Oli, congratulations on completing this huge project! Tell us briefly about who you are, how you got this far.

“My name is Oli France, I am 33 years old and I am an adventurer and expedition leader.
I live in Lancashire, England. I specialize in leading trips to remote and hostile areas, such as Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Congo, Siberia and Yemen. Now I have just returned from a 64-day trip to the American continent. I went, by bicycle and on foot, from Death Valley to the top of Denali, connecting the lowest point and the highest point on the continent without using mechanical means!”
 

What is it that makes an adventure “great” for you?

“Great adventures for me are those that take me to travel through remote landscapes, unspoiled, far from everything and everyone, where few travelers pass through. And then I have to say that although I always try to plan my expeditions as best I can, a real adventure must by definition face risks and uncertainties.
If the outcome is assured, if there are no risks, uncertainties and difficulties, I don't think we can talk about adventure.”


 

What does it mean to explore?

“I believe that exploration differentiates human beings from other animals.
As a species we are naturally inclined to be curious and explore the unknown. Nowadays, modern society has started to explore in new ways and by other means: I'm thinking for example of engineering, sciences, artificial intelligence.
There are still some people, however, and I am among them, who seek real adventures in wild places. It has always been difficult for me to explain why. Adventure attracts me, as if it were a magnetic force. It is an instinct that I try to indulge. Out there I feel happy, complete, fulfilled.
For these reasons over the past 15 years I have been traveling to bigger and bigger and wilder places.”

Is it still possible to explore the world in 2024? How?

“I am convinced that it is.
I believe that to explore the world in the present day we have to be even more creative with ideas and projects. Of course, finding new places and stimulating challenges is becoming more and more difficult. I have gone to countries that see very few travelers, such as Iraq, Yemen or Congo. There have been few adventurers in these places because the troubled political situation does not provide much security. Lately, however, I have turned to bigger places where nature is still powerful and wild, such as Alaska.
There are still plenty of places to go, just look hard!”

What do you think about technology? Is it a tool that helps explorers or is it something that kills adventure?

“It's a very delicate balance.
In my early travels, a few years ago, I didn't use any technology, not even a cell phone. I simply stayed off the grid for whole weeks.
With satellite systems, nowadays it is almost always possible to be connected with the outside world if we want to be. I have always tried to limit my use of technology. When I am going through a wild place, while I am living the present moment to the fullest, I feel that contact with the outside world would interrupt the magic of that experience so raw and natural. If we use technology too much, we lose the essence of the adventure.”

In addition to exploring the world “on your own” you also work as an organizer and adventure-travel leader. Are there differences between the Oli traveler and the Oli expedition leader?

“The most obvious difference for me is on the level of safety, on the level of acceptable risk. When I'm leading a team, I move within my comfort zone, whereas when I'm on my own I try to push myself a little further.
I enjoy both, however. As a leader, I have to be able to make the right decisions, assessing the situation and the risks all the time, while the team is moving and every member has to be safe at all times.”
 

Let's come to your latest expedition, from Death Valley to Denali. How did it go?

“It was an adventure I had been dreaming about for the last ten years, and it took me 18 months to prepare for it. I knew I would have to push my body to the limit, giving it my all every day for several weeks straight. I had to be fully fit, ready to make the right decisions and face constant and different dangers.
As I expected, it was really tough: physically, mentally and logistically.
For the first 41 days I was alone, without any external support. I rode 3500 miles, passing through some of the most remote places in North America. I encountered so many animals, including bears, and went through all kinds of weather: from scorching sun to snowstorms.
For the mountain part, now close to my final goal, I moved together with a carefully chosen team.
For eight days we hauled our sleds until we reached Denali Base Camp (where 99 percent of mountaineers usually arrive by plane). We had to cross dense forest, frozen streams, huge crevasses, and fortunately avoided several large avalanches. Slowly we approached what is one of the coldest mountains on the planet, constantly lashed by wind and snowstorms.

We were never really sure we would make it until the last moment: strong nerves, right decisions and teamwork were our tools for success. Finally, 64 days after my departure from Death Valley, I was on top.
A crazy thrill that I will never forget.
I didn't feel that I had conquered the mountain, so much as, that I had conquered a part of me.”

Your expedition got a lot of coverage in the media. Why do you think people are so interested in an explorer?

“I consider my expedition from Death Valley to Denali a personal journey within myself. It was very nice to see that other people followed my journey with enthusiasm and also the interest of the media. I think in general we are always curious to see others as they face great challenges with uncertain futures. I also like to follow other expeditions that do not affect me personally, but maybe motivate me for a future project.
Maybe this time I was the inspiration for someone else.”
 

What's next for you?

“The expedition from Death Valley to Denali is actually part of a bigger project of mine: 'The Ultimate Seven,' a challenge that will keep me busy for years.
I would like to become the first person to travel only by foot and bicycle from the lowest to the highest point on any continent.
In 2023 I traveled 1,600 miles in Africa. This year it was North America's turn, and now I have five more big expeditions left. The next one will be in early 2025 to South America. In short, so far I have only written the first chapters of this story.
It's been great, but I feel equally that the best is yet to come!”
 

Good luck Oli!





📸 Aaron Rolph
✍️ Giovanni Zaccaria