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Entrepreneur and adventure athlete Malcolm Wood tells Tatler about his most epic expeditions, and how facing nature's most formidable challenges inspired him to become a powerful voice in the fight against climate change
From single-handedly sailing through a storm as a teenager to climbing the world's tallest and most treacherous peaks as an adult, some might call Malcolm Wood a glutton for punishment.
But it was these epic encounters with nature that inspired Wood to live a life that's dedicated to raising awareness about the impact humans have had on climate change, and subsequently the impact that climate change will have on us if we don't take action.
On top of being a successful restaurateur—Wood is the founder of Maximal Concepts based in Hong Kong, which is behind The Aubrey and owns the global band Mott 32—Wood is also a film producer who has been involved in a number of international films about pressing environmental issues, including A Plastic Ocean (2016) and Imax presents The Last Glaciers (2022), both of which he produced with Craig Leeson.
Activism and bringing awareness to pressing social issues must run in the family. His half-sister is Tatler Hong Kong's January cover star, model Mia Kang, who uses her platform to speak up about eating disorders and mental health.
Below, Wood shares his most eye-opening adventures, and what it means to be a conscious traveller.
How did you get into the epic adventure travels that are you are now known for?
I had a super adventurous Dad. He put me on skis when I was two years old, and I was either on the water or in the mountains since I can remember. He was a good windsurfer and sailor, and I learned to do the same. We went for month-long trips on boats crossing storms and hundreds of miles off shore. [It's] crazy to think that my dad did this with his two sons! I also moved a lot as a kid, 18 times to be precise, before my mid twenties. Adventure has always been in my DNA.
You recently climbed Manaslu in Nepal. What was that experience like?
It was an amazing experience but also very difficult. The conditions this year were very complex due to the effects of climate change. We had 15 days of solid snow but it was so humid and heavy, making the mountain very dangerous. I teamed up with Nims Dai, and we were issued the very first permits to paraglide/speed fly from a Nepali 8000 metre mountain.
We were hoping to break a world record for the highest recorded speed flight and also open paragliding tourism in this area, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible this year due to the avalanche risk. We managed a flight from around 5500m so I can’t complain—having conducted the first ever permitted flights from these amazing mountains. Next year, I have plans to go to Everest and try for 8000m again.
What have these challenges taught you about yourself?
I think people look at what I do and can’t see how they can relate to it. It’s crazy, it’s risky—I view it as part of the game of life. We are always put in front of hard challenges and risky situations. This happens in your personal life, your professional career, when looking after your kids; we are constantly calculating risk. It’s not the risk we are seeking but the challenge to overcome the risk, manage the dangerous situation and stay safe. That is what is truly rewarding.
Paragliding is one of the most intellectual extreme sports and it takes a vast amount of learning, studying and practice to maintain a solid level of safety. This is the aspect of the sport I enjoy the most.
Can you share and describe three travel experiences that left a deep and meaningful impression on you?
Every time I have gone to Nepal on expeditions to climb high mountains, I am left with a great sense of wonder and appreciation for nature and human spirit. It's important to go to these areas for the right reasons and the right mindset. I can’t imagine anyone that climbs there doesn’t get touched by its raw beauty and power.
One trip that shaped me and my mindset for adventure are driving across Africa with my dad and brother. We went through Namibia and Botswana, we were super young. We spent almost a month on the road through some of the last wildest places on Earth. This is a trip I really want to do again with my kids, it was absolutely spectacular. Driving one week through the desert seeing the rarest lions in the world and the Okavango Delta teaming with life. This is as raw and as close as you can get to feeling connected to the planet.
Another was sailing down to Tobago trying to out-run a storm on a small boat with my siblings and father. Everyone was sick during the night when the hurricane caught up with us. I remember being around 17 years old and the only one not throwing up, and having to plot our course on a map during the night. We had no cell phones, no GPS, just a compass, a watch and the boat speed to navigate the old way.
You’ve been up close and personal with some of nature’s most formidable wonders. What has this taught you?
One word: respect. Anyone that knows me knows that I value my own life. I take my responsibilities of having kids with the utmost priority. You have to know exactly when to walk away, to turn around, to throw in the towel. Being humble and knowing your limits, and knowing the limits of nature, is key to being and explorer and adventurer.
Do you think we have lost our connection with nature? How can we rekindle this connection?
Yes, unfortunately, I think we have. It’s very hard for kids to relate to nature when they are not out playing in it. Learning about its beauty, its ability to give through nurturing and providing, and also its boundaries that need to be respected. This is one of my biggest drivers behind making environmental films.
I think kids living in cities have the biggest challenge, and Hong Kong is especially hard. Our films always try to bring that adventure and joy of connecting with nature into homes, classrooms and cinemas. With A Plastic Ocean we used free diving, with The Last Glaciers we used paragliding and my latest film The White Mountain we use skiing and climbing.
Getting out and being in nature, whether its walking in the park or going for a road trip, is the best way to rekindle that connection. All we need to do is really immerse ourselves in the moment and appreciate how truly beautiful the world around us is. When you stop rushing or being distracted by technology, and just look up and away from your phone, it’s easy to see how special our world really is!. There is beauty all around us – even in the middle of cities.
In your opinion, what are some of the most pressing issues surrounding climate change?
One of the biggest things that people don’t realise, which will affect a huge amount of the world population, is losing our glaciers. My last film, The Last Glaciers, tackles this issue and is one of the most comprehensive films ever produced about the relationship between climate change and glaciers. Glaciers provide water for over 1/3 of the world’s population so you can imagine what happens when we loose them.
For example, 90 per cent of the 30 million people in Peru are being supplied with water trapped in these glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca Range and the taps look like they will be turned off within our lifetime.
What are some ways in which people can become more responsible or conscious travellers?
Air travel is always going to have a significant impact on the planet but this can be offset by choosing to fly airlines that have a solid sustainability policy. For example, Cathay Pacific, who we partnered with on The Last Glaciers, is investing heavily in sustainable aviation fuel and have reduced single use plastic consumption.
It’s also extremely easy to choose to offset your carbon emissions when booking your tickets online these days and a must.
Also, if you are able to donate, planting trees is one of the best ways to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere and there are many apps out there that make this job easier at the click of a button—like EcoMatcher.
Aside from environmental impact, why is it important to give back to local communities in the places we visit?
Once you have arrived in a new country, it’s really important to respect local communities and cultures. Try to integrate within them and support local businesses. Being aware of the challenges faced by others and being sympathetic to this helps to bring us closer together.
It's super important to understand that some countries depend of tourism. For example, Nepal’s derives 90 per cent of its GDP from incoming tourists.
Some of these places have a host of problems due to being under funded, and now some of the poorer countries will have to deal with the fall out of climate change [from] richer counties. Anything we can do to support locally, we always should.
All we need to do is really immerse ourselves in the moment and appreciate how truly beautiful the world around us is.
What, to you, does it mean to travel with purpose?
I love this quote… "As we advance through life you cross difficult times, but in fighting the difficulties the innermost strength of the heart is developed. When you are feeling like you are failing remember the grenades you have crushed, the mountains you have conquered, the setbacks you have overcome and all the battle you have won. Remember those that stood by your side during these times. This journey through life can be rough, hard, and bleak at times… I know, but still with courage you climb. This strength you have built will take you to places you never thought were possible."
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
