Social media in general is justifiably criticised for showing an unreal ,sanitised and heavily flitered view of our best possible face and lives - and in the adventure world a completely whitewashed life of achievement, fulfilment, recognition and fame. So here's a reality check...
At approx. 1430hrs Nepal time on Saturday 10th May 2025, I summitted Mt Kanchenchunga, the world's third highest mountain - a mountain i firmly believe is harder to climb than even K2 - feeling strong, focussed and in full control, despite the 20 hr climb from camp 4. Unfortunately, a freak accident to my right hand shortly after the summit resulted in my having to descend the enormous, steep, and technical mountain with one workable hand only - a hurdle probably requiring x10 the time of a fully limbed climber.
The struggle to get down from the death zone to safety over the next 48 hours on dangerous terrain , mostly on my own and with no supplementary oxygen, liquid or shelter - and increasingly suffering from hallucinations, HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) and frostbite - will probably go down as one of the hardest mental and physical battles i have ever had to face. Indeed, I was resigned to being lost to the mountain - as with fellow French climber Margareta Morin who died on Saturday afternoon - by the expedition outfitters and almost all the Sherpas in support.
After a week in hospital in Kathmandu treating my frostbite - on all fingers and toes- it is back to the UK for the long toad to recovery.
I would like to pay my sincerest gratitude to Jangbu Sherpa Pane, who probably saved my life in climbing up to 7900m with oxygen; Kuqin Sherpa; SST; Global Rescue CIWEC Hospital Kathmandu Nortac, Dan Rex MVO ; and Wendy Du Bois for all their tremendous help and assistance. And to California Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Center, Dubai Podiatry Centre, and Ten Twenty for their ongoing support to my expeditions.
Kanchenjunga won't mean anything to those outside of adventure circles or India - it is India's highest mountain in addition - but a long-term goal which took two and a half years in implementation, various setbacks along the way, a crisis at the end and fortunate luck may well be familiar....
Attached - the last video taken on mountain a week ago.
