A LOCAL man is hoping to assemble a team of would-be explorers to join him on a trip to the Himalayas in 2017.
Westbury man Robert “Rab” Lundie is a major in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, and has served in the military for 28 years. He is looking for local people who would be interested in trekking on Mount Everest and Kalapathar to meet him at a presentation in December.
Rab said, “I am looking to take 10-12 team members of all ages (18+) whether they are complete novices or have previous high altitude experience.
“I have been to Everest before and, with a passion to return, want to take a non-military expedition that will hopefully inspire like-minded people to deploy on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
“For many years I have enjoyed offering friends in the local community the opportunity to take part in adventurous expeditions and extreme sports.
“Previous volunteers were all of varying ages, genders, physical abilities and many lacked belief that they could achieve such goals. All of my previous trips have been resounding successes with many volunteers ticking off major feats on their bucket lists. What I get in return is the ability to give something back to the local community for the support they give to HM Forces.”
Rab has organised expeditions to the Everest and Annapurna regions of Nepal before, and was supposed to be leading an expedition with military personnel this autumn, but it was cancelled following the country’s devastating earthquakes earlier this year.
The expedition, although not confirmed, would be a three-week trip in March 2017 potentially taking in a trek to the Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Kalapathar (5,555m) and potentially on to a 6,000m peak dependant on the experience of the team.
Rab will plan the expedition for free, but it is expected to cost around £1,700 per person – part of the reason it is planned for 2017 is to allow members to save for the expedition.
Rab also plans to contribute to building a new school at a local village, to help improve the quality of life of children affected by the earthquakes.
Rab continued, “If you have a personal reason for wanting to do this, to raise money for charity, or to achieve a lifetime goal but you feel it may be out of your league, then before you say no, have some belief in your abilities and sign up to the presentation before you pull the plug on an adventure that will offer you the very best lifetime memories.”
To contact Rab to register your interest in the expedition as a member or a sponsor, email westburyeverest@outlook.com Details of the presentation in December will be sent to those who contact him.
