Charlie Allman-Brown commissioned into the Irish Guards in 2006. He served with his Battalion in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and as a junior staff officer in Ramallah, Palestine. He left the Army in 2013 and decided to take a year out to travel.
As part of this trip he undertook a solo trek across Nepal on the Great Himalayan Trail, from Kanchenjunga in the east to Darchula in the west. It took him 84 days to complete. This traverse consisted of taking the two highest passes in the Himalayan range, the Sherapini and West Col, both measuring 6100m above sea level.
In his own words:
I wanted to do the walk because I wanted to seek out some solitude and adventure. I wanted to achieve something great and unique, and not something that many people have achieved. To date less than 100 people have completed the Great Himalayan Trail. Having spent 8.5 years in the Army, I wanted to take some time for myself to reflect on what I had done, and to decide on what course to take in the future. I had travelled to Nepal after returning from Iraq in 2007. I fell in love with the country and its people back then and always wanted to return. When I was walking I learned a great deal about myself, as one naturally spends a lot of time in one’s head. I learned what was important to me, had shaped me up to this point and what would ultimately decide the course and mind set I would approach my future with. I learned that I could achieve what I set out to achieve if I remained focus and determined to succeed. On Many occasions I nearly quit! Time, money, weather and injury nearly prevented me from completing the walk. But By applying the training and mind-set I had learned in the Army I was able to overcome these temptations. ‘The Devil Drives’ as Sir Richard Burton said, and that was true for me. I will treasure this experience not only for the sense of achievement I felt, but mostly for the privilege of being able to live and travel through the great Himalaya and to know its peoples. I ultimately experienced moments of true peace of mind, and learned what you can achieve when you set your mind to it.
On returning to the UK Charlie has started employment at KPMG.
Trekking the Great Himalaya Trail
After a ten year career in the Irish Guards, Captain Charlie Allman-Brown embarks on what can only be described as one of the greatest challenges anyone has ever undertaken.
From a man who has served on three successive tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, the account of Charlie’s 84 day solo trek across Nepal is both breath-taking and inspiring, and is a testament to the bravery and ambition of our young officers in the Armed Forces today.
In the same month that the Nepalese earthquake struck, Charlie’s account takes you with him on every step of his journey that leaves his audience spellbound. From the hospitality and humility of the Nepalese people, to the snow storms of the Himalayan mountains, It is a tale of mental endurance and self-discovery that breaks the boundaries amongst his audience about what can be achieved in our everyday lives and within the lives of other people.
Nick Powell, Director, Contour ConsultancyCharlie brings to life the adventure most of us of only read about. An inspiring speaker making you realise that even when things appear to be going badly anything is possible through thoughtful perseverance. An enjoyable, engaging and motivating speaker.
Andy Prior, Director, Be Travel Wise Ltd
A dynamic and versatile speaker, Josh is able to draw upon his experience and expertise to give inf…