Everest Trekking: Preparing for The High Passes with Peter

Allow us to introduce you to Peter Griffiths. Fifty years old, married to Julie and together they have a son Ryan age 18 and a 14-year-old daughter Jess. The family lives in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, in the United Kingdom. Peter spends most of his time running his own company, undertaking projects, custom building home cinemas and also all soundproofing projects, for both residential and commercial properties in the Uk and overseas. About himself, Peter says: “I have a relatively active lifestyle through my work, and enjoy active holidays with my family. I have always enjoyed walking and we spend quite a lot of our spare time walking in the South Downs or coastal walks on the South Coast of England.” In exactly one month, Peter will join us on the Everest High Passes trek in Nepal’s Himalaya and we sat down with him to hear about his preparation for the trek and how he choose to do this Everest trekking holiday.

Peter preparing for his Everest trekking trip

1. What made you decide to go on an Everest trekking trip?

"I decided on the trip to Nepal, because the culture and way of life have always appealed to me, along with the cuisine. I was fortune enough to spend some time with the Gurkhas while training with the army in the Brecon Beacons mountain range in South Wales.

2. How did you choose the Everest High Passes trek and what expectations do you have of it?

The Everest High Passes trek appealed to me as it was graded ‘challenging’. I wanted to push and test myself.

I expect to be challenged both physically and mentally, whilst trekking through some of the most breath-taking scenery in the world with people from all different walks of life.

3. How are you preparing for your Everest trek?

My preparation for this Everest trekking trip has included shedding over 2 stone in weight, building a gym in my basement and walking numerous miles weekly over varied terrain. My fitness routine has gradually increased with more cardio and longer walks with steeper hills. I am both physically and mentally prepared, and I think being an ex-solider has helped me with my preparation.

4. We heard you are raising funds for the charity Care After Combat?

That’s true, Care after Combat is a UK-based charity helping veterans settle back into civilian life. They have found adjusting to life on Civi street difficult and some get into trouble, for example they turn to alcohol and drugs to get by. I have seen first-hand how some ex squaddies struggle and I want to try and help and hopefully make a difference. It is a really good cause and a relatively new charity in the UK.

5. Are there ways we can follow you during your Everest trek?

Yes, you can follow me! I will be wearing a Go-pro (my wife kindly bought me one, just to check that I am actually trekking and not lying on a beach for 21 days!!!!). So I will send pictures back home when I can and post on my platform about the trek.

6. What, do you think, would be the most challenging aspect of the trek for you?

For me the challenge will be leaving my family to go on this adventure. They have been so supportive and they encourage me continuously, which I really appreciate.

7. And what is the one thing of this trip that you most look forward to?

For me I look forward to the personal challenge, both physically and mentally. If at the same time I can raise some donations for Care after Combat that will be a very good feeling, and a feeling of success for myself and that I am doing something for others.

Thank you so much for your help, kindness and generosity."

Peter, we wish you a fantastic Everest trekking trip ahead and would love to hear from you upon your return!

Curious to find out what Everest trekking holiday Peter will be joining next month? Find out more about our Everest High Passes trek and download the trip notes, or get in touch with our team of travel experts around the world for a personal consult.

Peter has informed us that if you are interested and would be kind enough to donate to his cause, because most of us do know or know of a veteran, you can visit his charity page for more details.