A Basingstoke man is aiming to reach new peaks of achievement with an attempt to conquer Everest in May.
James Ketchell from Eastrop left for Delhi on Wednesday to start his epic two-month bid to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain.
The 29-year-old is making the attempt just three years after surviving a near fatal motorbike accident.
He was told by doctors that he would never walk again after suffering two broken legs and hand, plus a shattered ankle.
But following an intense period of rehabilitation, he defied the doctors by setting himself a series of super-human challenges. Early last year, he took just 110 days to single-handedly row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic.
He said that the challenge of climbing Everest was always in the back of his mind and he has been fundraising the trip by drawing in a raft of sponsors, including the Nandos resturant chain.
He said: “They thought I would not walk again and I had to kiss goodbye to my active life. I just got lucky and made a full recovery. After the accident, I realised you can do anything you want if you want it enough.”
Once in Delhi, James will fly out to the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. His adventure kicks off at Lukla, which is just south of Everest and is know as the most dangerous airport in the world.
From there, James will start the eight-day trek to the mountain base camp. He will be joined by his climbing partner, Rob Casserley, who has seven Everest summits under his belt, and a team of porters, cooks and Sherpa guides.
At base camp, the team will spend weeks doing smaller climbs to boost their red blood cell count and acclimatise to the thinner air.
To date, 142 people have died trying to climb the mountain – a fact that does not worry James.
He said: “I think that my body functions differently from most people and I like pushing myself, even if there is danger involved.
“I felt very much alive rowing the Atlantic and I just want to do Everest. I am aware of the dangers and if I don’t do this now I may never be able to.”
The team has a limted time to scale the mountain as bids on the summit can only take place during a four-week window in May when the 200mph winds that buffet the peak subside.
From base camp, the climbing team will push towards a series of three camps up the 8,848m mountain.
From base camp four they will push into the “death zone”, the point which humans can not survive for extended periods.
Above the 7,000m mark, the climbers will start using oxygen bottles to help feed starved muscles with oxygen and fight against fatal altitude sickness.
He said: “At those altitudes, the air is so thin that every single step is exhausting. It can take up to three hours just to move 200 metres.”
James is hoping his summit attempt will raise up to £25,000 for the Elifar Foundation, which provides disabled children with life-saving equipment.
He said: “They are run entirely by volunteers and do an incredible amount work for a lot of children.”
To follow James’s progress or make a donation, visit www.jamesketchell.net
