Damian's chill factor

Thursday, 26 November 2009

By Pat Jones

DAMIAN Walters has come in from the cold – for the time being anyway.

He spent a day in sub-zero temperatures testing himself and his equipment in preparation for a proposed assault on Mount Everest, next year.

The 40-year-old intends to climb the world’s tallest mountain to raise cash for Little Haven’s Children’s Hospice.

After several months of hard work in the gym on cross trainers and treadmills, Damian decided it was time to tackle the chill factor.

“It can be minus 44 degrees on Everest, so I wanted to be sure me, my clothes and equipment would be able to take it,” he said.

He enlisted the help of the Basildon branch of MIRA, an independent engineering, testing consultancy, which has worldwide clients.

“I remembered that James Cracknell and Ben Fogle went to MIRA’s Nuneaton HQ for a test run before they entered the race to the South Pole early this year,” said Damian, who lives in Orsett.

“The firm was really helpful. I spent the best part of the day in and out of the testing facility in Paycocke Road, where temperatures were as low as minus 44 – and survived,” he added.

Damian hopes to raise £50,000 on the climb.

He will be joining an Australian-led expedition of six climbers and they plan to meet up in France early next year, for a training exercise on Mont Blanc.

“I really want to help the hospice,” he said.

“I was so impressed with the care it gives to child sufferers and their families.”

Damian has changed his lifestyle completely since he ‘discovered’ Little Havens and decided to help.

He has already lost more has two stones in his 14-month schedule to get fit enough to tackle Everest.

Along the way he will ‘sell’ an opportunity for people to have their names taken to Everest for just £5.

The bunting-type flags with the names inscribed will be left on the mountain – Tibetans believe that as the wind blows thorough the flags, the words are transported through the air and are immortalised forever.

• Learn more about the expedition and flags by logging on to www.essex-to-everest.org.uk

Email: basildon@yellowad.co.uk

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