An exciting challenge to climb the height of Everest without ever leaving London
The Mayor of London and Ordnance Survey support Daniel Raven-Ellison’s Step Up Mountain Challenge 8–17 September
Daniel, from Ealing, has been dubbed the “guerrilla geographer” and his journey up the most famous, iconic and most used stair wells in London is about to become a route to inspire children to be more inquisitive, adventurous and fitter in the City.
Daniel Raven-Ellison and his Misson:Explore project has been supported by Ordnance Survey since winning in their annual innovation event, which challenges the brightest geographical minds to come up with radical solutions to many issues in the last five years (GeoVation Challenge – launches their new challenge this month www.geovation.org.uk).
Daniel says: “You don’t have to go to Everest or a jungle to have an adventure, I’m passionate about showing children how adventure can start at home, in the garden and at school.”
London Mayor Boris Johnson has thrown his weight behind Daniel’s vision: “By toiling the height of Everest up the steps of some of London's tallest buildings, Daniel Raven-Ellison is helping to make young people more inquisitive about their surroundings while encouraging them to lead healthier and more active lives. I wish him the best of luck."
Robert Andrews, Ordnance Survey's Head of Communications, adds: “We are delighted how OS data is being used to both help plan the route and confirm height information for this exciting challenge. We have a range of great apps, digital information and paper maps which play an important role in helping children and parents discover our wonderful urban and rural landscapes. We truly believe that this challenge can help inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.”
To put children at the forefront, as they mirror Dan’s task by recreating the Step Up Challenge in their school or even at home, OS has devised a calculator so they can convert steps climbed in to height gained: www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/stepupmountain
ENDS
Notes to editors
Daniel’s background:
“Geography is about curiosity, exploration, and discovery. It gives you the power to see places in new ways, search for your own answers, challenge things as they are, and make sense of the world”, Daniel Raven-Ellison, named National Geographic Emerging Explorer.
Daniel is a founder of Mission:Explore, an Ordnance Survey award winning series of books, websites and events enthusing kids to be adventurous and inquisitive in the world around them. He’s an alternative adventurer, parent and Londoner. A former geography teacher, Daniel's work focuses on inspiring people to explore and see the world in new ways. He is worried about the decline in the number of children playing outdoors and is constantly innovating to find creative ways to get more children learning and being active outside.
British Land has helped support Dan’s venture making many of their London sites accessible to the adventurer.
www.geovation.org.uk/step-up-mountain-challenge/
www.geovation.org.uk/
http://ravenellison.com/
www.missionexplore.net/missions
Twitter: @DanRavenEllison
Head of Corporate Communications
