Mark Horrell's Blog, page 41

To climb or not to climb? Those last 50 metres

When you've put so much time, money and physical commitment into a climb, it's never easy to turn around just fifty metres from the top. Here are some stories from Aconcagua which help to shed light on when that decision should be made. Continue reading

Nepal earthquake gets the BBC Panorama treatment

I was a little apprehensive when I heard there was a BBC Panorama documentary about the Nepal earthquake called Disaster on Everest, by a journalist who accompanied climbers to Base Camp. I need not have worried. Continue reading

Is disaster reporting becoming too violent?

After two major tragedies on Everest in the last two years, which generated worldwide media interest, I have found myself reading increasingly violent reports, with explicit descriptions of injuries and upsetting photographs. Continue reading

An extraordinary case of mountaineering integrity

With a drip feed of FIFA corruption allegations hitting the headlines, I've decided to use this week's blog post to highlight a case of sporting integrity beyond the call of duty, and in doing so salute Italian mountaineers. Continue reading

Everest 2014-15: A personal tale of two tragedies

Last year I was on my way into the Khumbu Icefall on Everest, and watched in horror as a huge avalanche took the lives of sixteen Sherpas. This year I watched from a distance as an earthquake put that event into perspective. Here is my personal account of witnessing both tragedies. Continue reading

The house that can be carried on porter back

One of the best examples of Nepalese resourcefulness I've seen since the earthquake last month is the Himalayan Climate Initiative's portable earthquake-proof house that can be carried to mountainous areas on porter back. Continue reading

Colonel Jimmy Roberts and the first ascent of Mera Peak

Sixty-two years ago to the day Colonel Jimmy Roberts made the first ascent of Mera Peak with the Sherpa Sen Tenzing. This little postscript to the first ascent of Everest in 1953 may have been the birth of commercial trekking. Continue reading

Aconcagua and a first taste of expedition life: an extract from my book

It’s time to update you once more on current progress with the book I'm threatening to publish about my journey from simple hill walker to Everest summiteer. Here’s the latest, along with a teaser from the book to try and convince you to buy it. Continue reading

As climbers wring their hands about Everest, Nepal quietly rebuilds

While the climbing community were busy bickering about Everest, the Nepalese were quietly rebuilding their lives after the devastating earthquake. As trustee of a development charity I was given a privileged insight into what they've been up to. Continue reading

Nepal earthquake: who should I donate to?

People have been asking me to recommend a charity to help victims of the Nepal earthquake. It's a difficult question, because it depends on personal preferences and priorities, but I know a little about Nepal, and though I'm no expert on disaster response, I'll do my best to answer. Continue reading