Patron of the Army Cadet Force "Outreach" programme attempts Everest

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Patron of Outreach, has sent us the following message:

The photograph of the Army Cadet Force flag was taken in the Khumbu Icefall on Everest during the April 'acclimatization' climbs prior to the actual ascent attempt.  This was late in May and was made difficult by the Chinese ban on western climbers during the first half of May climbing at all on the Nepalese side of Everest.

Eventually, towards midnight on 25 May I climbed to within 400 metres (in height) of the summit of Everest before falling asleep from sheer exhaustion, having had no sleep at all after the huge ascent from Camp III to Camp IV earlier that same day. I decided not to risk the fate of so many would-be summiteers who make it to the top but die on the way back down.

To date, my Everest Challenge Fundraiser has raised just over £2 million of my £3 million target for Marie Curie."

Sir Ranulpf Fiennes Bt OBE

The photograph on the left courtesy of Liz Scarff, the other courtesy of Rob Casserly

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