Hugo and Ross Turner are twins. They’re also the ‘Adventure Guinea Pigs’. They work with King’s College London’s Department of Twin Research to help advance scientific medical understanding – subjecting themselves to often obtrusive and rigorous testing on their bodies – before, during and after their quests.
You might ask why, and the answer is discovery. Of new physical and mental understanding. And of the performance of new materials, diet and technology. So when we met up with Hugo at the Adventure Travel Show, tech seemed like a natural place to begin.
What are your feelings about technology?
Technology is great when is works but like all these things many talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.
Do you use technology when you head off on an adventure, or is it merely a useful tool when planning?
Tech is definitely used when I’m outdoors – it’s how I keep my friends and family updated with how I’m getting on.
What items of technology do you use – and what are the drawbacks?
Sat phone, camera, Sony Action Cams, PowerTraveller chargers and solar panels. The drawbacks are keeping them charged and not breaking them.
This year all the talk is about virtual reality; have you tried it out and if so what do you think of it?
We have been lucky enough to use it at a couple of trade shows and have been excited by the potential.
What was the initial inspiration to start adventuring?
I had a near catastrophic accident aged 17 and I’m fortunate to be walking today so supporting Spinal Research and other spinal charities is important. I also found that there was some interest from the media about what my twin and I do so we thought, let’s continue discovering things and commit to doing as many expeditions as possible. You never know how long you’ve got.
What was your first adventure?
Walking across Dartmoor when I was 10.
Your best and worst experience?
Rowing the Atlantic was the best and worst.
What was the most useful bit of kit you have ever taken with you?
Zip-ties are the best bit of kit – I’ve always used them and they’ve saved most of my expeditions from disaster!
What was the best bit of advice you were ever given?
If people are being negative, don’t listen to them – people are always negative about things and people who rely on some form of luck. Successful people never go through life having succeeded at everything they commit to.
Have you travelled Australia – and what’s still on your Australian bucket list?
A road trip from Melbourne to Cairns was simply epic – 4 months of fun and frolics… I won’t say any more.
I’d love to visit the outback for a few months (and really get lost).
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Meet more adventurers from this year’s Adventure Travel Show
