PICKLES
To some he was Coach Pickles to others he was Pickles, Will or William and to his amusement he was listed as Sir William hikesalot in my phone. Will was one of a kind. I don’t think any of us will ever meet anyone like him ever again. He’s left a huge hole in all our hearts, but he has also left so much good behind.
He infected us all with his energy, passion and drive, and it was impossible not to be swept up by his lust for life and adventure. From PenYFan and the Jurrassic Coast to Everest Base Camp…He’sthe one that got us all up and out on the mountains and in the elements achieving things we all thought were out of reach all while having the most fun doing it. The impact that he had on every single person that he met is incredible and I’m not sure he ever truly realised just how much he meant to everyone. He was always so modest and humble.
And it is hard to fully explain to you the impact that he had on the community that he created. Some of you will have probably seen the posts and outpouring of love for him on social media over the last week so I’m going to read out some of what others posted about him now.
Will was one of those guys who you just gravitate towards. He had an infectious energy and everyone around him felt it. The brightest light in so many of our lives. This man brought hundreds of people together and gave them a new lease of life. He took us places we never thought we would go. We built the most amazing friendships and have the most amazing memories. Taken too soon in an accident that we can never understand. I can’t believe you’re gone. Shine bright up there.
Your charisma, wit, banter, impeccably groomed beard and those remarkably short shorts painted you as a larger than life personality, unforgettable to all. You possessed a unique ability to instil a sense of security, convincing everyone, that with the right mindset, any goal was within reach.
The outdoor community has lost a shining light. His passion for the outdoors and helping others achieve their goals was monumental.
This man was a joy to be with, a glow that resonated from him and his kindness oozed from him.
The passing of Will has left a profound impact on us all. It’s difficult to put into words just how much he meant to so many people. His dedication to making a difference was unparalleled. He had a way of greeting everyone with a genuine smile and warm embrace, making us feel valued and supported. He created a sense of community and brought people together. As we grieve his loss, let us also celebrate his life and the incredible legacy he leaves behind. Let us honour him by continuing his work, spreading kindness and making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
He helped me find my place in the world. The community that he created meant that I made the most incredible friends and he supported both me and my business from the moment I met him.
I trusted him wholly and completely, and would have followed him up a mountain anywhere. He was so talented and knowledgeable. He’d never lead us into danger and always made sure that we were safe, which I think is what makes the accident all the more painful. I’m so grateful that I was with Will in his last minutes. Knowing that he was with friends, doing the thing he loved makes things that little bit easier. But I’m also overwhelmingly devastated. I just can’t believe that we lost him.
The one that was always there for everyone and to answer all and every question (even the stupid ones) we will dearly miss you mate, you were one in a million. Never above you, never below you, always beside you.
He was a beacon of passion and courage in the mountains. His love for the trails and beauty in nature was infectious. Every step was a testament to his spirit. He wasfearless and driven.
What he lacked in height, he made up for in charisma. Fast paced, jolly, witty, sarcastic and arguably a gobby fucker at times. But a heart made of gold. Taken early but lived more in the short time he had than many will in 8o years. This chapter may be closed, but the book remains open. People’s unwritten pages of the future will remain to be shaped by him for many years to come.
Your drive, passion and friendship will forever live on.
Everyone who met him will know his amazing sense of humour and how his personality and love of what he did brought so many people together.
There are only a few people you come across in life who have the ability to bring energy and positivity into any environment. They see beyond the fear, jealousy and greed that grips humanity. They are a force that binds people together; that inspire comradeship and commitment; they are beacons of hope, fuelled by a love of life and the people around them. We’ve lost a great man, an unbeatable human being and the most loyal of friends.
I’m not ready to say goodbye. William was our friend, our brother, our expedition leader but most of all an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of crossing paths with him. He was full of love, life and the best encouraging banter, with the sexiest irish accent to go along with it. You’ll always hold a special part in all of our hearts and will be with us on every adventure we partake in.
Will helped and touched the hearts of so many of us, and I know he will be missed by us all. I’m so grateful for a year full of summits, road trips, waterfalls and basecamp.
Team 83 gave me some of my closest friends, all thanks to Will. Our little group spoke with him every single day, and he always had a way to make us laugh. The only one who could get away with his next level humour and endless banter. Will was so happy the night before, we all ate Chinese together, and played games that had him belly laughing. Will was such an amazing friend, one of a kind and will never be forgotten. I’m honoured to have stepped out onto the mountains with Will and our little team Saturday morning. He really was doing what he loved. But for now lets remember that cracking laugh he had, the obsessive love of weatherspoons and the motivation he was able to deliver to all day in, day out. Sleep tight Will, Thankyou for everything. We were so lucky to have had you in our lives. Your loss has left us heartbroken, but I promise we will keep marching in your name. Lots of love from us all, you really will be missed forever.
Heartbroken doesn’t even come close.
My coach, my hiking buddy, my good friend.
We shared so many memories and there were so many more still to come. His humour always made me smile.
A legend of a man that helped so many people.
He built a community around us full of love and support. He changed my life in so many ways and I will be forever grateful.
Will brought so much more to the community he created than he ever would have known or taken credit for. He changed people’s lives, built lifelong friendships and relationships just through this incredible community.
He has left behind a huge legacy and huge place in many hearts. You will never be forgotten, we will continue to hike in your memory.
We had unreal amounts of fun and I’ll cherish those memories for life. I’ll miss your infectious laugh, your brilliant sense of humour, you’re charm, cheekiness, zest for life and handsome face. I’m so proud of what you achieved over the last few years. You went out and did what you loved and that takes balls.
Will was one of the most selfless, caring, funny and straight-talking blokes I know. His Irish humour always cracked me up, but he also had a massive heart and would do anything to help anyone.
A gentleman who took so many under his ginormous wing and asked for nothing in return. Building a community, one of utmost fun, support and unlimited laughter. You’ve left a legacy behind that will baffle me for the rest of time. You took me places, supported me. And were instrumental in the success of my story. All whilst providing some of the funniest banter I’ve ever known. I forward the lessons you taught me. I carry the strength and resilience you helped me build. I may have been taller than you in stature, but you are a titan amongst human kind.
Working alongside pickles never felt like work. He had a heart of gold, supporting charities and lighting up the lives of everyone he met.
Our last messages were full of plans for future meet-ups, now cherished memories.
Your absence leaves a void that no words can fill.
Pickles, may you hike high in the heavens. I’ll miss your stupid voicenotes with an irish accent that I couldn’t understand.
A true gentleman of life. Always at the end of the line for a chat, always quick-witted with a non pc remark that in any situation would bring a smile to everyone’s face. A person who through being himself, a genuine kind, caring thoughtful human has brought together hundreds and hundreds of people from all areas of life for effectively arduous torture and we all keep coming back. A true gentleman and embodied what it meant to be a leader. I achieved things I never could have done without him. His banter, love for all things sweet and inspirational attitude will stay with me forever. You changed the lives of thousands of people. Such an inspirational person to me. Your morale will forever be as high as the clouds. Your laughter, wicked sense of humour and kind spirit will be greatly missed. You brought a lot of joy. You died doing what you loved, lived life fully and most importantly impacted countless lives.
An inspiration to so many and a role model for many more.
Will had a wicked sense of humour that we all loved and has us all crying with laughter wherever we were even when the rain was vertical and the paths were steep. He wasn’t afraid of telling hard truths either. He’d hilariously and brutally tell a new hiker that his trousers were too tight without thinking twice, he’d call us out when we weren’t pushing as hard as he knew we could and was the first to convince people that they needed a passport to get into Wales. Together we convinced Mollie that she needed a Visa to get into Scotland so I could hear him laughing in my head when she ask me earlier in the week if we’d need euros for today. His spirit will without a doubt fuel and inspire our future adventures even though it feels impossible to imagine things without him at the moment. It will take time but when we’re ready we’ll continue the adventures he’d have taken us on and live life as fully as he did. I saw an old caption on Will’s Instagram a few days ago and it’s something I’m going to remind myself of over the few next days and weeks it said “Smile and I’ll smile with you.” So when we’re ready, lets smile, remember the banter and laughs we all had and continue on the path like he would have wanted us to.
So, Sir William Hikesalot. We thank you for everything you did for us. You will forever be in our hearts, we loved you and you will continue to inspire and drive us until the end of time.