Tom remembers thinking ‘This isn’t good’ after a rugby tackle ruptured an artery supplying blood to his brain. Seconds later, an off-duty paramedic was saving his life. Tom then spent the next month in a coma and on life-support, with doctors suspecting he may never wake up.

As a result of his life-changing injury, Tom experiences weakness in his left side and struggles to regulate his body temperature. But this doesn’t stop him. Today, he’s an active adventurer, always looking for another challenge.

Adaptations

• Magnetic zip added to jacket, which can be used with just one hand.
• Extended ‘pit zips’ for better ventilation, helping Tom stay cool on
a challenge.
• Adjustments to left-sided pocket to make it easier to access with his right hand, allowing for extra storage.

Charlotte was told she’d never walk again after a quad bike accident
in Costa Rica. A shattered piece of bone went into her spinal cord, instantly paralysing her.


She said, ‘I completely lost hope… It was a really, really dark moment.’ Just two years later, she was climbing to the top of Snowdon.

The injury impacted Charlotte’s bladder and bowel, which means she now uses disposable catheters. Her body also struggles to keep cool when exercising. The Berghaus Adapts team was able to provide gear tailored to her needs, helping her focus on what she loves – getting out there and being in the elements.

Adaptations

• Additional zips added to jacket and trousers for ventilation,
helping to prevent overheating.
• Discrete, waterproof bag for catheter which can be clipped onto
her rucksack.

Caroline is on a mission. Her goal? To be the first deafblind person to reach the top of Everest in 2026. She has a rare condition called Usher’s Syndrome, which means she’ll eventually lose her sight completely.
She said, ‘I want to summit Everest while I still have my useful sight and make a memory to look back on.’

An experienced mountaineer, Caroline has recently completed the famous Three Peaks Challenge, scaling the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours. And that was only a few months after she crossed the finishing line at the London Marathon. Everest won’t know what’s hit it!

Adaptations

• Noise-reduction fleece added to interior of hood, which helps to stop the wind from interfering with her hearing aid.
• Sensory badges sewn into clothing to identify the inside, outside, left and right, so it’s easier to change on the mountain.
• High-viz materials added to guide’s clothing, making them easier to see in difficult weather conditions.