This prestigious award is to recognise and celebrate individuals who inspire others through adventure, climbing, hill walking, mountaineering across Britain. Think of it as a Piolet d’Or (but closer to home) or the 'Sports Personality of the Year' for Adventurers.

Voting is officially open

This year's finalists represent an extraordinary range of accomplishments, from groundbreaking climbing ascents and record-breaking mountain rounds to inspirational journeys of resilience, determination and personal challenge. Our six contenders are:

• Jesse and Molly Dufton
• Franco Cookson
• Emma Twyford
• Helen Rennard
• Louise McCall
• Rob Matheson

It's now time to cast your vote for whose achievement you believe best embodies the spirit of inspiring adventure. Plus - every person who votes will have the opportunity to win a Lifesystems Sleep Mat Light worth £79.99.

The winner of the award will be announced at the BMC Award at Basecamp Festival on 12th September 2026 alongside our 2026 Volunteer Award winners. You can find out more about the BMC Awards and previous winners here.

Meet the nominee adventurers

Jesse and Molly Dufton have redefined what is possible in British climbing through an extraordinary partnership built on trust, communication and shared ambition. As a blind climber, Jesse relies on Molly's real-time guidance to tackle some of Britain's most challenging traditional climbs, demanding exceptional technical skill, preparation and teamwork from them both.

Together, they have achieved a series of groundbreaking ascents, including Jesse becoming the first blind person to lead all six pitches of the iconic Old Man of Hoy. Their achievements on serious sea cliffs, mountain routes and competition walls challenge perceptions of disability and demonstrate that adventure is shaped as much by determination, trust and resilience as physical ability. Through their climbing, Jesse and Molly continue to inspire people across the outdoor community by showing what can be achieved when barriers are approached with courage, collaboration and an unwavering belief in what is possible.

At the age of 74, Rob Matheson reminded the climbing world that ambition and adventure have no age limit. His ascent of The Bells! The Bells! (E7/8) stands as one of the most remarkable British climbing achievements of recent years, combining technical skill, commitment and decades of experience on challenging traditional routes.

Known for his thoughtful approach to climbing and his lifelong passion for the mountains, Rob's achievement has inspired climbers of all generations. More than simply demonstrating exceptional performance, his ascent shows that personal goals, determination and a love of adventure can continue to drive us throughout our lives. His achievement embodies the spirit of the award by encouraging others to pursue their own ambitions regardless of age or expectation.

Franco Cookson continues to push the boundaries of British traditional climbing through bold ascents and a deep commitment to the ethics that define the sport. In 2026, he established a new E12 route on Ben Loyal in the Scottish Highlands, representing one of the most difficult traditional climbs ever completed in Britain.

The ascent demanded years of effort, countless attempts and an unwavering commitment to bold, self-reliant climbing in a remote mountain environment. Beyond the headline grade, Franco's achievement reflects the perseverance, dedication and respect for British climbing traditions that inspire many within the climbing community. His determination to pursue ambitious objectives while remaining true to the values of traditional climbing makes this a truly outstanding achievement.

Lorraine McCall has become one of Scotland's most accomplished long-distance mountain walkers through a series of extraordinary self-powered mountain rounds. She is the first woman to complete a continuous round of all 231 Grahams and, most recently, became the first known woman to complete a continuous round of the Donalds and Donald Tops, covering 141 summits in just 28 days.

What makes Lorraine's achievements particularly inspiring is that many have been completed while undergoing treatment for cancer. Her determination, resilience and positive outlook have touched countless people she has met along the way. Through her adventures, Lorraine demonstrates that even in the face of significant personal challenges, it is possible to continue pursuing ambitious goals and finding joy in the mountains.

Emma Twyford made British climbing history in 2025 when she became the first woman to climb a UK E10, one of the highest grades in traditional climbing. Her ascent of Yma O Hyd (E10 7a) represented a landmark achievement, breaking new ground for women in British trad climbing and demonstrating years of dedication, perseverance and elite-level skill.

As one of Britain's leading climbers, Emma continues to inspire others through her commitment to challenging objectives and her willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible. Her achievement is not only a personal milestone but also an important moment in the history of British climbing, encouraging future generations to pursue ambitious goals and challenge perceived limitations.

Helen Rennard achieved a remarkable mountaineering feat by completing all 282 Munros in winter in a record time of 80 days and 9.5 hours. In doing so, she became only the second woman ever to complete a continuous winter Munro round and set a new overall winter record.

Undertaken during Scotland's harshest season, the challenge demanded exceptional endurance, planning, navigation and resilience across some of Britain's most demanding mountain terrain. Helen's achievement combines athletic performance with a deep commitment to mountain travel and exploration, providing an inspiring example of what can be accomplished through determination, preparation and a passion for the outdoors.

Every vote will be entered into a prize draw to win a Lifesystems Sleep Mat Light worth £79.99 The Sleep Mat Lite is built for dependable comfort in cold and demanding conditions. A tapered mummy shape and 7cm depth provide stable, cushioned support, while interconnected air chambers help distribute weight evenly across uneven ground. It comes in weighing 632g.

Terms and Conditions

• You don't have to be a BMC member to vote
• Please only submit one vote per person and to assist with this will ask you to provide you email address.
• Please don’t use multiple email address to register more votes.
• Voting closes at Midnight on Sunday 23rd August
• To be in with a chance of winning the Lifesystems sleep map, you must opt-in to receive communications from the BMC
• You don't have to be a member of the BMC to enter the Lifesystems prize draw.