LBU colleagues set for trek of a lifetime to Everest

Matt Whittington and Chris Buckle, who are Estates Engineering personnel, will travel to Nepal at the end of October to begin a two-week trek to Mount Everest base camp in aid of mental health charity Mind.

The lifelong friends have spent over two years planning the trip and chose Mind as their charity to show their appreciation to the importance of mental health assistance.

Matt said: “We’ve done quite a bit of domestic hiking, and we take turns picking what we want to do next once we reach the summit. Several years ago, we had a really bad summit to Helvellyn. At the end, it was my turn, and that’s when I said, ‘let’s do base camp.

“We’ve had some interesting reactions from family and friends, but really they’ve come round to it and recognise the significance of what we’re doing.”

The trip will see Matt and Chris trek uphill between six to eight hours a day, encountering challenging weather conditions and the effects of high altitude along the way.

As part of their preparation, they have received equipment and support from experts at the Carnegie School of Sport and Carnegie Great Outdoors, who led an exhibition to the Himalayas with the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Centre in 2018.

“Carnegie Great Outdoors have loaned us specialist sleeping bags and other equipment, which would have cost hundreds of pounds.” Chris added.

“Speaking to Dave (Bunting) from Carnegie Great Outdoors, he’s been so knowledgeable, helpful and reassuring, because it can be daunting to think about. He makes it sound like just another Tuesday!”

You can donate to Chris and Matt’s GoFundMe here.