Elite Traveler March-April 2017

INFLUENCE LEADERS IN LUXURY

Matthew Robertson on the great outdoors

MomentumAdventure’s motto is “do something different.” Founder MatthewRobertson believes in creating unique, luxurious experiences in the great outdoors

crevasse. There was an underground river running between two pieces of lava. It was –60° F above ground but so hot beneath. I went floating down this warm, crystal-clear river, looking up at the sky – full of stars and dancing with the northern lights. I thought, “how will I ever be able to explain how powerful this experience is?” Iceland is one of the most remarkable places. Motivation To get more people outdoors and show them how powerful and ethereal it is. In our modern world, it’s hard to find things that are authentic, and I want to create memories, build one-of-a-kind experiences. My job is to find unique hotels around the world, hidden gems in incredible places. We go left when the tourists go right. One of a kind We have a Land Rover Defender that’s been customized by Bowler, a world-renowned rally-expedition company. It’s tough as nails and one of a kind, since they’re no longer produced. Momentum has launched a one-off trip, driving from London through to France, Switzerland and Italy, and staying in world-class accommodations – all while driving our bespoke, iconic Land Rover Defender. It’s such an incredible trip. adventure. An adventure is leaving your comfort zone, and when things don’t go to plan, it actually heightens the experience. The moments you really remember are the unplanned ones. We do have clients who want a personal expedition, but the majority of our clients want to do something different in a stunning environment. Tough times I don’t think there’s ever a bad Essential items A good set of underwear! And a picture of my family. Packing advice We take care of everything our clients need. But a good, warm jacket is always important. Staying warm

Inspiration I was born into the outdoor lifestyle. My late father would take me climbing and exploring, and he taught me everything I know today. It became my passion; it’s in my DNA. Epiphany moment Sitting on top of a mountain in the Himalayas and looking out at Mount Everest, watching glaciers cracking, which sounded like cannons exploding. It was such a simple, humbling yet incredibly powerful moment, and I felt truly content. I just wanted to bottle that feeling and create a business that made adventures accessible to everyone. Adventure travel has been tricky in the past – it was either extreme expeditions or soggy tents. I wanted to change this perception and create extraordinary trips. First adventure When I was 12, disappearing on my bicycle and trying to find my way back. There were no smartphones when I was a kid, so I had to read

the landscape. That was my first taste of disappearing, and it stays with you. My first real adventure was in the Arctic, about 17 years ago. It was wild and incredible. The Arctic has to be in my top five favorite places in the world. It’s just so quiet and beautiful. It’s very rare that we can be in a place that is so peaceful yet so powerful. Favorite place There always seems to be a new place to venture into. I’m currently a huge fan of British Columbia, especially Vancouver Island. I love the forests and the wildlife – bears, eagles, orca whales… It’s got everything you could possibly think of. I love countries like Morocco, going out to the Sahara, blasting around in a dune buggy. But engaging with the local culture and traditions is, for me, also important. Unforgettable experience I was on a trip in Iceland, which is such a vast, otherworldly environment. We were there in the winter, in the middle of nowhere, and I rappelled beneath the snowline into a lava

“It was –60° F above ground but so hot beneath. I went floating down this warm, crystal-clear river, looking up at the sky – full of stars and

dancing with the northern lights”