WaterAid congratulates Alan Hinkes

Alan Hinkes summited Kangchenjunga at 7pm on 30 May 2005 and became the first Briton to climb all of the world's 14 8000m peaks. This climb completes the challenge that has driven Alan for more than 15 years and puts him the record books as the first Briton to have climbed all 14 mountains over 8000 metres.

Kangchenjunga (8597m) is the third highest peak in the world. This year is the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of the giant, which was achieved by Briton's Joe Brown, George Band, Tony Streather and Norman Hardy (NZ).

Alan had to previously abandon an attempt on Kangchenjunga in May 2000 following bad weather conditions; while on his descent a snow bridge collapsed across a crevasse and he fell into it, breaking his arm. Alan was successful this time, but it was not an easy expedition, as he explains:

"The final summit push was without a doubt the hardest climb of my life. We left base camp on Thursday 26 May and began to push up the mountain. The weather had not been good which meant there was an awful lot of fresh snow to break through. Risk of avalanche was incredibly high and every step of the way was a matter of physical and mental endurance.
"The snow was so deep that we were unable to make camp three and had to bivy on the hillside at around 7400m. We tried for a summit attempt on the 29 May but we were beaten back by the weather.
"A second summit attempt saw us leave at about 1am on the 30 May. More snow had fallen but we made good time. My climbing partner Pasang had to stop around 15 minutes short of the summit due to exhaustion. I reached the summit on the 30 May at around 7pm in driving snow and wind. It was the worst summit conditions I can remember. I took the obligatory photo spent around 10 minutes on the summit and then began my descent.
"It was about 9pm when I caught up with Pasang but with no head torch it was difficult to locate him and I honestly thought he was dead. It was with great elation that I found him and we got back to the bivy site around 27 hours after setting off on 31 May.
"The next couple of days saw us descending back to base camp through fresh snow with high risk of avalanche. Getting back to base camp was one of the best feelings of my life.; I sat down in my tent and thought I've finally done it!"

Well done to Alan from everyone at WaterAid!

Alan hinkes announces his 2005 Full Mounty UK Tour

Alan's "Full Mounty" tour, will highlight the highs and lows of his Challenge 8000 career to climb all of the world's highest mountains. The show will combine footage and images from previous expeditions and unique never seen before footage from Kangchenjunga

Alan's Full Mounty tour promises to be a show not to be missed. Full venue and ticket outlets are as follows:

27 October - Ambleside - Gaynor Sports, 01539 434 204.
www.octoberoutdoorfest.com

29 October - Stirling - Summits, 01786 470704, or www.summits.co.uk sales@summits.co.uk

1 November - Newcastle Upon Tyne - TISO, 0191 2220020 or cs_newcastle@tiso.co.uk

2 November - Edinburgh - TISO, 0131 225 9486 0r 0131 554 0804 or cs_edinburgh@tiso.co.uk

3 November - Fort William - West Coast Leisure, 01397 705777 or info@westcoast-leisure.co.uk

7 November - Bangor - Ultimate Outdoors , 01690 710555 or enquiries@ultimateoutdoors.co.uk www.ultimateoutdoors.co.uk

8 November - Lancaster - Ultimate Outdoors, 01524 66610 or enquiries@ultimateoutdoors.co.uk www.ultimateoutdoors.co.uk

9 November - Sunderland - University of Sunderland, 0191 515 2694 or events@sunderland.ac.uk

10 November - Harrogate - Cotswold Outdoor, 01423 701100 or 0870 4427755, www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

12 November - Guildford - Mountain Trek and Travel, 01483 577793 or mountaintt@btconnect.com

13 November - Worcester - Kings School, 01905 350065 or J_walton2@hotmail.com Mountain Shack members can also obtain tickets for this venue via Mountain Shack on 01905 611115

14 November - Milton Keynes - The Outdoor Shop, 01908 568913 or sales@theoutdoorshop.com

21 November - Reading - Cotswold Outdoor, 0118 9875177 or 0870 4427755, www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

22 November - London - Cotswold Outdoor, 0207 6554660 (Leyden Street), 0207 437 7399 (Piccadilly) or 0870 4427755, www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

26 November - Lewes - Hike and Bike, 01323 871861 or mike@hikeandbike.co.uk

28 November - St Albans - Cotswold Outdoor, 01727 847888 or 0870 4427755, www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

29 November - Kingston Upon Thames - Cotswold Outdoor, 0208 5499500 or 0870 4427755, www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

30 November - Manchester - Cotswold Outdoor, 0161 236 4123 or 0870 4427755 www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

For more information on Alan's Kangchenjunga expedition and his "Full Mounty UK Tour" please Visit the Berghaus website