The Himalayan Trust UK’s First Annual Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Lecture will be held on Thursday 28th May 2009 at 7pm at the Royal Geographical Society.
The keynote talk ‘THE EVEREST YEARS’ will be presented by Sir Chris Bonington CBE. Also special guest Ang Rita Tshering Sherpa, the Star pupil in the first ‘Hillary School’ and who now heads the Himalayan Trust in Nepal.

It is happening on the 20th June 2007 in the south west – all levels of abilities are catered for + plus great prizes from our sponsors. Red Rocks climbing slideshow and beer the night before. Full details from Lisa on 9375 41436 or email the Training and Development Officer.

This year it is in Saas Grund – Switzerland from the 14th July until the 28th July. Grants are available to assist with travel and hut fees. Full details from the Training and Development Officer or call Lisa on 9375 41436.

Would you like to go to the Himalayas?

Are you a junior member of the services and within your first three years of Service?

If so, apply for the MAKALU 2008 Junior Team Support Trek. No previous experience or qualifications are required. The junior team will complement 2 senior teams making an attempt on MAKALU (the worlds 5th highest mountain) and a development team attempting Penthangste.

It is with great regret that I announce the death of Brigadier David Nicholls Royal Marines at his home on July 4th 2006, age 57. Dave was a longstanding and very prominent club member and one of our most accomplished climbers. His climbing achievements are legend and include the first Service ascent of the North Face of the Eiger in the 70’s as well as pioneering Club expeditions to the Greater Ranges. Dave was a regular attendee of Club meets and always took an active part in the Clubs organisation, serving as Chairman and President in the past. He will be greatly missed by the Club and all who climbed with him.

Congratulations to Alan Hinkes (again)

Congratulations to Alan Hinkes on a British first!

“The final summit push was without a doubt the hardest climb of my life. We left base camp on Thursday 26 May and began to push up the mountain. The weather had not been good which meant there was an awful lot of fresh snow to break through. Risk of avalanche was incredibly high and every step of the way was a matter of physical and mental endurance"

"The snow was so deep that we were unable to make camp three and had to bivvie on the hillside at around 7400m. We tried for a summit attempt on the 29 May but we were beaten back by the weather"

" A second summit attempt saw us leave at about 1am on the 30 May. More snow had fallen but we made good time. My climbing partner Pasang had to stop around 15 minutes short of the summit due to exhaustion. I reached the summit on the 30 May at around 7pm in driving snow and wind. It was the worst summit conditions I can remember. I took the obligatory photo spent around 10 minutes on the summit and then began my descent"

"It was about 9pm when I caught up with Pasang but with no head torch it was difficult to locate him and I honestly thought he was dead. It was with great elation that I found him and we got back to the bivvie site around 27 hours after setting off on 31 May"

"The next couple of days saw us descending back to base camp through fresh snow with high risk of avalanche. Getting back to base camp was one of the best feelings of my life. I sat down in my tent and thought I’ve finally done it!”