Supporting young people take on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to Nepal
Monday 27 April 2026 – The Ulysses Trust is proud to support army cadets taking part in the cadet element of the newly announced Xtreme Everest expedition, led by adventurer Jordan Wylie MBE — a Ulysses Trust Ambassador and Army Cadets National Ambassador. As part of the project, ten cadets from across the UK will take on a fully funded trek in Nepal to Everest Base Camp in April 2028, developing confidence, resilience and leadership in one of the world’s most iconic mountain environments.
Ulysses Trust CEO, Polly Marsh, said:
“The Ulysses Trust is absolutely thrilled to be the sponsor for the Cadet Expedition to Everest Base Camp, led by our Cadet Ambassador, Jordan Wylie MBE. With our founding expedition being a Reserve Forces attempt on Everest in 1992, this milestone highlights how far we have come as a charity – now supporting cadets on a similarly ambitious journey. This inspirational challenge reflects everything we stand for: pushing boundaries, building resilience and confidence, and enabling young people to discover what they are truly capable of, as captured in the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson – ‘to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.’”
The expedition will take Jordan from the Dead Sea (–430 m) across land and sea to Nepal, building towards a 2028 summit attempt on Mount Everest (8,848 m). As part of his journey, the cadet team will join Jordan for a carefully planned trek from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp (EBC) — with all cadets and cadet force adult volunteers (CFAVs) supported by the Ulysses Trust, so that cost is not a barrier to participation.
Jordan Wylie, a Ulysses Trust Ambassador, is known to many from Channel 4’s Hunted and Celebrity Hunted. He is using the EBC expedition to shine a light on what young people can achieve with the right support — and to widen access to challenging, formative experiences that build self-belief and practical life skills.
“This is about more than reaching the top of the world,” said Wylie. “It’s about helping others realise what they’re capable of. We will be opening the doors to opportunity for those young people from the most challenging backgrounds and some of the hardest to reach areas across the UK.”
The Ulysses Trust will be supporting the cadet team to undertake the EBC expedition — reinforcing a shared commitment to adventure as a force for personal development. The Trust is being supported by two sponsors: Team Forces and Army Sport. Both have supported the Trust for many years to enable cadets to undertake expeditions in the UK and overseas, and we are delighted that they are increasing their support to help fund this groundbreaking expedition.
Team Forces CEO Major General Lamont Kirkland CBE said:
“Team Forces is proud to stand as a headline supporter of the Cadet Everest Base Camp Expedition 2028 — an initiative that represents the very best of what cadet forces can achieve through challenge and opportunity. Set against one of the world’s most iconic locations, this programme provides a powerful platform for developing resilience, leadership and confidence in young people from across the UK, while embodying the values we champion — ambition, teamwork and personal growth through adversity.
We are honoured to play a key role in enabling an experience that will have a lasting impact not only on the cadets who take part but also on the wider cadet community and the future leaders they represent.”
Chief Executive of Army Sport, Major General (Retd) Darrell Amison CBE, said:
“Army Sport is proud to support the Army Cadet Force and the cadets participating in the Cadet expedition to Everest Base Camp. Such challenging activity develops physical and mental fitness, leadership, and teamwork. The expedition will also foster purpose, cohesion, the ability to thrive under pressure, promote continual learning and the courage to overcome fear. Through their determination and will to succeed, the cadets will be more resilient and better prepared to face future challenges. As they start their preparations, we wish them all the very best.”
Ten cadets — one from each UK region, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — will be selected to take part in the Nepal expedition. They will join Jordan to trek from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp and will not be climbing Mount Everest.
The cadets’ Nepal programme will include:
- A fully funded trek from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp
- Hands-on experience in a world-class expedition environment
- Opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork and resilience skills
The wider cadet community will also be able to follow the journey through educational content, leadership lessons and behind-the-scenes access, helping bring the expedition to life in units and communities across the UK.-The project also offers a chance to explain what the Army Cadets is: a youth organisation focused on personal development, skills and opportunity — not a recruitment route into the Army.
Whilst cadets on the EBC expedition will raise funds for The Ulysses Trust, Jordan will use the wider expedition to raise funds for the Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK (ACCT UK) – both charities helping more cadets access life-changing opportunities.
Over the next two years, Wylie will be undertaking extensive training in the UK, the Alps and the Himalayas.
The entire journey will be documented through a dedicated YouTube series, with fortnightly episodes capturing every stage of the expedition — from preparation to the final ascent.
To follow updates on the expedition and the cadets’ journey to Everest Base Camp, visit www.xtremeeverest.com
