Matthew J K Cull
Matthew J K Cull
Photographer, Speaker, Writer
World Adventure Traveler
Hiking and Mountain Climbing
I have been hiking in the world’s wild and natural landscapes for the past 30 years. Through a wide range of diverse environments and climatic conditions I have continually found beauty, solitude and reveled in the magnificence of our planet. Whether it be climbing mountain ridges and summits, following rivers or coastlines, passing lakes or glaciers, or meandering across grasslands and tundra I have found the excitement of discovery, the reward of accomplishment and the peace, power, and complexity of nature. I have had numerous close encounters with a variety of wildlife and am often accompanied by am camera through which I have been able to capture, at least the visual beauty, I have discovered.
While nature and its environments display a raw strength and power they too are fragile. Devastating encroachments on sensitive environments are never far away with clear-cut forestry, mining, pollution and urban sprawl. I have come to believe that nature and our natural environment is an elemental part of humanity, that we cannot survive without it, and that it has a right to exist regardless of its benefit to human kind. For centuries man has distanced himself from the nature around him, creating environments and civilizations that bare little resemblance to the natural world. He has devised systems that not only preclude nature but exist at the detriment of nature. Many of our current environmental and social issues stem from this practice. I endeavor to pass on this appreciation of nature and wildness through his positions as Hiking and Cycling Guide and through his audio-visual presentations.
Europe
European Alps: a lengthways traverse from Vienna to Monaco, through 6 countries: 2215 kms, 132 days 2007 Blog below
Pyrenees: lengthways traverse from Atlantic Ocean to Mediterranean Sea via Haute Route through 3 countries: 781kms, 39
days, 2015. Blog below
United Kingdom and Ireland: Climbed the highest points in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and N. Ireland as well as
numerous other Munros in Scotland and Ireland.
Dinaric Alps: a lengthways traverse of most of the Dinaric Alps along the Peaks of the Balkans and Via Dinarica routes
through Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Croatia for 960 km and 46 days. 2019. Blog below
Extensive day and overnight hikes in France, Italy, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Czech,
Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine.
Asia
Nepal Himalaya, Annapurna Circuit, Langtang and Khumbu Region treks climbing to 5800m. 1990
India Himalaya, Climbed Stok Kangri (6121m - 20,200 ft) in Ladakh. Treks in Ladakh, Zanskar, Spiti, Lahaul, Kashmir,
1986, 2006
Pakistan, Treks in the Karakoram and Hindu Raj in the regions of Chitral and Hunza. 1994
Japan, Climbed Mt Fuji (3776m), Chokai-san (2236m), Ichizuchi-san (1982m), Yotei-san, Iwake-san (1800m), 2002
Vietnam, Climbed Fansipan (3143m), highest peak in Vietnam, 2014
Georgia, Trekked through the Caucasus Mountains, day hikes in Svaneti, and 7 days from Kazbegi to Omalo, Tusheti, 2016
Iran, hikes in the Alborz Mtns: In the Alamut valley and over the range to the north side, ascent of Mt Touchal, 3960m, 2016
South Korea, climbed three highest mountains in the country, 2017
Kyrgyzstan, Trek in the Teskey Ala Too range, a part of the Tien Shan, 2017
Africa
Tanzania, Climbed Kilimanjaro (5892m), 1998
Malawi, Climbed Sapitwa Peak (3002m) on the Mt Mulanje massif, 1998, Highest point in Malawi.
South Africa, Climbed Champagne Castle (3375m) in The Drakensburg Range, 1998, Highest Peak in the South Africa.
Zimbabwe, Climbed Mt Nyangani (2592m) 1998, Highest Peak in Zimbabwe
Mozambique, Climbed Mt Binga, 1998, Highest peak in Mozambique
Morocco, Climbed Jebel Toubkal (4167m), 2013, highest peak in Morocco, hiked a 9 day loop around Toubkal massif.
South America
Ecuador, Climbed Cotopaxi (5897m), 2000
Peru, Trekked over the Cordillera Blanca from near to Huaraz to Chacas, and the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, 2000
Chile, Torres del Paine Circuit, 2000
Australia et al
Papua New Guinea, Kokoda Track (1978), Climbed Mt Wilhelm (4509m) 1978, highest peak in PNG
New Zealand, Climbed Mt Tongariro (1978), Mt Ruapehu (2797), hiked the Ruapehu Circuit, Wangapeka Track, Able
Tasman Track, Heaphy Track, Queen Charlotte Track, a route from Nelson Lakes to Lewis Pass, Hikes in the Arthurs Pass
area, Kepler Track, Routeburn, Greenstone and Caples Tracks, Dusky Sound Track, hikes in the Mt Cook area.
Australia, Numerous Hikes in the Colo, Blue Mountains, Budawangs, Brindabella, Snowy Mountains - Kosciuszko, Victorian
Alps, Wilsons Promontory, Great Ocean Walk, Grampians areas. In Tasmania: South Coast Track including South Cape,
South-West Cape and Precipitous Bluff, Eastern and Western Arthurs including Federation Peak, Pictons, Frenchmans
Cap, Overland Track, Mt Field, Freycinet, Maria Island. Also rafted the Franklin River as a two man party in two, two man
rafts 1981.
North America
USA, North-East: Climbed all 111 4000+ft (1200+m) peaks in the north east (states of ME, NH, VT, NY), Appalachian and
Adirondack and Catskill Mountains in spring through fall and then again in winter.
Colorado: Climbed approx. 750 peaks in Colorado including 42 14,000 ft peaks and 425 13,000ft peaks, some of
which climbed in winter.
Other western USA: Hiked throughout the western half of the US including: the Colorado Plateau in UT, Grand Canyon,
Sierra Mountain Range in CA including climbing Mt Whitney, highest peak in the lower 48, Cascades Mtns in CA, OR
and WA, the Rockies in ID, MT, WY, UT, CO, NM. Extensive day and overnight hikes in Alaska.
Canada, Hiked throughout the Rockies in Alberta and BC, in the Coast Range of BC, and the West Coast Trail on
Vancouver Island.
Cuba, Climbed Pico Turquino 6476ft, highest peak
Below is a highlight of the regions, activities, ranges, and peaks Matthew has hiked and climbed.
Click on GALLERY to see images from Matthew’s hikes and climbs.
Click on SPEAKING to learn more about Matthew’s presentations.
Click on PUBLICATIONS to learn more about Matthew’s coffee table photo books