Meet the incredible Adaptive Grand Slam team

After Martin Hewitt was left partially paralysed from a Taliban to the chest he made the decision: to attempt the most arduous and dangerous challenge on the face of the Earth, the Grand Slam. A treacherous challenge that involves summiting the highest peak on each of the seven continents, as well walking unsupported to both the North and South Poles. 

The Beginnings.

Accompanied by Prince Harry, and surrounded by a media fanfare, Martin and the team first made it to the North Pole four years ago. That would have been impressive enough, but for this Blesma Member, sticking a flag into a remote bit of Planet Earth kick-started a much more ambitious goal – to stick more flags into even more remote places.

Having already ticked the USA’s Mount McKinley off the list in 2013, and after scaling Mount Elbrus in Russia and Africa’s Kilmanjaro last year, as well as that trek to the North Pole, Martin plans to scale Mount Aconcagua in Argentina later this year, and Everest and the Carsetensz Pyramid on the Australian continent in 2016. After that he plans to trek to the South Pole before summiting Antarctica’s Mount Vinson to the complete the challenge in 2017.

Injured in Afghanistan.

It’s fair to say that it’s been a long and arduous journey for Martin – quite literally – since his injury in 2007. Having commissioned into the Paras as an officer in 2004, his regiment, 3 Para, was the first to deploy to Helmand Province during the Afghan conflict.

"As soon as I commissioned, we were on a war footing. I loved my first tour and redeployed twice. It was on that third tour that I was shot. We were looking to take out some Taliban commanders and were in the process of attacking a heavily fortified position. I was hit by machine gun fire – the bullet caught me above my body armour and severed my brachial artery, instantly paralysing my right arm. I thought I’d lost it and remember looking around for it, then I saw it was still attached to my body, but I couldn’t make it move."

More than a dozen operations later and Martin finally accepted that he would never regain much movement in his arm. “I was naïve at first. I thought that if I thrashed myself in the gym I’d be back out in Afghanistan in a few months. When I realised that wasn’t going to be the case, I struggled mentally – I wasn’t in a good place and could have easily gone down a path of decline”

Then was when, like many Blesma Members, Martin turned to sport. "I needed a focus and I was asked to get involved in a project for adaptive sport for injured Service men, which went on to become Battle Back"

What is The Explorers Grand Slam?

• Mount Everest, Asia, 8,848M. The team's first attempt was abandoned in 2012 due to serious threats from avalanches. A second expedition is slated for 2015.
• Mount Aconcaglia, South America, 6,961M. The team will attempt to scale the Argentine peak in November 2015. With an atmosphere of only 40 per cent that at sea level, altitude is a real risk.
• Mount Mckinley, USA, 6,194M. The highest mountain in North America was conquered by Martin as part of a six-man team in May 2013. Each team member had to lug a 30lb rucksack and 200lb sled, battling wind speeds of up to 60mph.
• Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa, 5,895M. Located in Tanzania, Killi's 5,895 peak was reached after nine days of climbing in November 2014.
• Mount Elbrus, Europe, 5,642M. Located in Russia and summited by the team in June 2014. Some argue that Elbrus is actually in Asia, making Mount Blanc Europe's highest mountain - so the team climbed that too! 
• Mount Vinson, Antarctica, 4,892M. After walking to the South Pole, Martin and co will tackle Antarctica highest peak, situated one kilometre north of the South Pole. With an attempt billed for February 2017, success would make Martin the first disabled man to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.
• Carstenz Pyramid, Australia, 4,884M. Also known as Puncak Jaya. It's a five-day hike through the jungle just to reach base camp. Temperatures average 0.5C, the peak is extremely technical. The team will attempt it in April 2016
• The Geographic North Pole. Martin's first completed mission in April 2011. A 190 mile, 13 day slog with, and, in aid of, Walking With The Wounded. 
• The Geographic South Pole. The team will make their attempt in December 2016, in the summer, when the sun will be continuously above the horizon. The South Pole's climate is one of the coldest on Earth.  

Mission Possible

"I wanted to take guys in rehab on the exped to show what disabled soldiers can achieve if they're given the opportunity and are offered training that focuses on a particular challenge."

Interested in taking part or finding out more? www.adaptivegrandslam.com