When did this desire/madness come over me, to want to climb one of the worlds highest peaks. And what Carolynn really wants to know is who’s responsible for encouraging me!!!

There are, I believe, two people, besides myself, who could partially take the blame. I won’t name them just yet, but I think it will become clear as you read on!

Over the last few years, I’ve had both the pleasure and privilege of walking 100 metres behind a certain gentleman, who is somewhat older than myself and considerably fitter. Together we’ve failed the West Highland way…twice (he has subsequently walked it without my help!), been to the Dolomites three times, where he did a couple of firsts, like going on a cable car, skiing and clipping himself onto a Via Ferrata. He’s saved my life on the Devils Stair Case in Glen Coe. Taken me on some of the most horrendous paths, i.e. not marked on any known map, I’ve ever walked on. Had me crawling on my hands and knees on the summit of a snow & ice clad Carnedd Llewelyn, in a howling gale at -10 degrees. He’s taught me how to look invisible to any other people on the mountains. Made me feel guilty every time I throw my banana skins away and has very reluctantly shared his cake with me and finally we’ve spent hours putting the world and roundabouts to rights!

Uncle Les on Moel Siabod

After saying all of that, he’s taken my constant mickey taking and abuse, but most of all he has trained with me, without complaint (even at 6am, with a prospect of a three-hour drive  to North Wales) and shown me again and again some of the most beautiful and solitary mountains in the Britain. It can only be UNCLE LES.

Uncle Les

The other person who could have put a halt to my dreams, is some one Carolynn hasn’t even met. I met him for the first time on my trip to Makalu Advance Base Camp in 2009 (he was the Sirdar). He appears to be very quite and retiring, but has a single-mindedness that will probably make him only the second Sherpa to have climbed all 14 8,000 metre peaks by 2014.

Whilst in Kathmandu after the Makalu trek I picked up a map of Island Peak (Imja Tse) and Lobuche East. After discussing it with the Sirdar, he offered to take me in the Spring of 2011. Although we failed to climb Lobuche East, because of high winds, we did manage to summit Island Peak.

Tshering Dorje Sherpa

Could I please compare climbing with childbirth….without offending too many women….there are times when you are on the mountain and its absolute hell and you say the inevitable ‘Never Again’ but when you get back down to the comfort of the hotel, the pain is forgotten and only the elation remains…..well it happened again. I got to Kathmandu and thought I could climb the sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu. So I asked the Sirdar only one  question “Did he think I was capable of making it to the summit of Cho Oyu” his reply “Yes I can get you to the summit”. Is there any better encouragement, than that?

Tshering & I on the Summit of Island Peak

His name is Tshering Dorje Sherpa and his website link is below:

http://www.himaladventure.com/

There are a number of other reprobates, who require a mention…they will appear all in good time.