“Life Has Changed in Every Conceivable Way”: 58-Year-Old Record-Holding Mountaineer Malcolm Bass on How a Stroke Slowed His Adventurous Life

In the harmony of life, we often find adventure’s crescendo in the unlikeliest place. For British veteran mountaineer Malcolm Bass, the love of exploration started in the landscapes of Fiji. It is here that, as a toddler, his infinite curiosity forced his parents to tether him to a rope to quell his relentless pursuit of new horizons.

Fast forward to a life shaped by punk music’s essence, the island wanderer transformed into a daring mountaineer. He was drawn by the attraction of snow-draped peaks and the audacity of punk music’s three-cord rebellion. But the journey wasn’t an easy one!

Adventurous mountaineer conquering life’s unexpected slopes

Every climber has life-altering experiences inscribed in the ice and rock; for Malcolm, that experience was climbing ‘The Pumpkin” in the Scottish Highlands. He traversed the hazardous terrain, totally ill-prepared with insufficient equipment. But such was his courage and determination that it did not stop him from moving forward.

But like a steep ascent, life’s journey takes unexpected detours. A major and unexpected stroke changed his story’s trajectory in August 2020. Relegated to the world of round-the-clock care, the once-unrestricted explorer finds comfort and thrill in the ordinary. Climbing a grassy bank, swimming with his wife, and setting off on a recovery journey, with a destination that is all but uncertain.

From scaling the summit of Alaska’s Mountain Hunter to traveling 25 metres without a walking stick, the definition of adventure has changed for the mountaineer. What seemed like mundane and boring activities before have now become part of the adventure. With a decrease in strength every day, his adventures have moved closer to home.

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Life before the stroke

The climber’s journey unfolded not in the shadow of towering mountains but across the North Yorkshire Moors. A humble start that would later blossom into an affinity for uncharted territories. From exploring the underground world of caves to breaking new ground in the mountains of Scotland, he embodied the do-it-yourself spirit, something that he credited to punk music.

He galloped from mastering a Scottish Grade 5, a challenging ice climb, right into the arms of the Himalayas, defying time limits with the sounds of punk music echoing in his soul. He argues that climbing success depends on having a cohesive team, having goals that go beyond reaching the top of a peak, and being miserly with one’s mental energy. These values, refined in the furnace of ice and altitude, served as his guiding lights.

Now, for his undaunted spirit, navigating the unknown territory of an uncertain recovery, where every step is a victory, is the ultimate form of adventure.

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