Meet Mike Reid, the world record breaker who defends the planet through sport practice and ice cap expeditioning

Mike Reid (@gnarlyadventures) grew up in Phili (Philadelphia, Pensilvania, USA). After having the opportunity to live and adventure in Japan, he realized his call to adventure: discovering the meaning of life through experiencing nature in first hand.

Throughout the years, he was able to embark on some amazing expeditions whether it was the first sea kayaking expedition to cross the Sea of Japan, a 1000K solo sea kayaking expedition or a solo 7 day crossing of Europes largest Ice Cap via snow kite.

Nowadays, he resides in Iceland where he is the lead guide for a local glacier operation and finds himself climbing in the massive moulins and huge glaciers on a daily basis.

1. What in your upbringing made you gravitate towards climbing and trekking?

Throughout my youth I was not much of an adventurer being that I was limited by the concrete jungle in which I lived; although I always found myself looking very fondly at those who were doing crazy adventures. It was not until later in life, when I left the US to live in Japan, that I embraced that path.

2. When did you decide you would take it seriously and break world records?

Well the first one came after crossing the United States by motorcycle. It was at this time, thinking of the next adventure that I decided I wanted to do something that was big…as big as I could make it. What better way than to attempt a multi-state Guinness World Record on mini-motorcycles, which was our first successful World Record #minimotorecord.

3. How would you define interacting with glaciers and sharing it with your audience?

Being able to capture moments that rest at the very edge of experience and make them accessible to those who follow me. Glaciers are more than just an object I guide on, that have taught me so much about life. Most significantly I’ve learned that Mother Nature will always win.

4. Can you tell us more about your next icecap expedition?

Yeah, so I’ve already done two crossings. The first with my good friend and snow kiting partner Rögnvaldur Finnbogason and the second was my 7 day solo expedition. For the next expedition, I would like to use the knowledge I had from the last trip and spend more time on the ice itself as compared to going to the huts which are accessible via the Ice Cap. I think it’s important to learn to survive in those type of condiitons.