Richmond - One life one chance: a story of adrenaline and adventure in the most unforgiving places on earth

First published in 2018 by Impact Press

an imprint of Ventura Press

PO Box 780, Edgecliff NSW 2027 Australia

www.impactpress.com.au

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Copyright Luke Richmond 2018

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any other information storage retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:

One life one chance: a story of adrenaline and adventure in the most unforgiving places on earth / Richmond, Luke.

ISBN: 978-1-925384-37-6 (paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-925384-38-3 (ebook)

Category: Memoir

Cover and internal design: Brugel Creative

Cover image: Luke Richmond

PRAISE FOR

ONE LIFE ONE CHANCE

The dignity of risk is a human right and the human races greatest accomplishments have often been on the back of enormous risk to human life. Luke embraces risk as a necessary means to an end in this inspiring account of his incredible adventures. A true inspiration and a reminder to those who discourage the expression of risk in todays workplaces, schools and playgrounds that you will never get much back out of life without taking risk.

KEN WARE , founder of NeuroPhysics Therapy

An honest and inspiring story about a man living his life to its absolute maximum.

JAY , 10-year Australian SAS and Commando veteran

Lukes story and life shows us all that with conviction and discipline the world and what it has to offer is on tap just waiting to be experienced. We just need to find the courage and strength to break out of our comfort zone to embrace life and begin living.

COMMANDO STEVE , host of The Biggest Loser Australia

Luke is proof of both the incredible strength of the human spirit and the need to push our personal boundaries. He is also intent on living up to what Helen Keller said better than anyone: Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.

TIM JARVIS AM , Australian Adventurer of the Year in 2013, Conservationist of the Year in 2016 (Australian Geographic Society)

Lukes story brings home three things to me, we have one lifemake it count, never be told you cant do something, and anticipation is worse than participation.

DEAN STOTT , former British Special Boat Service (SBS) operator

Lukes story is an honest one that many will be able to relate to. By laying bare his own dark times and documenting how he personally got back on track, Luke has produced a work that will resonate with anyone experiencing difficulties and who wants to find happiness and vibrancy. A life full of extremes, this is a rollercoaster of a book and well worth chucking in your backpack.

ED STAFFORD , star of Left for Dead and the first person to walk the full length of the Amazon River

Luke is an inspiration! His story is a great yarn in overcoming adversity and a true living example of have a go, ya mug! Uplifting, harrowing at times and incredible!

JAMES CASTRISSION , Australian adventurer and author of Crossing the Ditch and Extreme South

Lukes life has taken him from partying like Ronnie Wood, training like Schwarzenegger, to exploring like Sir Ranulph Fiennes...and the scariest thing is, to those that know him, the best is yet to come.

MATHEW BENNETT , ocean rowing world record holder and CEO of Acorn Childrens Homes

If your life feels like a deep dark hole and it seems that there is no way out, this book is your ladder into the light. Its inspiring and empowering.

PAT FARMER AM , multiple endurance running world record holder, National Geographics Adventurer of the Year.

Wow, carpe diem! This is an amazing story of a man from humble beginnings that wont let anything stand in the way of achieving his dreams. Dont know how to row, why not paddle the Atlantic? Dont know how to climb, why not tackle the famed Seven Summits? A great story about a regular guy taking on big challenges.

MIKE HAMILL , premier high altitude guide and author of Climbing the Seven Summits

For Mandy and Clive, my gypsy parents who taught me the way of the road

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Luke Richmond is an Aussie adventurer who has conquered the odds during many internationally acclaimed expeditions. Growing up on various cattle stations across the Northern Territory, Luke joined the army at 17 years old, which gave him the discipline and world knowledge he needed, and lit a fire for adventure that he pursues to this day. Luke has climbed the highest mountain on six continents, completed a world record ocean row across the Atlantic, and was the first Australian male to trek 1800 kilometres across the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, dragging a cart that contained all his food and water. Lukes lifelong passion is to make adventure accessible to everyone, and to inspire others to feel the reward of conquering a physical and mental challenge. His life motto is OLOC which stands for one life one chance, a belief that has driven him into harder and longer challenges every single year.

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

The barrel of his AK-47 assault rifle was pointed straight at my head; the tip was shaking and I wondered whether it was the Russian soldiers anger that was causing him to tremble or the freezing temperatures brought on by the blizzard raging outside the helicopter. Either way, I thought, this is it. This was the moment my life would get snatched away in the blink of an eye, and it was a silly misunderstanding that would cost me everything. I could see the inside of the barrel inches from my face; I noticed the rifling honed into the steel designed to rotate the bullet and make it more accurate. It was impossible for him to miss this shot, and as I looked at his trigger finger already moving into firing position I had that moment that others have written about, the flashback to times gone past, to family, friends and crazy adventures.