Renowned British mountaineer Alan Hinkes recently put the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Basecamp through its paces during a trip to the Lake District.

Hinkes is the sole British climber to conquer all 14 of the world’s peaks over 8,000 metres, a feat accomplished in 2005 with the scaling of Annapurna I in Nepal. His outstanding contributions to mountaineering and literature have solidified his place in mountaineering history.

Alan’s trip began with an evening drive to Borrowdale. “It was already dark, and the light bar and grille lights were fabulous,” he said. “It must have been 11.30pm by the time I put the tent up, but it was so easy, literally taking seconds. It’s exciting, and you just want to get in it. Other seasoned campers could not believe it, as it is so streamlined and neat on the top yet opens up into a decent-sized tent.”

Isuzu D-Max AT35 Basecamp with Alan Hinkes

During his trip to Borrowdale in the AT35 Basecamp, Alan found himself pitched up inside the roof tent, sheltering from the heavy rain of a storm. “At about 1pm, the heavens opened, and I lay there listening to the rain on the tent and the D-Max metal roof. It was like a symphony but so cosy.

“It evoked memories of listening to the graupel (frozen rain) while camping in the past. I would have a tent this size at base camp while climbing for weeks. But I could have done with this one as its memory foam mattress was so comfortable, and I slept well.”

After spending time in the go-anywhere vehicle, Alan also shared his final thoughts: “The hardtop is voluminous, and I was able to chuck in all of my gear. The drawer and cooking unit are also exceptionally tidy. It’s all quick to pack away, too.

“Even in bad weather, it feels solid and secure,” he said. “It cruises really well at 70mph, and the ride is excellent, not bouncy at all like many pick-ups. The roads were really flooded, but it makes you feel bomb-proof. It is really high, and the tyres are fantastic. I really enjoyed it. It’s a brilliant piece of kit.”

The Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Basecamp is designed for diverse adventures. It boasts an Obsidian Grey exterior with striking black accents. The ARB Esperance Hard Shell Roof Top Tent, mounted on a sleek black aluminium canopy, offers easy accessibility. Inside, the ARB Outback Solutions modular roller drawer system transforms the bed into a storage haven. It features a fridge, a pull-out kitchen unit with a three-burner gas stove, and a collapsible 12-litre sink. Its design includes 17-inch black Arctic Trucks alloy wheels paired with 35-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tyres, making it ideal for challenging terrains.

Phil Huff
Latest posts by Phil Huff (see all)
Published on