What is it like working on adventure travel TV shows?

As the behind-the-scenes man for Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's televised motorcycle adventures, Russ Malkin knows a thing or ten about adventure travel. Apart from writing Big Earth - 101 Amazing Adventures, he has also engineered countless travel escapades, adrenaline-fuelled competitions and devised adventures for even the most jaded celebrity. MSN Travel caught up with him for a quick chat.

When I first started making programmes with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, most holidays seemed to involve lying on a beach. But now, people are getting on their motorbikes and heading off to amazing places around the world and inspiring other people to create their own adventures, challenges and trips that really mean something to them.

I recently set off on a trip around Canada with Charley Boorman called Extreme Frontiers and the object was simple - get to know Canada.

By focusing on one country we were able to really get under its skin, chasing icebergs, diving on wrecks, meeting the Inuit people on the Arctic Circle and climbing some of its highest peaks. We took along two BMW GS1200 Adventures to allow us to ride between each location and also as a filming platform for our cameraman.

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It was great cruising down the highways of Canada and heading off the beaten track to get to those really remote locations. We took along two cameraman and kept the crew as small as possible. I acted as producer/director appearing on screen a few times when I was diving or climbing with Charley in what I called 'team moments'.

Charley was very much out of his depth a few times and I would have laughed if I hadn't known that he was actually terrified. Sometimes I wonder why we do these events!

I remember when I was halfway up the cliff-face of Mount Fable, unable to find a hand hole to go up and knowing that going down wasn't an option, with granite inches from my face and my toes perched on the briefest of ledges, I wondered why?

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It reminded me of us facing disaster when a small speed boat we were on in Vietnam nearly turned over in 20ft waves. But once we reached the top of the mountain, the breathtaking view, clarity of the air and sense of achievement made me forget the previous moments of panic.

It was a really enjoyable trip and I even was able to accept squeezing through the potholes of Vancouver where the top of the tunnel touched your back as you pulled yourself forward on your elbows. I would certainly recommend everybody gets out and does their own adventure.

The book version of Extreme Frontiers by Charley Boorman (published by Sphere), £20, has just been released.

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