DALE mountaineer Alan Hinkes was among the guests at the House of Lords last month to honour the first double amputee to summit Mount Everest.
Mr Hinkes, who gained fame by being the first Briton to reach the top of all of the world’s peaks above 8,000 metres, reached Everest’s summit on May 19, 1996. Ex-Gurkha Hari Budha Maga achieved the same feat earlier this year.
Mr Maga lost both of his legs in 2010 during the war in Afghanistan.
Mr Hinkes said: “Hari is an inspirational man. I've known Hari nearly ten years, since he started planning his Everest attempt. In 2017 the Nepalese government banned double amputees from attempting the mountain and Hari had to lobby with disability organisations to get the ban lifted.
“He achieved his dream, becoming the first double amputee to summit Everest. He did it on May 19, the same day I did in 1996.”
The award to Mr Maga was made by former Chief of Defence Staff General Lord Richards.
Mr Hinkes said: “It was a great honour to attend the event and see Hari recognised for his achievement.
“Hari is an exceptionally determined man and has overcome significant disabilities to reach the summit of Everest. I am privileged to call him a friend.”
Mr Hinkes was also invited to the Nepalese Embassy where he met Ambassador Gyan Chandra Acharya.
The mountaineer’s trip was partly sponsored by LNER.
Mr Hinkes said: “Sampling the excellent cooked breakfast en route to London on LNER was a treat, especially as it is local produce from Yorkshire. It set me up for a long day in London.
“I like the capital, but I'm always glad to get back to Teesdale.”
