Solihull dad and daughter climb Everest

A father and daughter from Solihull will have their endurance tested to the limit when they take on a trek to the Everest Base Camp to raise money for charity.

John and Eleanor Stewart plan to reach the summit of Kala Patthar at over 18,000 feet, via the Everest Base Camp, next month on an expedition that will raise badly-needed funds to help one of the poorest areas in India.

The 10-day journey will start out in Lukla in Nepal, reaching the Everest Base Camp and the nearby peak of Kala Patthar.

The father and daughter, who sponsor a boy called Nanku in a poor area of India, are taking on the challenge in aid of charity Tong-Len, which works in the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh.

Without the benefit of altitude training, the pair say they know the Himalayan hike will be a tough on.

They are hoping to raise £5,000 for the charity, which supports displaced families especially children in one of the poorest parts of India.

“I’m sure it will be a tough challenge, but the reward of being able to see the top of the world whilst helping others will drive us on,” said 26-year-old Eleanor, whose idea it was to take on the challenge of Everest.

“I had initially been looking into taking on the Inca trail.

“However, when reading about the 60th anniversary of the first Everest ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary, I discovered that there were opportunities to trek up to the base camp.

“I contacted my dad and after some discussion we decided it was something that we wanted to take on together.

“The altitude and basic facilities – most notably the lack of any showers – will be interesting, but I’m looking forward to visiting Nepal and experiencing the culture.”

Dad John said the challenge will be a strain on the pair ‘physically and mentally.’

The 55-year-old, who lives in Halstead Grove, Solihull, added: “We have been told that even if we are well acclimatised, the climb will be tough.

“Giving up our home comforts to help some of the most challenged people in the world is sure to push us to the limits of what we can achieve.”

If you would like to donate to the cause, visit: www.justgiving.com/John-Stewart12.

Read the full story here: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/solihull-dad-daughter-climb-everest-6875124.