An update on Tim’s Everest Challenge

After an extraordinary journey on Mount Everest, Tim has made the difficult but wise decision to step back from a summit attempt on this occasion.

Having reached approximately 7,000m on the Lhotse Face, Tim had already pushed deep into one of the most demanding environments on earth. Following guidance from his expedition team, and after becoming unwell at altitude, the decision was taken to prioritise safety.

As Tim shared: “I am sorry not to be able to complete the job this time, having done so much of the hard work and suffering… but I have to be grateful to be alive and able to come back another day.”

What he has achieved is nothing short of remarkable.

Arriving in Nepal in a wheelchair due to a knee injury, Tim went on to tackle multiple rotations through the Khumbu Icefall and climb to extreme altitude, earning huge respect from fellow climbers for his resilience and determination.

Tim's Story

My name is Tim Batstone and on 20 April I left the comforts of my Oxfordshire home and headed to the Himalayas to attempt to climb the highest mountain on earth – sometime in May.

I am going to be 67 years old and, if I succeed, then I will be one of only two British old age pensioners and in and around the top 10 oldest people to have reached the summit of Everest. I don’t think I am completely deluded, having last month warmed up by climbing Aconcagua – at 7,000m the highest mountain in the Andes.

Endurance challenges have always appealed to me. Some 40 years ago I spent 70 days circumnavigating Britain on a windsurfer (earning a little mention in the Guinness Book of Records) and have since done various swimming, running, cycling and mountaineering challenges too. Everest has long been on my to do list and I am excited to have finally got round to tackling it.

The preparation has been challenging physically and has exposed one or two issues. I had an injection for an inflamed ankle in November which had me on crutches for a couple of weeks, and I have a meniscal tear in my knee from coming down Aconcagua too quickly. I guess it’s all a reminder of why people my age don’t generally do this.

To complete the tale of woe (and the list of excuses should this go horribly wrong) a few years ago I began collapsing without warning and what started as occasional episode escalated into an almost daily occurrence. During these incidents my heart would stop so I was fitted with a pacemaker, but the problems persisted. It was only after being prescribed epilepsy medication that my seizures miraculously stopped and I haven’t had an epileptic episode for over two years now.

What better to do with a new lease of life than climb the world’s highest mountain!

I am giving myself the best chance of a safe and successful expedition with guide Kenton Cool in my corner. You can follow our progress through Kenton’s Instagram account.

Raising money for good causes is something I am passionate about and it has been a huge motivator in my various sporting endeavours over the years – and this will be a challenge for which I will need every ounce of encouragement that I can get.

If anybody would like to donate something, however small, to support Oriel College as it celebrates 700 years, I would be absolutely thrilled.

Many thanks for taking the time to read about my project, and for any contribution you may feel able to make.

Chomolungma here we come!

Where will my donation go?

All donations will contribute directly to where the need is greatest at Oriel College.