Olafs life touched countless individuals through his passion for travel and the outdoors. These are his words of some of his exploits ...

"I have been traveling to Nepal, India and Pakistan since 1974 which involved trekking/climbing. I have made expeditions to Everest base camp and beyond three times & climbed several smaller peaks in the Everest region, the Dolpo region in the Western part of Nepal, Kanchangunga in the East of Nepal, the Indian Himalayas three times, Pakistan and K2.

From 1997 I have also been involved with leading climbing groups to South America [Ecuador (climbing Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Ilinizas and several other mountains), Chile and Argentina (where I climbed Aconcagua and several other peaks between 5000 and 6500 metres]. In July July August 2006 I am climbing several 6,000 metre peaks in Bolivia including the highest peak Sajama at 6532 Metres. In 1994 I was the Group Leader of an AYA expedition to Nepal [which was organised by World Expeditions for Peter Hilary].

I am an accredited bushwalking guide [up to difficult and trackless, & unmodified landscapes] having successfully completed the National Outdoor Leader Registration Scheme.

I have been actively involved as a Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator since 1980. I currently have an active group of about 500 students at Baulkham Hills High School. I have led numerous expeditions at Bronze, Silver and Gold level within Australia – to areas including the Watagan State Forest/National Park; the entire Great North Walk; a variety of walks in the Blue Mountains including the 6 Foot Track, Blue Gum Forest and Glenbrook National park; Kosciuszko NP; Moreton National Park; Dharug National Park; Bouddi National Park; Cradle Mountain NP and other NPs in Tasmania. These expeditions have ranged from 2 to 10 day trips and have involved both tracked and untracked walks.

In January 2004 I led a group of students to New Zealand - as part of an Antipodean expedition for Gold and Silver D of E candidates. In January 2006 I led a group of Antipodean students completing their Gold Award to Vietnam. In January 2007 I lead another Antipodean group to New Zealand. I have organised numerous expeditions with Somerset Outdoor Learning such that the maximum number of students can join our group, and am at my most proud seeing a successful Duke awardee and we have a great many successes!"