Zay Harding has a fear of heights. This presented a problem when Treks in a Wild World took him to Copper Canyon where he hiked with Tarahumaran Indian guides on steep, slippery trails - not the best situation for an acrophobe. But Zay was forced to face his fear and gained much admiration for the Tarahumarans on that trip.

With the enviable background of growing up on the beaches of Hawaii, Zay is an outdoorsman through and through. His childhood was spent in the Boy Scouts where he achieved the highest level in scouting - early preparation for his trekking adventures.

Treks in a Wild World is Zay's first taste of adventure travel. "Being in true wilderness is a rare experience for most people. A city dweller myself, I find it amazing to get out to the middle of nowhere - away from the cars, away from the noise, away from the people. The tranquility and beauty of the wild can be quite spiritual."

Now living in Los Angeles, Zay has a passion for music and plans on writing an album one day.

Zay is also a presenter of the TV series Globe Trekker.