On Saturday, 23rd August 2025, Ed Jackson achieved the impossible. He became the first person to reach the summit of a 4720m peak in Kyrgyzstan, and not only that: he is the first disabled person to attempt a first ascent of an unclimbed, high-altitude peak. For most, the challenge of climbing a mountain would be daunting enough, but after breaking his neck in 2017, Ed was told he might never walk again. His spinal cord injury meant he had to relearn to walk. But his permanent partial paralysis couldn’t stop him. It only motivated him to show others that he isn’t limited by his disability.
Originally, Ed was to be joined by Luke Tarrant, the pair aiming to push the boundaries of an entire industry, testing both their resilience and adaptive equipment in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Just as importantly, they were climbing for others – for the people who would see the story and begin to believe in new possibilities for themselves. The mission was never just about reaching a summit. Through their endeavours, they aimed to raise money for the charities Millimetres 2 Mountains, of which Ed Jackson is a co-founder, and CDI’s Children at Risk programme in Kyrgyzstan. A successful summit also meant the team got to name the peak, leaving a lasting legacy for all those who had overcome monumental obstacles.
Luke, an avid adventurer who lost his leg in a motorbike accident only a year ago, was sadly forced to withdraw after he was mistreated in a local hospital, just days before the expedition was to start. He was understandably heartbroken, but we know he was supporting Ed as he completed the climb for both of them, carrying both his and Luke’s ambitions with him. Ed pressed on not just for the summit, but to keep raising vital funds for disabled charities and to show that setbacks, whether in life or in mountaineering, don’t have to define the outcome, just as Ed and Luke show us every day. And on 23rd August, Ed reached the summit, leaving the task of naming the mountain to the children at CDI’s Children at Risk programme. They named it Үмүт чокусу, or Hope Peak.
Grangers is proud to have supported this inspiring journey. We want to champion the outdoors for everyone, no matter how skilled or able, so being part of this mission to prove that no challenge is insurmountable has been really important to us, and we’ve cheered on Ed and Luke’s entire journey back at Grangers HQ and will continue to follow and support this inspirational pair however we can.
Though the climb has not unfolded as they first imagined, Ed and Luke’s story is already one of courage and transformation. Together, they’ve proven that success isn’t measured only at the top of a mountain. Sometimes it’s found in the willingness to try, the resilience to adapt, and the determination to keep moving forward—for yourself and for everyone who needs to know that it’s possible. #withgrangersyoucan
Share:
Euro Hiking Hotspots
Autumn Gear Care: How to Protect Jackets, Boots & Outdoor Kit with Grangers