Project LIMITLESS: One Man’s Odyssey from the English Channel to the R – VALLON®

May 12, 2025 | Words By Victoria Bushnell

He swam, cycled, ran and hiked to Everest. And then, he climbed it. How Mitch Hutchcraft turned a dream into a 13,000km reality.

We are incredibly proud to have supported VALLON Trailblazer, Mitch Hutchcraft on his 8-month journey from the coast of England to the top of the world:

Project LIMITLESS has been a true testament to human endurance, resilience, and purpose. Embarking on an epic triathlon to Mount Everest (Chomolungma), Mitch combined swimming, cycling, running, hiking, and mountaineering over 13,000 gruelling kilometers to achieve what he dreamed would be the longest-ever summit of Mount Everest.

The Genesis of Project LIMITLESS

Mitch's inspiration stemmed from a desire to link two formidable challenges together: swimming the English Channel and summiting Mount Everest. 14 years ago standing at Everest Base Camp, Mitch made a silent promise to himself that he would be back one day to climb the full height of the tallest mountain in the world.

This vision evolved into Project LIMITLESS, a mission not only to test his physical boundaries, but also to raise awareness and funds for mental health and wildlife conservation through the charity, SAVSIM.

“I’ve done some mad adventures in the past, but this was by far the biggest challenge of my life.”

Stage 1: The Everest Ascent That Started in the Ocean

On September 14, 2024, Mitch commenced his journey with a grueling 34-kilometer swim across the English Channel. Facing treacherous conditions, he was one of only two swimmers out of ten to complete the crossing that day, marking the first major milestone of his expedition.

VALLON Trailblazer Mitch Hutchcraft wears Watchtowers cycling sunglasses as he cycles from France to India

Stage 2: 19 Countries. One Insane Cycling Adventure

Following the swim, Mitch embarked on an 11,929-kilometer cycling adventure from Calais, France traversing 19 countries including Turkey, Iraq, and India. This leg of the project was fraught with challenges such as visa issues, extreme weather, and physical tolls - including a 7kg weight loss. But, in spite of these hurdles, Mitch's determination saw him through to Digha, India.

Stage 3: A Marathon A Day

From Digha, Mitch ran approximately 900 kilometers to Kathmandu, Nepal - averaging a marathon a day. This phase tested his limits with blisters, profound leg pain, and food poisoning for him and his team. Despite much hobbling and trudging in the relentless heat of the Indian subcontinent, Mitch was determined to continue on foot and this stage rewarded him by revealing some of the journey’s most incredible spectacles - including one-in-144-year local festivals, incredible natural beauty, and countless displays of human kindness.

Mitch Hutchcraft wears VALLON Watchtowers sunglasses while hiking and during his ultra trail marathon through India and Nepal

Stage 4: No helicopters. No shortcuts. Just the hard way.

Upon reaching Kathmandu, Mitch undertook a 350-kilometer trek to Everest Base Camp, renewed energy brought to him by a team of enthusiastic trekkers that joined him for this leg of the challenge, and the trusted guidance of AGA Adventures - including VALLON Trailblazers, Adriana Brownlee and Gelje Sherpa.

This stage involved acclimatization climbs, including summiting Lobuche East (6,119 m), preparing him for the final ascent. This stage offered both breathtaking vistas, and the sobering realities of high-altitude mountaineering - including crossing treacherous ice bridges, facing relentless winds, snow and cold temperatures, and the challenges of survival at high-altitude.

“We were completely at the mercy of Mother Nature - but after over 13,000km of travel nothing was standing between me and the summit.”

Stage 5: Standing on the Roof of the World

With over 13,000 kilometers behind him, Mitch faced the ultimate challenge: summiting Mount Everest. Collaborating with Gelje Sherpa and a team of experienced climbers, he navigated the perilous Khumbu Icefall and prepared for the ascent to the 8,849-meter summit. This final leg encapsulated the essence of Project LIMITLESS - pushing beyond perceived boundaries to achieve the extraordinary.

“After over 220 days racing from England to the top of Mount Everest, we finally made it - fulfilling a dream and a promise that I made to myself at the age of 18.”

Mitch Hutchcraft wears Heron Glacier mountaineering sunglasses for Lobuche East and at Everest Base Camp as he prepares to summit Mount Everest

Eyewear That Made the Difference

“I couldn’t have done it without the kit that kept me safe the whole way - making the difference between life and death.”

Throughout his grueling 13,000km journey from the English Channel to the summit of Mount Everest, VALLON high-performance eyewear played a crucial role in helping Mitch endure the elements in every country he traversed, across the seasons. Whether he was braving dust and glare cycling across sun-scorched Middle Eastern roads, hiking new plains and passes, or shielding his eyes from the blinding snow and UV intensity of high-altitude Himalayan ascents, Mitch relied on VALLON's sunglasses and glacier goggles to stay protected and focused.

Designed for athletes and adventurers who operate in the harshest environments, our eyewear provided exceptional optical clarity, anti-fog durability, and UV protection - giving Mitch the edge he needed on every leg of his expedition.

One Goal. One Mission.

Beyond this incredible personal achievement, Mitch's expedition was always centred around supporting SAVSIM, a charity dedicated to aiding veterans through nature-based therapies and wildlife conservation. His journey highlighted the profound impact of combining adventure with altruism, inspiring others to pursue their dreams while making a difference.

“It was one of the toughest things ever. But it was never just about reaching the summit - it was about proving that with purpose, resilience, and the right people behind you, even the most impossible challenge is not beyond our limits.”