From City Streets to the High Peaks

But for this I needed to train, research and take the next step from leisure adventures in the British landscape and put everything I have put into practice in the great Himalayas. After much though and planning I had decided on the next mountain to climb - Lobuche East Peak -  being my first high altitude summit push standing tall at 6,119 metres. With this in mind I was in need of a strong team, I had few people in mind but without hesitation I picked up the phone to who I thought to be one of the best mountaineers I know.

Adriana Brownlee, the youngest, at the time, to summit 13 of the 14 highest peaks in the world. After little persuasion it was set, Galjie Sherpa, another extremely experienced climber was going to be my guide on the summit push.

So that was it. My first Nepali trek to Everest Basecamp to then break off from the main group and head for Lobuche High camp. This of course was amazing news, but I had one little issue. To make this a successful trip I needed to be well equipped. This is where the fantastic support from Craghoppers came just at the right time. It was the middle of the 2023 and this expedition was approaching fast, as I was going to be in country in October. I knew I wanted good equipment, but I also needed to be as sustainable as possible, due to my love for our environment, I always do my best to be as ecofriendly as possible. I feel that Craghoppers ethos and product do well to positively impact the environment, whilst also providing excellent protection from the elements, while on an adventure.

For me, this was more than Everest being a passion of mine and to follow what seems like the mountaineering status quo on the surface. This was to show that regardless of our everyday limitations such as colour, creed or gender, our social classes. The stigma of this mountain, I saw as a challenge to change the outlook of exploration.

Being in the outdoors for me is a chance to discover, learn and adapt and bring hope points of references, to turn into positive actions in everyday life. It saved me from self-destruction and made me who I am today. I encourage outdoor experiences as it promotes a healthy lifestyle, positive mental and physical well-being and self-empowerment. I call this "finding your true north".

Being an avid mountaineer, also serving in the British Army, I have always felt like I knew the process of preparing kit for a trip. This time though, that feeling wasn't as forthcoming. Let's just say I overpacked, thinking being ready for anything is better than being under prepared, and in turn risk of failure or worse. With two duffels and one 38l rucksack packed full to the brim, I remember thinking "wow this is still not enough" and immediately my train of thought said, "I haven't even packed a down suit". Luckly, I knew I wasn't in need of one of those this time.

Looking back now realising I may not have used everything, but at least I was able to adapt to any situation. But one thing I can say, the kit I used, I really used! Some may say overused but that's neither here or there when you're trekking for days and climbing your first 6000er. This kit was used often either due to comfort or for protection or both. This was how I realised just how reliable Craghoppers kit is. And I couldn't stop howling on about it to the team. I was upset that when I had to use my crampon compatible boots. But for 95% of the time, I wore the AdFlex boots, these boots were essential and provided excellent comfort on rough terrain. Other essential items where the fantastic Bishorn Parka, Dynamic Pro jacket and Kiwi Pro Active trousers.

Once we reached High camp we settled into the camp routine, from preparing equipment that will be used on the mountain, to meeting other climbers and hearing their stories. We only had around six hours before having to wake up, get our kit on and start our midnight assent. Before this Galje and one of the other guides, Dawa Sherpa set up a number of pre-summit training routes to enable the team's summit push. This was to help in the more technical areas of the climb. utilising ropes and our ascender device otherwise known as a Jumar. We also had fun in some pretty cool abseiling. But unfortunately it wasn’t all fun, due to my ever growing symptoms of high altitude sickness.

Just after leaving E.B.C, I had developed the famous Khumbu headache. This headache is renowned for effecting many travellers on their journeys to the Himalayas. With this in mind and also seeing many others dealing with the same terrible symptom, I thought little of it and knew it would pass by staying hydrated and taking paracetamol. To my surprise, after days, it still didn't pass. In fact, it had gotten much worse. After being at Lobuche High camp for a while, my symptoms began to bring doubt in my mind as to whether it was still safe for me to continue.

This wasn't the first time I had felt defeated and needed to make the right choice, but this was my first time at altitude. Needless to say, I had made the right choice to continue, the thoughts of who I was doing this for and why compelled me to gather the strength to finished what I had started.