Turner Twins - Climbing Back in Time

The Turner Twins

Climbing Back in Time

Hugo and Ross Turner, better known as the Turner Twins are no strangers to the edge of human endurance. As professional adventurers, they’ve rowed across the Atlantic, climbed Mt Elbrus, attempted to traverse Greenland, and reached several of the world’s Poles of Inaccessibility, all while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with modern technology. Most recently, they set a world record for the highest altitude achieved by a tandem electric paramotor, advocating for the future of clean aviation.

Now, they’re back with their most thought-provoking expedition yet. One that looks not just forward, but back in time.

A Journey Through History

In October 2025, the Turner Twins will head to Nepal to climb Mera Peak (6,467m/21,217ft), the country’s highest trekking peak. But this isn’t just another summit bid. This expedition is a scientific and historical investigation into how mountaineering has changed over the past 100 years. Specifically, the twins will compare the performance of modern high-altitude gear to that used by George Mallory and Sandy Irvine on their fateful 1924 Everest expedition.

From the moment they step onto the mountain, everything from the kit they wear to their physiological responses will be under scrutiny. Using cutting-edge tracking and biometric analysis, they’ll study differences in cognitive performance, stress levels (via cortisol), thermal insulation, dexterity, and other key metrics of survival and performance at altitude.

One Mountain, Two Eras

In true Turner style, the twins will split their approach: one will wear historically accurate clothing from the 1920s, while the other uses modern day high-performance gear. This includes vintage and bespoke items for the “Mallory & Irvine” twin such as original WW1 army clothing, tailored wool jackets and shirts from Devold, and even a meticulously recreated pair of boots by Crockett & Jones, modeled directly on the Mallory boot held at the Royal Geographical Society in London.

The result? A real-time, high-altitude experiment comparing a century of mountaineering progress.

Why it Matters

This project is more than an adventure. It’s about understanding the evolution of gear, endurance, and human resilience. What did climbers endure in the early days of exploration and how far have we really come? By combining history, science, and the spirit of adventure, the Turner Twins hope to shed new light on the legacy of early pioneers and inspire a deeper appreciation for both the risks they took and the technologies that support today’s explorers.

At Montane, we’re proud to support this unique journey that blends storytelling, exploration, and discovery. Stay tuned as the Turner Twins prepare to take us all on a journey not just to the top of Mera Peak, but through time itself.