About

I'm undertaking this trek in memory of my mother, who passed away in March 2014 after an exponential decline due to vascular dementia. Starting from Kathmandu on March 21st 2015, we'll fly into Lukla (an experience not to be forgotten, it seems) and trek via Namche Bazaar, Dingboche and the viewpoint of Kalapatar, which at 5,554m(18,140ft) is just 1,200ft lower than the summit of Kilimanjaro. From Kalapatar we continue on for one day to Everest Base Camp before retracing our route back to Lukla and its infamous runway. After nearly 19 days in the wilderness we arrive back in London on May 8th. I have trekked the remote Himalaya before, to around 15,000ft, and summitted Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m,19,340ft) but this will be the longest, coldest, remotest and almost certainly the most arduous trek to date. It is rated 'extreme' by the trek company; a combination of duration, remoteness, weather, temperature, topography and of course sustained high-altitude work. Whatever we can raise towards research and care can only help those afflicted by this insidious disease, which can be almost as tough on the carer as it is on the patient. Times are difficult financially for many, and 'charity fatigue' is not uncommon these days, but anything you can spare will be welcome and appreciated by my chosen charity, Dementia UK. My partnership, Fiduciary Partners LLP, will be paying the majority of the trip costs, so you will not be paying to send me on holiday. I will be 58 when we set off in less than a year. I have a serious amount of training to put in over the next months, and only allowed myself to sign up after a sustained and successful campaign to lose 2st in weight. It's likely we'll be organising some specific events to raise funds, but in the meantime feel free to click 'donate' below and help me hit my target of at least 3,800. With thanks in advance, Andrew