James Hooper is visiting South Africa following being named National Geographic magazine's Adventurer of the Year 2008...
James Hooper is currently out in South Africa touring the country and giving a series of inspirational talks. The trip forms part of the prize that both he and Rob Gauntlett were awarded when they were honoured by National Geographic magazine by being named Adventurers of the Year for 2008, following their epic adventure from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Rob tragically died in a climbing accident in the French Alps at the start of 2009. Despite losing his best friend and fellow adventurer, James hasn't been deterred, and demonstrating the strength and determination that he has shown in his previous exploits, and using the memory of Rob's strength of character as motivation and inspiration, he is continuing the work they had started together.  One of Rob and James' main aims on their Everest climb and Pole to Pole expedition was not only to achieve their own extreme dreams, but also "to ignite a flame in everyone we meet which pushes them to utilise their talents and achieve their ambitions."