<p>The good news is success!!!!!!!! On Saturday 8th March after 8 days of uphill we made it to Kala Pattar, the hill rising above base camp at a whopping 5,700m. The views were stunning to say the least. Everest itself unfolded majestically, with a superb view accross the South West face, the south summit, the Sir Edmund Hillary step and down the South Col onto Nuptse. The following day we walked onto Base Camp itself at 5,300m crossing the bolder fields of the Khumbu ice fall that lead directly down from Everest.</p> <p>The walk itself was in some of the most breath-taking scenery I have ever seen. Enormous mountain corridors towering, glaciers and in places some vast skylines. The walk was also very cold, the accomodation very gritty but our welcome and the hospitality we received excellent. The 8 days up were significantly more exciting and interesting than the time down however that all contributed towards making this one of the greatest adventures I have undertaken and some definite personal bests on height and endurance.</p> <p>Thanks to everyone for your support. The Nepali people are some of the poorest on the planet, the government one of the most corrupt and every penny raised will contribute to making signficant inroads into bringing change to those communities worked with.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>One fundraising activity down; one to go for the Elim International Missions charity!!!!! I am one of four people taking part in a trek in Nepal starting on 29th February 2012 having successfully completed a FIREWALK on 9th February 2012 and retained all limbs, digits and skin!!!!</p> <p>I will be trekking from Lukla Airport in Northern Nepal to Mount Everest Base Camp and back again from the end of February 2012. The trek is approximately 70 miles in total and is at high altitude. Lukla lies at approximately 2,800m above sea level and Mount Everest Base Camp reaches over 5,500m with a viewing platform above this (the height of Ben Nevis is 1,372, the Matterhorn is 4,447m). The trek will take two weeks and involve some fairly chilly subzero temperatures.</p> <p>I will be asking for sponsorship to raise funds for the Elim Internatonal Missions (registered charity no 251549) who work on a number of humanitarian projects in Nepal: digging wells, improving sanitation and&nbsp;builiding schools. They also train priests and evangelise when and only when the leaders of the villages they work in are receptive. In all cases it will make a considerable difference to the lives of those Nepali people who, due to government corruption and poverty, would otherwise be ignored.</p> <p>The firewalk on Thursday 9th February was immense. We had everything slet, snow, subzero temperatures and a raging inferno!!! The coals were glowing and smoke was rising through the arctic weather. I started off briskly but dignity was restored midway through the strip when I returned to walking pace. In fact I enjoyed doing it that much that I wanted to go again. Sadly the organisers had other ideas and time was called!!! Good news for the local A&amp;E services and plastic surgeons that no extra pressure was to be added to the acute admissions!!! Pretty good news for me too!!!! Check out the shots of the event and celebrations. Massive thanks for those who came to spectate and for those who have suggested and supported me through this. In some ways I have conquered the foohills, another challenge now awaits........... EVEREST!!!!!</p> <p>Please give generously as I have pledged to raise &pound;2,000. All money raised through this page will go directly&nbsp;for&nbsp;the charity's&nbsp;work in Nepal&nbsp;as I am covering my own costs. Please give for both (either as a combined or separate donations) and please specify whether you would be prepared to give more if I was to dye my hair a bizarre colour.</p> <p>Thanks!!!!!!!!!!! Mike!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p> <p>So please dig deep and donate now!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p>Elim International Missions&nbsp;work on a number of humanitarian projects in Nepal: digging wells, improving sanitation and&nbsp;builiding schools. They also undertake christian work there when and only when the leaders of the villages they work in are receptive. In all cases it will make a considerable difference to the lives of those Nepali people.</p>