Darren Cross | VC Leader
HISTORY/ACHIEVEMENTS/TRAVEL
As luck would have it I was born in Wolverhampton, England. Recently voted the 5th worst city in the world by the lonely planet. So needless to say as soon as I could get out of there I was gone. My grandmother was a gypsy and told me from a very early age that I would travel “it’s in our blood” she would say. So far she has been spot on. I have lived and worked in over 30 countries choosing to spend time really getting to know the people and places I visit. I studied Outdoor Education and started my career as a mountain and water sports guide in 1999. Before that I worked as a carpenter and a chef amongst countless other things. I have led Expeditions for many companies and this will be my 5th for Venture co. I currently call Bowen Island my home in the Pacific North West of Canada where I have become addicted to maple smoked sockeye salmon. I’m looking forward to getting rehabilitated by guinea pig therapy in South America this February.
BEST THING ABOUT BEING A VC LEADER.
Getting to do exactly what I love doing, travelling, learning, making new friends, helping to make a difference and giving something back. Getting inspired every day by the people in the team and the local people we work so closely with.
FAVOURITE PROJECT
helping to build sustainable housing for an orphanage in Cambodia. So many things were so good. Living and working with Buddhist monks who had such a great sense of humour. Some of the group even got their heads shaved and became monks for a day. Also, driving through the temples of Angkor Wat each day to get to our project. One night our truck broke down and we missed the closing time for the gates. We managed to sweet talk the guard to let us in after dark and so we got the rare privilege of seeing the ancient Khmer temples under a magical star filled night sky. At the end we took one of the monks on a trip down to the coast when we went on R&R. He had never seen the ocean before. As soon as we got there he stripped of his saffron robes and dived in to the ocean. He was sporting little saffron coloured matching underpants! Priceless!
FAVOURITE TREK
I have done so many treks it’s hard to choose an all time fave. But for the best all round fun and team spirit, with a remarkable sense of achievement it has to be my 3rd ascent of Kilimanjaro with Team Limo a VC exped in 2007. I miss you guys,
BEST FOREIGN PHRASE, LEARNT AND USED
Poa kachizee kamandizee. Swahili for cool like a banana!
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