Wild Expeditions & Death Valley To Denali

Under a scorching sun in Death Valley’s vast salt flats, Oli France set out on a human-powered odyssey unlike any other: riding, skiing, and climbing from North America’s lowest point at 282 feet below sea level to Denali’s 20,310 feet summit.

This episode of Adventure Diaries follows his 64-day, 3,500-mile quest—part of his Ultimate 7 Project—where every mile tested his planning, resilience, and leadership.

A former kitchen designer turned expedition leader, Oli’s passion began with a 17-year-old’s first taste of rock climbing in the Lake District. From Wigan’s rugby pitches to Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, he chased an adrenaline rush across continents—self-funding treks with Berber guides, solo university expeditions, and high-stakes journeys through Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and Siberia.

Before his North America leg, Oli had already cycled 1,600 miles through Djibouti’s furnace heat, Ethiopia’s tribal roadways, and Kenya’s wildlife corridors—culminating in a summit climb of Kilimanjaro.

Yet nothing quite prepared him for the extremes of Death Valley to Denali: temperatures swinging 80 degrees, 330 mile stretches with no amenities, and encounters with grizzlies and black bears on the open road.

After 39 days on a 50 kg expedition bike, Oli skied an eight-day route over the 75 km Kahiltna Glacier—navigating hidden crevasses on ropes and surviving −38 °F wind chills—to reach Denali Base Camp. Joined by a four-person rope team, he then pushed through six days of storms, technical ice slopes, and altitude to stand triumphant on Denali’s summit.

Watch The Episode With Oli France

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Listen To The Episode With Oli France

• Human-powered extremes – Cycling 3,500 miles from Death Valley’s –282 ft to Denali’s 20,310 ft entirely self-supported.
• Adaptable planning – Meticulous research to navigate 330 mile stretches between gas stations in Yukon’s winter-bound wilderness.
• Teamwork under pressure – Four-person rope team safely crossing Kahiltna Glacier’s crevasse fields.
• Conquering fear – Facing grizzlies and black bears with vigilance and bear spray on remote highways.
• Resilience through hardship – Overcoming injuries, severe cold (–38 °F wind chill), and isolation over 64 days.

• “If you feel relaxed in Syria, maybe you’re not pushing hard enough.” – On seeking discomfort to fuel growth.
• “Designing kitchens was my greatest feat of endurance.” – On quitting corporate life after two miserable years.
• “I would have said yes in an instant” to drilling a hole in my skull. – Facing life-threatening meningitis before Lake Baikal.

• Death Valley sits at 282 ft below sea level—the lowest point in North America.
• Denali reaches 20,310 ft—the highest peak in North America.
• Lake Baikal holds 20% of the world’s freshwater and stretches 400 miles long.
• Kilimanjaro at 19,341 ft is Africa’s tallest freestanding mountain.
• Atlas Mountains span Morocco’s peaks where Oli’s first solo trek ignited his passion.

• Plan a micro-adventure – Map your local highest and lowest points and journey between them.
• Practice risk drills – Run “what-if” scenarios before every outdoor trip.
• Build mental stamina – Embrace small daily discomforts like cold showers.
• Support local guides – Hire community-based expedition leaders on your travels.

Call to Adventure

Oli’s Challenge: Identify your own backyard’s lowest and highest points and embark on a human-powered journey—by foot, bike, or boat. Share your story by tagging @oli_france on Instagram!

Pay It Forward

When you plan your next adventure, choose local guides, fixers, and homestays to put your travel funds directly into community-run projects—fueling sustainable, grassroots economies worldwide.

References & Recommendations

• Wild Edge – Oli’s expedition company & upcoming adventures
• Denali National Park – Learn more about Denali
• Death Valley National Park – Explore North America’s lowest point
• Atlas Mountains – Discover the range that inspired Oli’s first solo trek

Before You Go

If Oli’s journey inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this post with fellow adventure seekers. Your support helps us keep exploring—and storytelling—at the edge of what’s possible.