A Lineage of Peaks: My Genetic Compass

The Pioneers: Phyllis and Don Munday (The Coast Range, BC)

The name Munday is synonymous with the exploration of the Canadian wilderness. My great-great aunt and uncle, Phyllis and Don Munday, were the definitive pioneers of the Coast Range in British Columbia.

In an era before satellite maps and modern gear, they were the first to identify and attempt Mount Waddington—then known as "The Mystery Mountain." Between 1925 and 1936, they led dozens of expeditions into the heart of the Coast Range, documenting glaciers and mapping peaks that had never been seen by human eyes. Phyllis, in particular, was a trailblazer; she was a founding member of the Alpine Club of Canada and proved that the "thin air" was no place for gender barriers. Their legacy wasn’t just about the summits they reached, but the scientific and geographic knowledge they brought back to the world.

The Elite: Mark McGowan (Elite British Climbing)

While the Mundays were mapping the vast Canadian wilderness, my maternal side was excelling in the high-pressure, high-technicality world of British rock climbing. My cousin, Mark McGowan, rose to become one of the UK’s preeminent climbers during a transformative era for the sport.

Mark represented the pinnacle of technical mastery. While the Mundays focused on endurance and exploration, Mark’s world was one of extreme exposure and the psychological grit required for high-grade traditional and sport climbing. His influence on the UK climbing scene provided a different kind of inspiration: the pursuit of perfection and the discipline required to master the most difficult rock faces in the country.

The Convergence: Exploration Meets Technicality

I see my own career as the intersection of these two distinct lineages. My 8,000-meter expeditions require the pioneering endurance and surveyor’s patience of Don and Phyllis, but they also demand the technical precision and mental toughness that Mark championed on the crags of the UK.

Whether I am navigating the "Three Steps" on the North Ridge of Everest or leading a team on a 5,000 metre peak, I feel the weight and the strength of this heritage. It is a reminder that the mountains aren't just a place to visit—they are a place where my family has always belonged.

A Legacy of Inspiration

This history is the foundational "why" behind Inspire Alpine. Excellence in the mountains is a goal, but its true value lies in how it is shared. Just as the Mundays shared their maps and Mark shared his technical breakthroughs, I am committed to sharing the lessons from high altitude to help the next generation overcome their own obstacles and lift themselves to greater heights.

We don’t just climb because it's there; we climb because it’s who we are.