Climber ascending a snowy mountain peak under a clear blue sky, with distant mountain ranges visible in the background.

Andy Barlass, Warehouse Despatch Team

The lure of climbing in Nepal has always appealed to me.

One of my great loves in life is climbing, which started over 15 years ago and led to some fantastic adventures. I've worked at Ellis Brigham for a total of six years, across a variety of roles from in-store to customer service, and now in despatch, where I handle international deliveries.

I first visited the Annapurna region in 2015, hoping to climb Tharpu Chuli. But with limited preparation and experience, we had to turn back. That trip came early in my climbing career, and looking back, I can see just how underprepared I was for the demands of the Himalayas. What I did discover was a love for Nepal and its incredible mountains. I promised myself I’d return one day.

Now, nine years later, I finally did. This time, I convinced my climbing partner Joe to come along, and together we set our sights on the Khumbu Valley. There, we found Kyajo Ri—a striking peak surrounded by the highest mountains on Earth. It offered exactly what we were looking for: a challenging alpine climb, ambitious but within reach.

The start of the journey

The Long Road to Lukla

Small passenger plane in Nepal on a runway with people in safety vests refueling and unloading luggage, surrounded by lush green hills.

The next day, we boarded our Yeti Air flight, ready for a white-knuckle ride to Lukla. Known as one of the most dangerous airports in the world due to its short runway, steep slope, and precarious location.

The atmosphere in the cabin was tense, thick with apprehension. We flew up a narrow gorge with towering walls on either side, Lukla just visible in the distance. Landing was imminent. The cabin held its breath. With a few bounces, we rolled up the steep runway—and were met with a round of applause for the pilots.

On the road from Lukla

The first days of the trek

A line of mules carrying loads crosses a suspension bridge adorned with colorful prayer flags in a lush, forested area in Lukla Nepal.

Rest day in Namche Bazaar

First views of Everest

Two people sitting on a stone wall, looking at a phone. Backpacks beside them. Snowy mountain and trees in the background.

Into Khunde

A quieter glimpse of sherpa life

Hikers with backpacks walk along a stone path in a mountain village, with snow-capped peaks in the background under a clear blue sky.

En route to Thesubu Khola Valley

A tough climb to base camp

Promo image for En route to Thesubu Khola Valley

We were treated to a warm meal and a very roomy tent at camp. We took a much-needed rest day to recover and acclimatise. The weather was holding, with only light snow forecast. Most of the day passed in and out of the tent, reading and chatting with the basecamp team. Over the radio, we heard the group ahead had summited and would be returning the next day.

Restless rest day

A rough night

Person in a blue jacket and beanie relaxes in a tent, reading a book titled "Joe Abercrombie." Sleeping bags are visible around them.

Calling It on Kyajo Ri

A difficult decision

A yellow tent illuminated at night against a backdrop of towering, rocky mountains with a starry sky above.

Rest day in Khumjung

Rest, recovery and a reroute

A colorful prayer wheel and stone with inscriptions in a Himalayan village, surrounded by trees and mountains under a clear blue sky.

Encouraged by our lodge host, a former climbing Sherpa with ascents of Cho Oyu and Mount Everest to his name, we felt confident this was a good plan. Making the most of the rest day, we soaked up Khumjung’s sights, including the temple with the famed yeti scalp, feeling hopeful again.

Visiting the Pangboche clinic

A tough day on the trail

A small health post in Pangboche with a sign in Nepali, surrounded by trees and mountains, under a cloudy sky.

I spent the afternoon in constant pain and glued to the toilet, surviving on Dioralyte and sheer willpower. After speaking with our friend Andy T, a seasoned Himalayan climber and ex-doctor back in the UK, we visited the Pangboche clinic the next day based on his recommendation. The doctor prescribed a strong mix of medications, and I committed to a full rest day. That evening, I slowly began to come alive again and joined Joe and Firos in the common room for a small dinner. While I stayed close to bed, Joe hiked to Ama Dablam basecamp, and we reunited that evening to swap stories.

Watching the sun set from Gorak Shep

The cold leg

Person in a jacket and cap stands outdoors with colorful prayer flags and a clear blue sky in the background.

Reaching Everest Base Camp

A hard won milestone

Two people smiling in front of a colorful sign at Everest Base Camp, surrounded by snowy mountains and prayer flags under a clear blue sky.

Having taken in the moment, we finally returned to Lobuche again to decide on our next steps. The plan was to climb Lobuche East, but I was worse than ever. spent most of the day in bed while Joe, still inexplicably healthy, kept the energy up for the rest of us. Climbing felt like a distant dream, and for now, all we could do was rest.

The summit plan

Testing our limits

A glass pyramid structure in a snowy mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky, with snow-dusted peaks in the background.

To High Camp

The last climb before the summit

A person in a blue jacket and cap sits on a rock with backpacks, against a backdrop of snowy mountains and a clear blue sky.

After a gruelling climb, we reached a rocky terrace at 5,300m and set up camp, securing the tent against the wind. Though we were burning energy fast, the altitude killed our appetites; my rehydrated chicken tikka was hard to stomach, but Joe kept me going. We drank as much as we could, crawled into the tent, and set alarms for 2 am. The summit push lay ahead.

The climb to the summit

An early start

Climbers on a snowy mountain at dusk, wearing headlamps and climbing gear, with dark silhouettes of peaks in the background.

The final ridge

High enough

A person in an orange jacket stands on a snowy mountain ridge, surrounded by towering peaks under a clear blue sky.

The view from the top

What we came for

Two climbers in bright jackets and helmets smile on a snowy mountain with clear blue skies. One makes a playful gesture behind the other.

Nepal trekking kit

Nepal mountain gear

Nepal climbing kit

About the author

Image of Andy, Warehouse Despatch Team

Andy, Warehouse Despatch Team

One of my great loves in life is climbing, which started over 15 years ago and led to some fantastic adventures. I've worked at Ellis Brigham for a total of six years, across a variety of roles from in-store to customer service, and now in despatch, where I handle international deliveries.

Our staff expedition grant

Each year, members of the team can apply for an Expedition Grant to help them do what they love the most.

Read more

Image of Climbing in the Alps

Climbing in the Alps

A summer of alpine, trad and sport climbing in the Alps as told by Oscar, our product copywriter.

Image of The Peaks of the Balkans Trail

The Peaks of the Balkans Trail

Alex our store manager at Covent Garden spent 9 days exploring the Peaks of The Balkans Trail.

Image of Fastpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc

Fastpacking the Tour du Mont Blanc

In September, Jon Davies, Ellis Brigham Store Manager, and Jennifer Bayford, a Ski Supervisor with six years of experience, along with her husband James Bayford, a former Ellis Brigham team member, set out to fastpack the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB).

Image of Ice Climbing in Norway

Ice Climbing in Norway

With hundreds of routes from WI2 to WI6, this small town offers reliable ice, dramatic settings, and challenges for every level of climber. Leaving London behind, Alex Serban, manager of our Covent Garden store, set out with climbing partner James to discover why Rjukan is one of Europe’s best ice climbing destinations.