Kenton Cool / Richard Walker – Everest 2023
Kenton Cool will guide Iceland Foods Chairman Richard Walker on Everest this year.
For Kenton, it will be a chance to make his 17th summit on the World’s biggest mountain, while for his client, it is his second time on the these slopes, but first time in attempting for the top.
Here is a diary of their journey to the top of the World…
19th May
Richard Walker: Greetings from Everest base camp. We are now safely back down after an eventful summit and three-day descent. A huge shout out to Kenton Cool and Dorjee Gyelzen for your guidance, and to Iceland foods for your unwavering support. We’re half way to our £1 million target for the @brainappeal.
17th May
At 0130 UK time, Kenton, Richard and Dorjee Gyelzen summited Mount Everest!!!
Conditions on the summit push were incredibly cold, leading to multiple tech failures with the tracker/comms going down.
They are now resting at Camp 4 before heading back down the mountain. Stay tuned for more photos and stories of this epic feat!
16th May
The tracker shows that Kenton and Richard are at the South Col.
15th May
Those following the tracker will know that Kenton and Richard reached camp 3 earlier today.
They’re resting there before heading higher over the coming days!
12th May
Richard Walker: The sun is shining on Everest and it’s GO TIME! Tonight we leave Base Camp to start our summit bid.
10th May
Richard Walker: And back we go to Base Camp
7th May
Richard Walker: Today is a rest day.
4th May
Richard Walker: Over the last few days we’ve done our rotation up through the icefall to the foot of the Lhotse Face and back. Now fattening up at Base Camp and waiting for the weather.
25th April
Richard Walker: Our first stop has been the incredible Namche Bazaar, and it’s been fantastic to meet the Sherpa people along the way who have been helping our first few days of day treks are run smoothly.
24th April
Kenton Cool: “A moving ceremony in Pangbouch monastery this morning. A time to stop, reflect and consider. Thank you Lama Palgo.”
Richard Walker: Our first few days trekking have gotten off to a great start! Oxygen levels are low as expected, but what better place to acclimatise. Thanks to your donations, we’re close to the 250k mark!
Richard Walker: Stunning views from Pheriche tonight. Albeit these mountains are 2km lower than where we’re going!
19th April
Kenton Cool: Back in Kathmandu….it’s good to be back, apart from the pollution!!
17th April
Kenton Cool: Time to head to Everest!
Richard revealed his quest on his website back in March.
“Our plan is to climb Everest from Base Camp on the south (Nepal) side of the mountain as a very light team heading – if we can – straight for the top. This is in marked contrast to the Iceland Everest Expedition of 2011, which tackled the mountain from the north (China) side and comprised experienced European and American climbers, two complete novices in my Dad and me, a small army of supporting Sherpas and even a team of yaks to carry the heavy luggage (including Dad’s personal toilet).
“We aim to complete the climb in just three weeks by compressing the traditional pattern of repeated ascents and descents for the purpose of acclimatisation, as described by Sir David Hempleman-Adams in No Such Thing as Failure.
“In setting this hugely ambitious goal, we are relying on Kenton Cool’s unparalleled experience as a 16-times Everest summiteer and a hugely experienced guide.”
Richard is climbing to raise vitally needed funds for the world’s first Rare Dementia Support Centre. The expedition is entirely self-funded so all donations go directly to the project.
We will follow Richard and Kentons climb with interest!
