposal!), I have not had a great deal of time to just do nothing or kick back. Or have I?

As I look back in this time of supposed flat out working I note that I have still managed to train twice a week grappling, get in 4 surf sessions and I even managed to get back on the river finally. Mmmm...what was I saying about hard work? The strangest thing is, my productivity (I believe) has gone through the roof. I sit here in my office cum front room surrounded on 2 sides by giant windows, a view of my yard out one and the mountains out the other. So many apparent distractions and yet I am smashing through my work. In London, I had far less to amuse me (not drinking means the appeal of a pub does not excite me so much!) and yet I would go days with a pathetic amount to show for 12 hours in front of my laptop.

Being inundated with work can be daunting. "Putting out fires" is how I think it's described. All this fire fighting catches up with you and exhaustion sets in. Before you know it, you are in trouble. Almost as if you are sinking. Being under the pump can be a great thing but if you do not have an outlet or an escape, you are done for! Luckily I have many, as mentioned above. Getting away from my desk, quite often it would seem, has done me wonders!

I do not even think it has to be mountains, or rivers, or the ocean. A park will do the trick. Hell, a pub will do it, so long as you do not return to your desk too worse for wear! What strategies do you employ? Perhaps knowingly or quite by chance.

Right, I am off for a surf! Kidding! I really got to get these articles and proposal done. It's all about balance!

After a beautiful drive through the mountains we found the site and settled down to watch the action. Just a small event but with the vibe of a much bigger affair. Everyone digging the atmosphere. I only had with me a compact digital but decided to take a quick bit of footage anyway. The below clip I put together in quite a rush just now. Excuse the lacklustre editing and enjoy anyway! C'mon shoulder!!!

The Expedition School is an opportunity for all of you to spend 3 days with me in the adventure playground of the French Pyrenees, learning and putting into practice the skills necessary to undertake your own extreme journey. Activities over the weekend include white-water rafting, mountain trekking, equipment selection clinic, discussion and planning sessions, sponsorship proposal writing, photography and videography class and very importantly a whole lot of fun! The school aims to encourage discussion, exchange of ideas and deliver practical exercises in a relaxed and inspiring environment. However, it is not a holiday camp! Participants are expected to get involved in discussions, share their own experiences, ask questions, help pack the van, sort kit and generally be part of the team. Sounds a bit like an expedition doesn't it?

The event takes place in the adventure playground of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region in the south of France, close to the Spanish border. Nearby towns include Biarritz, San Sebastian, Bayonne, Bordeaux, Pau and Toulouse, making for easy access from the UK and all parts of Europe and the US. Big mountains, fast rivers and sweet surf make this part of the world an ideal base to live adventure. Add in to the mix the famous GR10 trekking path and the closing stages of the Tour de France route and it is difficult to ask for much more in a venue.

Throw in prize give-aways from companies like Zeal Optics and Rab (you can win just by getting involved online!), as well as participant-only deals on Suunto watches and it shapes up to be an awesome event! I am so amped to be putting on the weekend myself, I cannot wait!

For the full run-down on the weekend click here, or you can access the school pages by clicking on the Expedition School banner at the top of the home page. On these pages you will find an overview, FAQs, costs and a full itinerary.

Places are limited on the Expedition School weekend so get in quick! I am stoked to be in a position to host such an event and can guarantee it will be a time to remember, both for the knowledge gained and the fun had.

For enquiries please email mark@markkalch.com OR phone +44 (0)7817 018224

(Yes, I know it's a road again!)