impressive achievement from a modern adventure explorer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21377623

Looks like this UK TV programme will be interesting:

Climbing Everest with a mountain on my back: the Sherpa’s story

Every year, over a thousand climbers try to reach the summit of Mount Everest, with the annual record for successful attempts currently standing at 633. But of that number, nearly half were Sherpas – the mountain’s unsung heroes. Yet the Sherpa community has remained secretive about their nation, culture and experiences living in the shadow of the world’s highest mountain. Now, for the first time, they open the door into their world.

Without the expertise of the Sherpas, only the hardiest and most skilful climbers would succeed. Every day they risk their lives for the safety of others, yet they seek neither glory nor reward, preferring to stay in the background. Following the stories of four such Sherpas – Phurba, Ngima, Ngima Tenji and Gelu – this film reveals the reality of their daily lives, not just up the mountain, but with their families after they return home.

BBC4 tonight (Thurs 31st) 9pm, repeated at 3am and on iplayer, duration 1 hour

TV not to miss on a dark winter’s night: Natural World: Himalaya

(photo from the BBC website)

Documentary looking at the variety of wild animals inhabiting the Himalayas – from monkeys, wolves and bears to foxes, snow leopards and pheasants.

7pm BBC4 Saturday 8 December or on iplayer…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tj7j4/Natural_World_20102011_The_Himalayas/