On top of the world with the British Army

FROM narrowly escaping an avalanche to a dramatic helicopter rescue, Graeme Taylor’s Himalayan adventure was nothing if not eventful.
Graeme Taylor  will join a two-month British Army Expedition to climb Mt ManasluGraeme Taylor  will join a two-month British Army Expedition to climb Mt Manaslu
Graeme Taylor will join a two-month British Army Expedition to climb Mt Manaslu

The 42-year-old, from Ripon, has just returned from climbing Mount Manaslu – the eighth highest mountain in the world – as part of a British Army expedition.

The former soldier joined a team of eight servicemen from the Royal Engineers and Royal Army Medical Corps on the two-month trip.

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The group arrived in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu in mid-August to prepare for the challenge, spending three days organising supplies and equipment before setting out.

“The start of the trek took us through some fantastic terrain, we gradually ascended to the village of Samagoen where we had our first glimpse of Mount Manaslu,” said Mr Taylor.

The team spent three days there acclimatising before ascending to base camp, which sits at 15,750ft above sea level.

“We all arrived safely and tired both from the physical exertion and the altitude,” he said.

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“When we arrived we prepared our personal and group living spaces which would be home for the next 40 days.

“The next few weeks saw us gradually lay siege to the mountain.”

The adventure unfortunately ended early for one team member, who was taken ill and had to be flown by helicopter back to Kathmandu for medical tests.

“He left in good spirits and made a full recovery,” said Mr Taylor.

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With the help of four Sherpas – experienced Nepalese mountain guides – the remaining members of the group gradually moved their equipment and food onto the mountain in four camps at altitudes of between 17,060ft and 23,622ft ready to begin their summit attempt on October 4.

“Whilst in camp one, an expected storm brought a significant amount of snow and we decided to stay there for 24 hours,” said Mr Taylor.

“The Sherpa team were in camp two and had a lucky escape when a large avalanche stopped five metres from their tent during the night.”

Over the next few days they had to tread carefully not to set off another avalanche – “a real possibility” – while carrying out rope work to open up the route to the third camp, at 22,638ft.

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They made a strong ascent up the steep slope to the third camp despite challenging conditions.

“The wind was blowing from left to the right and it was strong enough to blow you off your feet,” said Mr Taylor.

“We were all carrying all of our equipment to survive a few hours in camp four before setting out for the summit.

“The oxygen system was working well and really made a difference.

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“The views were breathtaking, literally on top of the world. I felt stronger than ever before on such adventures.”

But their attempt to reach the summit was thwarted when, just 250 metres away from the fourth camp, they found their ropes set in ice.

“There was no going on in such high winds without the fixed ropes,” said Mr Taylor.

“The only sensible decision was to turn around.

“Our hearts sank as we knew we could go no further.”

Having been in training for around seven months for the challenge, the outcome was disappointing but the team always knew it could be a possibility.

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“To have given so much physically – I, for one, was at my peak - get so close and not summit may seem cruel, but any mountaineer will acknowledge that this is the way it goes in the great outdoors.” he said.

“We had no choice to accept fate. It just wasn’t meant to be.”

While they did not make the summit, the team learned a huge amount about themselves on the challenge, he added.

During the expedition, they also took time out to visit an orphanage in need of a new water filter.

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With the help of the British Gurkhas, it is now set to be replaced and the team has also raised funds to help pay for essential supplies.

Mr Taylor first started climbing in 1987 as part of his Army training. Since then, he has climbed and ski-mountaineered all over the world.

Having left the forces, he is now the director of management consultancy and training company Centred Coaching, which specialises in leadership development and motivational speaking, through which he has worked with organisations including the Ministry of Defence and the NHS.

He will be talking about the expedition at a number of events over the coming months.

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