In a bold new chapter for inclusive adventure, quadriplegic mountaineer and TV Presenter Ed Jackson along with amputee and disability advocate Luke Tarrant are set to attempt the highest first ascent ever undertaken by people with disabilities. The expedition will take them deep into the remote mountain ranges of Kyrgyzstan, aiming to summit a previously unclimbed 5,000m+ peak where no human has ever stood.
Titled “First Ascent”, this world-first challenge isn’t just about reaching the top – it’s about rewriting the rules of who gets to explore, and proving that with the right mindset, innovation, and support, anything is possible.
“This is about planting a flag in the ground for accessible adventure,” says Ed Jackson, a former professional rugby player turned mountaineer following a life-changing spinal cord injury. “True exploration is still out there – and it belongs to everyone.”
A Mission With Purpose
This expedition is more than a summit attempt:
- Access: Both Ed & Luke will use custom-adapted equipment, tested in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. The goal is to help drive innovation in the outdoor industry and make mountaineering more inclusive for people with a range of physical impairments.
- Education: With 20% of the global population living with a disability, the team will share honest, unfiltered stories from the mountain to shed light on the lived experiences of disability – visible and invisible – and to inspire others to embrace adventure.
- Science: The team will be tracking their biostatistics during the expedition to understand more about how different disabilities effect the individual in these environments.
- Legacy: A successful ascent will mean the opportunity to name the mountain, leaving a permanent mark in mountaineering history and a symbol of possibility for future generations.
Real-Time Storytelling
The journey will be broadcast in real time through satellite uplinks and social media, offering audiences around the world a front-row seat to the expedition as it unfolds. A professional film crew will document the challenge before, during, and after, creating high-impact content for digital, broadcast, and print media.
Fundraising
Ed and Luke are partnering with Inigo, the Lloyd’s market specialist insurer. The partnership consists of sponsorship, as well as providing the expedition with Whoop bands to track their data and performance throughout the climb. This data will be used post-expedition to analyse and highlight the differences between able-bodied and disabled climbers; it should underscore the substantial additional effort required for each part of the climb and the body’s ability to recover as well as inform future insights for those approaching similar challenges.
Additionally, the team will be fundraising for Millimetres 2 Mountains, the charity co-founded by Jackson to support others overcoming adversity through adventure.
“We’re not just climbing a mountain — we’re shifting mindsets, breaking barriers, and opening the door to future explorers who’ve been told they don’t belong here,” says Jackson.