Mountaineers return home

A GROUP of intrepid mountaineers have returned home to East Anglia after braving sub-zero conditions during a trek across Nepal.

The hike, which lasted two weeks, included a trip to the awe-inspiring Mount Everest. The explorers ranged from 23-year-old Tim Acton, from Wrabness, whose father John organised the trip, to 65-year-old Peter Pattaini, from Dedham, whose son also went on the journey.

Tim Acton, it seems, is no stranger to adventure – for he was dramatically rescued on a previous outing last year in which he and two other crew had to be airlifted by helicopter from a sinking catamaran in the Pacific Ocean off New Zealand during a fierce storm.

However, the terrifying ordeal did not put adventure-loving Tim or his father off another expedition.

John Acton said: "The first four days were treacherous because of the sheer depth of the snow, which in some places had reached a depth of four metres. In those kind of conditions the yaks can't carry the equipment, so we were forced to make the tracks ourselves.

"The temperature dropped below –20 C, the paths became so covered that even the Sherpa guides lost their way. It's a very frightening experience getting lost in the dark in those kind of conditions.

"The 14-day trip was very trying, we were both mentally and physically exhausted by the time we returned home."

But he added: "Everyone had a shared sense of achievement. When you're standing at the dizzy height of 5,300 metres and looking over at Mount Everest, it's a big accomplishment.

"It's very difficult to function at such a high altitude and the fact that we got there at all is a big achievement in itself."

Each individual was raising money for their own special charities and the trip raised about £3,000 for causes ranging from Great Ormond Street Hospital children's charity to St Helena's Hospice in Colchester.