Adaptive mountaineer Ed Jackson and disability advocate and adventurer Luke Tarrant will attempt the highest first ascent ever undertaken by people with disabilities. The expedition will take them deep into the remote mountain ranges of Kyrgyzstan, aiming to summit a previously unclimbed 5,000m+ peak where no human has ever stood.

 Ed Jackson (left) and Luke Tarrant discuss their plans for Kyrgyzstan - photo credit Toby Roney

Ed Jackson is a former rugby union professional and lifelong outdoor enthusiast. In an accident in 2017, Ed fractured multiple vertebrae in his spine and doctors warned him that he may never walk again. He has since confounded the experts and found a way to return to the mountains. Ed works closely with Berghaus, which modifies kit to help him climb, and he is now an ambassador for the brand

Luke Tarrant is an adventurer and motorcycle enthusiast who lost a leg in 2024 after a road accident. Luke has since returned to outdoor adventure and is now a high profile advocate for people with disabilities.

The expedition to Kyrgyzstan has been given the title ‘First Ascent’ and will begin in mid-August. The project intends to rewrite the rules of who gets to explore, and prove that with the right mindset, innovation, and support, anything is possible. First Ascent will focus on four key themes:

 Ed Jackson (left) and Luke Tarrant training in the Alps - photo credit Toby Roney

• Access: Ed and Luke will use customised specialist kit, including products from the Berghaus Adapts initiative. They will be testing the gear and themselves in one of the most extreme

environments on Earth, and hope to drive innovation in the outdoor industry that makes mountaineering more inclusive for people with a range of physical impairments.

• Education: With 20% of the global population living with a disability, the team will share honest, unfiltered stories from the mountain to shed light on the lived experiences of disability - visible and invisible - and to inspire others to embrace adventure.
• Science: The team will be tracking their biostatistics during the expedition to understand more about how different disabilities affect each individual in these environments.
• Legacy: A successful ascent will mean the opportunity to name the mountain, leaving a permanent mark in mountaineering history and a symbol of possibility for future generations.

Ed Jackson comments: “This is about planting a flag in the ground for accessible adventure. True exploration is still out there - and it belongs to everyone. We’re not just climbing a mountain — we’re shifting mindsets, breaking barriers, and opening the door to future explorers who’ve been told they don’t belong here.”

The journey will be broadcast in real time through satellite uplinks and social media, offering audiences around the world a front-row seat to the expedition as it unfolds. Led by Matt Pycroft, award winning adventure film company Coldhouse will document the challenge before, during, and after, creating high-impact content for digital, broadcast, and print media.

The team will be fundraising for Millimetres 2 Mountains, the charity co-founded by Ed to support others overcoming adversity through adventure. Donations can be pledged at First Ascent: Ed & Luke take on a World-First climb. To keep up to date with the progress of First Ascent, follow @edjackson8 and @luke_tarrant on Instagram.