Para-Monte trustee, Dr Ash Willmott, presents research and outlines the charity at a symposium in France.

Ash was invited to an international symposium in Prémanon, France, where he presented and continued to fly the flag for Para-Monte.

There were more than 110 attendees exploring heat, hypoxia, pollution and applied sports performance at the Environmental Stress & Performance Symposium.

Ash presented his latest work on Environmental Extremes Education (EnviroXEd), where the presentation highlighted heat and altitude knowledge and misinformation. Large numbers of low‑land hikers visit regions of high altitude across the world, from Cuzco in Peru, the European Alps and Kilimanjaro to the Himalayas, without understanding the risks of altitude travel, the symptoms of acute mountain sickness, or what to do in situations of illness or emergency.

Ash presented practical and alternative mitigation strategies, methods of learning via short animated videos, and the benefits of altitude education in practice, all of which are vital for our altitude‑awareness charity. An insight into our current Peru education study on reducing AMS symptoms and improving knowledge at altitude was also provided, and will be shared more widely once complete and published by the end of the year.

This was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of our AMS work to a wider audience, share the background, vision and mission of Para‑Monte, and emphasise why informed, evidence‑based decision‑making is essential for anyone operating, training or travelling in extreme environments. Engaging with researchers, practitioners, athletes and students made these discussions especially meaningful, and it is hoped these will continue as the flag continues to fly internationally.

Ash would like to thank the organising committee for an excellent symposium, the other speakers for their important and interesting work in this area, and the attendees for their patience with his low‑level French. It was also a pleasure for Ash to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that drives progress in environmental physiology, education and performance.

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