I first went to Nepal 35 years ago in 1983 when I went trekking with my father in the Helambu region north of Kathmandu. It was a modest 1 week trip getting to about 16,000ft.
I have always wanted to go back and I am confident my son Paul would have relished trekking in Nepal had he not succumbed to his brain tumour.
So three years on from my second ascent of Mt Kenya I decided I would return to Nepal and raise money for our charity Paul’s Fund.
On this occasion I opted for the challenge of reaching the summit of Nepal’s highest trekking summit, Mera Peak, which at 6,471m (21,246ft) would be far higher than any previous mountain I have attempted.
I didn’t reach the top. On summit day the altitude defeated me and I simply didn’t have it in me to go beyond about 6,000m. But it was still the most fantastic trip with memories that will stay with me for ever and some lovely new friends whom I continue to meet up with.
Arriving at Lukla, “the world’s most dangerous airport” was a very intense experience in itself – not only because it fulfilled a life long ambition, but most especially because I felt so keenly that my son would not be with me in person on this trek. But in every other way he was and we raised lost of money in his memory and the whole experience is one I continue to treasure.
Our trek, organised by Jagged Globe, took us on a very roundabout route through varied and fascinating terrain staying at remote villages where we camped each night next to the local “tea house”. This is a small selection of the many photos I took.