Rab “Beyond Ordinary” Competition Winners
In Spring 2025 we teamed up with Rab to celebrate those tiny, electrifying moments of being outdoors.
We asked you to share not just the most extreme feats or pinnacle achievements, but the unique, memorable moments that make spending time in the mountains so special.
Three lucky winners described their one-of-a-kind experiences in the outdoors that were all a little out of the ordinary. Here are their stories………
Sandra Grinevicius
“In the last year of my 30s, I have decided to do 40 challenges before I am 40. One of the challenges was to climb Ben Nevis as a family.
We came to Scotland from South East of England to do North Coast 500 and we wanted to start with climbing Ben Nevis. The weather wasn’t the best and the higher we climbed the windier it was becoming and soon it was clear to us that it wouldn’t be safe to go with our kids (10 and 12 years old). We have made a decision half way, to go down. We had chosen different route but still had an amazing adventure. A little bit tired and a little bit disappointed we went off to our road trip of North Cost 500.
After 10 days of road tripping we had one more chance to try Ben Nevis on the way home. It was harder to talk kids into it as they knew how hard is to do half way but somehow we convinced them. All geared up, we were up at 4am to start our climb. We had to make lots of stops with drinks and snacks. It was slow but we made progress. I even had to promise to buy them t shirts at the souvenir shop. It seemed this gesture motivated them! Once we reached snow - everything looked so mystical and magical. It seemed like there was no one on the mountain just us. No wind, visibility low - but it felt like an Arctic adventure. We reached the summit in such a joy and it was just us. It felt like a really special experience. It was a hard climb but the kids thanked us for pushing them to carry on and not to give up.
Going down was joyful and full of pride and this adventure holds special place in my heart as it was our first mountain as a family, that ignited us to do Three National Peaks. Now, every time we are near the mountains, to climb one mountain as a family is non negotiable. It doesn’t matter how tall it is but it is all about the adventure we share together. “
Congratulations Sandra and family - we hope you enjoy your new Rab pack on your future family adventures!
Claire Irvine
“I had just completed The Lap in May 2024 when I discovered a pea size lump in my right breast and was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 2 triple negative breast cancer requiring 2 surgeries, 16 cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Working as an Advanced clinical practitioner with the stroke team, I was fit and healthy and this came as a huge shock.
Many days were spent walking round the farm and fells where I live in the Lake District in a state of disbelief. I felt so restless and agitated that walking was the only thing that settled me and gave me some relief.
In July, we were away in our camper van in Aviemore when I received a phone call with an appointment for the following Monday at the Breast clinic following a mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy…..Apart from the day of my operation, I continued to walk daily and have my daily dose of fresh air.
It was September when The oncologist advised me that I would require 12 weeks of weekly chemo and 12 doses of chemo every 3 weeks thereafter. A picc line was inserted the week after and I commenced chemo the next day. Instantly I experienced high levels of nausea and fatigue but being an early riser I was still up at 0530 and out in the fresh air where I could process my thoughts and feelings.
Despite the weekly chemo regime, we did manage to get away to Ullswater in the camper van for 3 days in October. This enabled me to keep germ free but still enjoy some time away. I completed two small Wainwrights, however my energy levels were not great and I felt very tired. On our return I required a blood transfusion to boost my levels.
In December, during admission for neutropenic sepsis and discovery of a thrombus in my arm I was pumped full of antibiotics and commenced on anti-coagulants. All I could think was that I was due to start my virtual Lakeland 50! I had missed 2 days but managed to complete it in 12 days.
I was admitted on New Years Eve again for the same condition and had entered the virtual Spine Challenger South/108 miles which I started on 2 January and finished on 13 January the day before my next chemo dose.
In March 2025 I completed the Grizedale half marathon in 3hours 33 minutes, and have had my last dose of chemo. This month will be 5 sessions of radiotherapy and then removal of my ovaries
I needed to prove to myself when it felt as though so much had been taken away from me that I could continue to enjoy what I loved to do – by getting out walking. Some days I could only manage a mile but I would go out twice a day.”
Claire, your story is inspirational and the whole team at Rab, Joe Browns and The Climbers Shop wish you all the very best on your road to recovery.
Alex G
Hiking the Plain of Six Glaciers trail at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada when the wild fires started last July. A sudden orange sky with ash falling as we made our way back from the summit. Where we also saw an avalanche. Incredible and terrifying at the same time. An experience I’ll never forget!
