Aldo Kane is an adventurer in extreme and hostile locations and former Royal Marines Commando Sniper. He has filmed TV shows in over 100 countries and also runs Vertical Planet, a company providing technical safety consultation and risk management for TV and Film crews.
What attracted you to travel?
I hadn’t really travelled abroad much before I joined the Royal Marines at the age of 16. Within a year or two of joining, I had sailed around the world and become an expert in operating in the world’s most remote and inhospitable environments. Since then I have had an unquenchable desire to see the world and carve a career out of adventure.
How do you remain safe when travelling to high-risk areas?
High risk, hostile and remote locations can be made safer by planning and mitigation. The biggest part of my job is to identify a hazard, its associated risk and take appropriate actions to mitigate the threat. Every country is different. The biggest help is to always maintain situational awareness.
Where did you last travel to?
I have just returned from Borneo. It was the last of 10 Expeditions we have been filming for the BBC and UKTV.
Is it hard to settle back into reality after an adventure?
Yes, there is always a decompression period for me after expeditions. Even just getting used to sleeping in a bed, having water in the tap that’s drinkable and heat at the flick of a switch.
What has been your most frightening experience abroad?
I’ve had a few near misses and scrapes over the last few years. Recently, I was caught in a rock fall incident in Oman and a fairly serious crash in Mexico. Car travel is the most dangerous thing I do.
And the strangest?
Sat inside an active volcano in the Congo, at night watching it erupt. It was truly magical and terrifying at the same time.
What's your dream destination?
I’ve never been to Alaska or Chile – I would love to go to Patagonia.
What's your in-flight entertainment pick?
I rarely watch films. I find flying quite a creative process and am often found writing, planning talks or daydreaming looking at the map.
What's your indispensable travel gadget?
A water filter.
Is it difficult to travel with equipment?
We often fly with 30 to 40 peli cases and bags. This can be quite problematic and troublesome. Usually the best way to do this is to have a dedicated person from the airline to be on hand throughout the whole process. Most times, this works really well.
