As Ed struggled with the challenge he had chosen, one person in particular struggled to watch the footage. We interviewed Ed's partner Amanda to find out more about what motivates the man behind the camera and what it's like to live with someone for whom action, adventure and personal quests are a part of daily life.
Q. How did you meet Ed and how long have you been together?
We met through work 8 years ago.
Q. When Ed first mentioned the possibility of taking part in this programme, what did you say to him and how did he respond?
We're always coming up with programme ideas together and Ed's been talking about testing himself in extreme environments for a long time. The wilds of Alaska and the forests of the wilderness had always held a particular appeal - so we'd already discussed the possibility of him doing something like this. In a way it was perfect synergy.
Of course I'm always worried when Ed takes up a challenge like this – but we discuss the risks and I think it helps that I understand how the process of making television works. I've got used to him being away for long periods of time. Mostly I just feel very proud of him.
Q. What did you think Ed would miss most while stuck out in the Yukon?
I knew he'd miss eating well – and simple things like laughing with friends or getting a hug. He mentioned both these things in his video clips.
But one of the most difficult things about this trip was that we couldn't communicate. Not being able to give him my support was very tough – for both of us.
Q. What do you think Ed feared most about extreme solitude?
I don't think he had any fear about it. Whenever he heads off on an adventure like this part of his ability to push himself is about putting fears to the back of his mind. I think he was prepared as much as he could be – but not fearful.
Q. Which aspect of Ed's personality did you miss the most?
I think it's clear from the footage how warm and engaging Ed is - but he's also very funny. Given the seriousness of his venture there weren't too many opportunities for humour - but if I'm honest, I missed him making me laugh more than anything else.
Q. Ed talks about the moment he decided to do one extraordinary thing a year for as long as possible, why do you think he pushes himself to extremes?
Ed's been making lists of the things he wants to achieve in his life as long as I've known him. He constantly sets himself goals and then pursues them diligently. I think for Ed this is what living is about. He thinks that people are constantly limiting their experience of life by not pushing themselves hard enough – and that we are often surprised by what we can achieve when we set our minds to something. He believes we can all achieve extraordinary things.
Q. Have you ever joined him for a major adventure?
Just living with Ed is a major adventure! - but yes we've done a few things together. We went travelling around South America for 5 months a few years ago and that's where I did some of my first serious mountain climbing with him in the Andes. I’d never done any mountain climbing until I met Ed.
We did a 5 day trek in Chile to climb a volcano but bad weather came in the night before we were due to summit and in the end he went without me. It was a pretty terrifying night with the tent being lashed by hailstones and strong winds. We used huge rocks to stop the tent from being blown away. Needless to say we didn't get any sleep. Ed admitted afterwards that if the tent had been ripped apart, he'’d planned to wrap me in my sleeping bag and hold me down with rocks... so he could then go and get help!
Ed climbed Ojos Del Salado – the highest volanco in the world at 7,000 meters that year – and I climbed a few different peaks reaching 5000 meters at the highest.
Q. When was the last time you went on holiday together/ where did you go and what did you get up to?
I joke that whenever we go on holiday that it's always a round-trip to a mountain for Ed. He thinks it's always a round-trip to a beach for me. So on our last holiday we tried to do both.
We went to Kenya over Christmas for 5 weeks. Ed spent some time learning to kite surf, which he's done a bit of in Brazil and Vietnam – and I got my (windy) beach time. Then we climbed Mount Kenya together.
Q. Ed once described himself as a bit of a loner, is this how you view him and do you think he would still describe himself as such?
I knew Ed would miss his family and friends. Although he's comfortable being on his own, he's not as anti-social as he thinks he is. I think he’s surprised at just how much he missed human contact.
Q. If you could describe Ed in three words, what would they be?
Inspiring, determined and gentle.
Q. Where were you and, what were you doing when you heard that Ed was coming home?
I was on holiday in Seville. Luckily I was flying home the next day – so I was there to meet him at the airport.
Q. Were you surprised that Ed didn't stay for three months?
I knew that the only thing that would cause Ed to leave would be either an emergency or lack of food. It was difficult to watch the footage knowing that the food available for him to hunt and forage was in short supply. So when it became clear that the salmon weren't running as expected, I knew it would be impossible for him to stay.
Three months was an arbitrary amount of time that he chose to take him through the changing seasons. I wanted him to stay as long as he felt he was getting something out of the experience – and I trusted him to make the right call if it was time to stop. Ed pushes himself harder than anyone else I know - so when I got the news, I knew that he must have felt the risks were way too high to continue.
Q. What has Ed been doing to relax since he returned home?
Eating – a lot! and sleeping. He particularly enjoyed our visit to the supermarket this weekend.
