Tony Howard

Climber, author and photographer with a long history of exploration from the Arctic to the Antarctic but especially the UK, Norway, Middle East and North Africa. Ex-instructor & guide; outdoor magazine contributor; Partner and designer in Troll Climbing Equipment, 1965-95. On British first ascent of Europe's highest, steepest north face, Norway's Troll Wall in 1965. In 1979 conceived the design of the climber's sit-harness now in common use. Together with Di Taylor, discovered Wadi Rum and it's climbing and trekking potential in 1984 and on completion of a guide to trekking in Jordan, had the idea for a country length Jordan Trail in 1999. Having played a major role in the creation of what became a 670km award winning trek they participated in it's Official Inaugural Thru-Walk in 2017.

Professional Activities

Partner with Di Taylor in n.o.m.a.d.s (New Opportunities for Mountaineering, Adventure and Desert Sports) consultancy specialising in exploration, development and promotion of environmentally and socially aware adventure tourism. Consultant for various organisations in the Middle East, North Africa and India concerned with climbing, trekking and adventure tourism. Contributor to Adventure Travel, Al Reem (Journal of Jordanís Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature), American & British Alpine Journals, Descent, Climber, TGO, TTG (Middle East & North Africa), In Focus (Tourism Concern), Jordaniana (Anglo-Jordan Society), JO and I magazines (Jordan & Royal Jordanian In-flight), Africa Travel (UK & International), World Voyager (Russia), Lonely Planet, Rough Guides and DK Eye Witness Guides, BMI Voyager, UK Climbing and UK Hiking etc.

Recent Publications

GuidebooksClassic Norway – Climbs, Scrambles & Walks in Romsdal, Norway
Treks & Climbs in Wadi Rum, Jordan 
Jordan – Walks, Treks, Caves, Climbs & Canyons 
Walks in Palestine & the Nativity Trail
Walks, Treks, Climbs & Caves, Al Ayoun, Jordan
Books Troll Wall – the untold story of the British first ascent of Europe’s tallest rock face ("One of the greatest ever achievements by British climbers", Joe Brown)
Quest into the Unknown, “a life of adventure that is the very definition of true exploration”, ("An excellent read from a man who has changed the face of adventure travel, Chris Bonington).
Adventures in the Northlands (Kindle). 

Award “Quest into the Unknown” was Highly Commended by the OWPG (Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild). The judges noted that, “It reads like the outline for a film, a detailed and sometimes deeply personal account of a life spent in the singular pursuit of new climbing and outdoor adventures, spanning the globe and bridging the gap between the old world of make do and mend crag rats and the modern world of sport climbing and trekking.”

"Troll Wall" Jury’s Special Award for Norwegian Mountain Literature, 2011, at the Romsdal Mountain Festival. See https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/news/index/2011-07-28—troll-wall-wins-in-norway.html The Italian translation and publication by Versant Sud of Troll Wall, title La Montagna dei Folletti won the 2013 ITAS Mountain Book Award at the Trento Mountain Film Festival. See https://www.versantesud.it/italiano/dettaglio_rampicanti.asp?id=352 also at the Tolmezzo Mountain Festival, 2014.