Xtreme Everest

Sign up to hear more Xtreme Everest – a long‑term opportunity focused on leadership, endurance, and teamwork through an advanced expedition involving Army Cadets and our national ambassador, Jordan Wylie MBE.

Xtreme Everest is an ambitious new project led by Army Cadets National Ambassador, Jordan Wylie MBE, combining extreme adventure with a powerful youth development mission. The journey will begin at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, before crossing thousands of miles overland through the Middle East and Asia to Nepal. The project will culminate in an attempt to summit Mount Everest, one of the world’s greatest physical and mental challenges.

A defining feature of Xtreme Everest is its commitment to young people. Ten cadets from across the UK will be selected to join the project for the Everest Base Camp phase, gaining a unique opportunity to experience the Himalayas while developing leadership, resilience and teamwork skills.

The project will also support ACCT y DU, helping to create new opportunities for cadets nationwide. Through educational content, behind-the-scenes insights and leadership lessons, young people will be able to follow the journey in real time. Xtreme Everest aims to show that extraordinary achievements are within reach for anyone with determination, curiosity and the courage to try.

Selection Criteria

Because of safety, risk, insurance, school commitments and overall impact, we do have to set some very clear criteria for applicants.

Selection criteria: 

  • Be in Year 10 or equivalent right now at school 
  • That means you’ll be at least 16 by the time of the expedition in April 2028, and no older than 17. 
  • Have been an Army Cadet in the ACF or CCF Army Section for at least one year 
  • Achieved 1-star level 
  • Commitment to stay in cadets until at least 2029 
  • Application approved by parent/guardian 
  • Application supported by detachment commander or contingent commander 
  • Available on key dates over 2-year period 
  • Be physically, mentally and medically fit to be able to take on an extreme expedition.  

Essential criteria: 

  • Currently serving in the ACF or CCF Army
  • Fit, physically strong, mentally resilient 
  • Have been a CFAV for at least 2 years with experience in safely managing groups 
  • Application supported by Commandant/Contingent Commander 
  • Available for 2-year commitment (significant time investment) 
  • Commitment to be available on key dates

Advantageous experience: 

  • Mountain leader qualification with experience of leading at altitude 
  • DofE assessor 
  • Navigation skills 

Got questions?

Ten Army Cadets will join Jordan in Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp, before he attempts to summit the world’s highest peak.

Xtreme Everest is a flagship project led by Jordan, placing Army Cadets at the heart of an extraordinary expedition and showcasing what young people can achieve through determination and teamwork.

Ten pre-selected cadets will earn a place on a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to Everest Base Camp, joining Jordan in Kathmandu, Nepal.

ACF and CCF Army cadets and adult volunteers can apply from the 1st of June 2026 until the 1st of July 2026 via Westminster using the code 26/1195826 

All applicants need to request that their Detachment Commander, SSI or Contingent Commander apply on their behalf by adding them to the event. 

There is no actual application form. Bookings are made through your detachment or contingent on the Westminster event 26/1195826. Further details of the process can be found on CBN 26/027 on both the Cadet Portal and Westminster event.   

While the event is viewable on Cadet Portal and MyCadet, you can only book onto the event on Westminster using the code 26/1195826.  

Details of the process can be found on CBN 26/027 on both the Cadet Portal and Westminster event 26/1195826.   

Referrals must be given using this form by 17 July. 

Speak to your Detachment Commander, SSI or Contingent Commander i check your information on Westminster is correct.  

Easter holidays 2028 – dates to be confirmed. Be aware part of the trip will likely fall outside of the school holidays. 

Initial selection: 25-30 October 2026, Location TBC, to select 20 Army Cadets and 6 CFAVs to continue training. 

Development Training: 21-26 March 2027 at CCAT Halton 

Readiness Training: October 2027 Half Term, Location TBC, to select the final 10 Army Cadets and 3 CFAVs. 

Virtual meetings will take place between the in-person training from October 2026  onwards.  

All selection events and training are mandatory. 

If a cadet or CFAV cannot attend the training and selection events, they cannot be considered. 

Having a medical condition does not prevent someone from applying.  

Applicants are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, skills, and personal qualities when preparing their application. Experiences gained through cadets, teamwork, leadership, and other activities can all demonstrate the value they would bring to the expedition. 

The application process is also an opportunity to consider personal goals, future aspirations, and how the experience could contribute to personal development. Candidates should think about the skills they hope to gain and why taking part is important to them. 

Above all, a positive attitude is considered one of the most important qualities. While qualifications and experience matter, enthusiasm, resilience, self-awareness, and a commitment to core values are seen as key factors in making a strong application and succeeding in the opportunity. 

Exact date to be confirmed but it will be in September 2026. 

There’s no cost to the Everest Base Camp expedition. This has been fully funded thanks to some amazing sponsors and partners of Jordan Wylie & Army Cadets HQ. 

Additional travel costs are expected around the UK based events: 

Initial selection: 25-30 October 2026 at location TBC to select 20 Army Cadets and 6 CFAVs to continue training. 

Development Training: 21-26 March 2027 at CCAT Halton 

Readiness Training: October 2027 Half Term, Location TBC 

Cadet and adults will need to travel to these events at their own expense. The events themselves are fully funded (e.g. meals, activities and equipment). 

Cadets and CFAVs should contact their chain of command in the first instance to request assistance with their travel costs. If cadets need to meet this cost personally and it is beyond their means (or the means of their family) they would be eligible to approach their respective cadet charity for grant support. For Army Cadets this will be ACCT UK, for CCF Army cadetiaid this will be the Combined Cadet Force Association (CCFA).   

All cadets and adult volunteers participating in the Everest Base Camp expedition will be insured through ACCT UK’s bespoke travel insurance, tailored to cadet activity, at no additional cost. 

Prospective applicants should not rule themselves out because they feel they lack fitness or experience. The selection process places greater emphasis on attitude, motivation, and a positive mindset, as fitness and expedition skills can be developed through training. 

To prepare, applicants are encouraged to build healthy habits, spend more time walking and hiking, and maintain their overall wellbeing. They should also be honest in their application and start thinking about why they want to take part, what the opportunity means to them, and what they could contribute to the team.  

The expedition is seen as more than a trek; it is an opportunity to step outside one’s comfort zone, develop confidence and resilience, gain lifelong skills, and experience a unique culture. Those who are interested are encouraged to apply and embrace the challenge. 

Yes, the Army Cadets and Tribal Tracks will provide successful applicants a training guide. 

To prepare, applicants are encouraged to build healthy habits, spend more time walking and hiking, and maintain their overall wellbeing. 

No specialist equipment is required for the initial selection. Any specialist kit that is required by cadets and CFAVs will be provided. Participants will be required to provide their own next to skin items and appropriate footwear (Army boots are acceptable).  

Cadet Application Questions

Xtreme Everest is open to ACF and CCF Army cadets and adult volunteers. 

Applicants must be in year 10 now so that is typically ages 14 and 15. At the time of the expedition (April 2028), they need to be aged 16 or 17.  

Applicants must be in year 10 now, this takes priority  

For Scotland, we will consider applications from cadets who are either 16 or 17 at the time of the expedition in April 2028.  

The equivalent to Year 10 in Northern Ireland is Year 11. 

Yes, your detachment commander or contingent commander should be told that you have applied. As part of the selection process, they will be asked for a statement of support for your application for the expedition. 

While a DofE expedition experience would be beneficial, this is not part of the selection criteria.  

You need to have achieved 1-star level to apply. 

Jordan Wylie is an Army Cadet Ambassador raising funds for the Army Cadets’ charity, ACCT UK.  

If you are from another cadet section, the RAFAC, the Royal Navy or the Royal Marines, encourage your ambassadors to take on a similar challenge!  

Yes, the training and expedition will enable participants to complete elements of the Army Cadet Syllabus.  

Elements of the training will count towards sections of the Gold DofE.  

It is not a requirement, but it may help your application. 

No, but they will need to be mentally and physically fit to take on the challenge. 

Adult Volunteer Application Questions

No, this is only open to ACF and CCF Army. 

Yes, your county commandant or contingent commander should be told that you have applied. As part of the selection process, they will be asked for a statement of your eligibility for the expedition. 

No, there is no age limit for CFAVs. If rydych chi fit enough, have the skills angenrheidiol and show the commitment angenrheidiol, byddwch chi be considered.  

Ie, CFAVs need to have a Hill and Moorland Leader Qualification to apply. 

Yes, a CFAV can apply. However, a CFAV holding a Hill and Moorland Leader stands a stronger chance of being selected.  

Yes, you can apply if you are a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer within the ACF or CCF Army who was previously a veteran. 

No, you need to be a UK Cadet Force Adult Volunteer within the ACF or CCF Army. 

No, this is only open to ACF and CCF Army. 

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