NEVER LOOK BACK

Outdoors

Words

In 2019 Sheffielder Nic Hardy decided to completely upheave her life. She quit her IT management job, sold her house, and took the plunge into becoming a full-time adventurer. She’s since journeyed all over the UK, and performed impressive feats such as climbing the 282 Munro mountains in Scotland, and walking the Cumbrian Traverse in the Lake District. In her bid to escape the drudge of the 40-hour working week, Nic has amassed over 17K followers on Instagram (@adventurer.nic) where she makes a living documenting her travels.

I lived frugally, most nights were spent sleeping under canvas with the odd hostel or Airbnb booking thrown in for an occasional treat. I hiked 95 routes which totalled over 2,000km and ascended over 100,000 metres of vertical ascent (Everest is 8,849 metres).

How hard was it to get into influencing?

I actually never set out to be an outdoors influencer. I started organising Instagram meet-ups in 2018 as a way of meeting new people that I could enjoy my new passion of hiking with. It all basically led to my Instagram account growing and then brands became interested in the community I was building and offered me sponsorships.

Do you ever solo travel?

space and I feel far more vulnerable in a city after dark than I ever do in a rural area.

How do you stay safe as a solo woman?

I carry a Garmin In Reach Mini when I’m alone in remote areas as a safety precaution. Pressing a button on this device would automatically dispatch mountain rescue to my location and I’m able to send messages to family using it, even in places where there is no phone signal. I always make sure I carry plenty of food and water, a first aid kit and sufficient clothing for the conditions. I always share my route with family and friends prior to embarking on a solo adventure.

What’s your proudest achievement?

What initially motivated you to quit your job and travel?

I decided my body needed a physical challenge rather than a mental challenge for a change. I decided to back myself, to have confidence that I was employable and that I’d be able to get a job again when I got back - but I never looked back. I haven’t been in full time employment since I left in 2019.

How did you manage financially when you were just starting out?

I do. I’ve just returned from an 88-mile walk along the Norfolk coast which I hiked alone over four days, including some night hiking with a head torch. The outdoors is my safe

The day I climbed the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Sgurr Dearg, which is part of the Black Cuillin mountain range on the Isle of Skye. We started the day in ‘the clag’* with zero visibility but once we topped out on the ridge we experienced a pure temperature inversion**. It was like being above a sea of marshmallows, with the neighbouring jagged peaks pushing up through the low cloud.

*Clag means low cloud, fog or smog.

**Temperature inversion is a layer in the air in which temperature increases with height.