Club sponsors hit new heights

 

South West Communications Group’s directors Sarah Flowers and Brian Lodge have returned from climbing 5,500 metres to one of the peaks of the Annapura range in the Himalayas to raise more than £3,000 for the Exeter Foundation.

Initially the intrepid pair were due to climb to Mount Everest’s south base camp, but had to change their plans at the last minute due to poor weather and a tragic airline accident.
As Brian explains: “We climbed the whole way up the mountains from under 800m covering around 4,700m in height to a point even higher than Everest base camp. We did not walk back but actually crossed the Himalayas via the Thorung La pass and came out on the other side.”

The team, which also included Mrs Flowers’ husband Kevin, Mr Lodge’s wife Nina and guide Paul Mattin, embarked on a far less travelled trek that took 17 days in total. They suffered various injuries and extreme fatigue along the way and stayed in very basic accommodation in often freezing conditions.

On the day they reached the peak, the team left in the dark at 5am with the temperature at -10 degrees climbing steeply for five hours before beginning the 1,400m tough descent to find their next accommodation.

Brian added: “We met people with absolutely nothing who were happier than anyone we have ever known. Our team became the closest of friends as we experienced cold, hunger, pain and complete elation together. And while the aches and pains may last a day or two more, the memories of Nepal and the Himalayas will, I am sure, last us all a lifetime.”

Brian and Sarah returned to work at Communications House in Exeter last week, but there is still a chance to sponsor the team for their endeavours by visiting their Virgin Money Giving page at TEAM SWCOMMS EVEREST TREK.