First Welshman to climb Mount Everest slams 'expensive' trips
The adventure and mountaineering industry has turned into "a complete circus which is too expensive", according to the first Welshman to climb Mount Everest.Caradoc Jones, 66, said large companies demanded too much money for excursions to some of the world's biggest attractions.Mr Jones, who is originally from Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, reached the summit of the world's highest mountain on 23 May 1995 and since then he has continued to climb in some of the most remote areas."We have to be careful that we don't lose the element of a real adventure," he said.
Mr Jones, who now lives in Helsby, Cheshire, said his journey with mountaineering began by "climbing mountains in Eryri when I was young"."Then I learned ice climbing in Scotland, the Alps and there were many campaigns before going to Everest," he said.While preparing for the challenge in 1995 with his Danish climbing partner, Michael Knakkergaard Jørgensen, Mr Jones started the journey in the Tibet area, north of Everest."There's a rocky road that goes all the way to base camp and it's about 20km [12.4 miles] from the East Rongbuk Glacier to the advanced base. Then the real climbing starts there when you're up 6,000 feet [183m]".
He said climbing at height was "very difficult" on his body, "although we had adapted in Nepal". As the pair approached the summit there was still no guarantee of success, with bad weather putting the whole adventure in jeopardy."We were caught in a storm in the highest spot of around 8,300 meters [27,000 ft] for three days, until the wind then dropped and we got the opportunity to go to the summit. But there was no certainty until the last few minutes."With a clear gap in the extreme weather, they both managed to make it to the summit and Mr Jones said it was a huge relief."Finally you think you're going to succeed because you see the old flags on the top and the last 200 yards from the north are not steep so you just feel happiness and relief as you approach," he said."I grew up when Everest was a personal battle, and finally we had succeeded."
Mr Jones said his trip 30 years ago cost between £2,000 and £3,000, compared to an average cost now of between £40,000 and £60,000."People tend to think that you can't do things like this unless you have done a course or passed an exam and bought all this kit," he said."It has turned into a complete circus and has almost nothing to do with real mountaineering."People are quietly doing much harder things in every corner of the world and that's where the heart of mountaineering and climbing lies I think."Mr Jones is still climbing, with a trip to the Himalayas planned for the end of the year, and insists that there is adventure to be found in every corner of the world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Alaska rangers recover body of man who died from fall on North America's tallest peak
Mountaineering rangers in Alaska recovered the body of a Seattle man who died after falling 3,000ft from a climbing route on Denali, or Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in North America. The National Park Service said that Alex Chiu, 41, was on the treacherous mountain's west buttress route when he fell from a location called Squirrel Point, about 12,000ft above sea level. Chui's body was transferred to the state medical examiner on Wednesday, the Denali National Park and Preserve said. Two other members of Chui's team had reported on Monday that Chui had fallen and that they had lowered over the edge as far as possible but were unable to see or hear Chui. He was not roped up at the time of the fall. Ground and air search crews were unable to reach the site until early Wednesday because of very high winds and heavy snow. An unroped French mountaineer fell to his death near the same location in 2010. His body was never recovered. This is the busiest time of year for climbing the peak, in May and June when climbers descend on the regional town of Talkeetna. There are currently 500 climbers on the peak and more on other mountains and glacial approaches to peaks in the spectacular range that is breathtaking but fraught with risk. Denali is known to be deceptively dangerous, although it looks relatively benign to ordinary tourists viewing the summit on a clear day from Denali National Park. Despite being lower above sea level, the mountain has a greater vertical climb from the base to the summit than the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest in the Himalaya. Climbers wanting to summit Denali must scale 18,000 vertical feet compared with Everest's 12,000ft. The Associated Press contributed reporting.
TTG
6 hours ago
- TTG
How to generate £500,000+ from a client event
SHOWCASING SPECIALISMS Homing in on one destination has worked well for Sam Smith Travel. The Welsh agency, part of Ocky White Travel, netted £200,000 worth of bookings from a Japan-themed client dinner, then around £500,000 from an in-agency Australasia weekend. The Japan evening saw VIP bookers and customers who'd expressed an interest in the destination treated to a meal at Ivy Asia Cardiff. It was sponsored, at the agency's request, by Japan National Tourism Organisation, which even sent its Tokyo head. A Wendy Wu representative also attended. After some 'short, sharp and sweet presentations, the vibe was prosecco and talk about Japan', says sales and commercial manager Suzanne Cumpston. Knowing there would be a buzz around Australia thanks to the British and Irish Lions rugby tour this year, Sam Smith later held three fizz-fuelled social drop-in days to talk holidays down under. A BBC radio interview on the topic helped alert listeners to the agency's tailor-made expertise. Ahead of the event, Sam Smith staff updated their knowledge of products and trends by completing Aussie Specialist Program modules. They also primed Australasia experts at several operators to take enquiries during the weekend, with Prestige proving particularly helpful. 'It's not just about the event and it's not just about the revenue you do on that day or the halo effect within a week or two; you become famous for a destination. Maybe months down the line they remember us as an Australia specialist,' explains Cumpston. Sam Smith deliberately showcases destinations that suit the tailor-made strengths of independent agencies. Similar events highlight how it can book individual cruise lines face-to-face. Results from a Celebrity Cruises event included a group booking. 'I think people need more hand-holding with cruise,' Cumpston points out. To further raise the agency's profile, the venue for next year's key event will be a castle. Analysing favourite and trending holidays is important for picking a theme, Cumpston advises. 'Know your audience, know your market, and go in heavy with the marketing side of things. Be switched on inviting the right people to the event.' Sam Smith Travel builds events around single destinations INCENTIVISING BOOKERS Magic Vacations in Kinsale, Ireland is in the sixth year of its Big 10 travel event. Each September more than 1,000 attendees meet 10 of its core tour operator, theme park and cruise line suppliers. Prizes are up for grabs and upgrades are given to those booking within a certain time window. The event now generates around €250,000 worth of sales in the following fortnight alone. Codes for Big 10 sales help the team track what's working and what can be built on for the following year. The agency also gains marketing opt-ins from those who reserve free tickets to the event. 'Really, September for us is as big as January,' says managing director John Barrett. Keeping the event 'tight and relevant' is the key to its success, he explains. 'We're actually turning suppliers away – we need them to tie in with our core product.' The theme park and cruise specialist knew it was originally a big ask to get suppliers such as Disney, Universal and Legoland to an event beyond Dublin, but its close relationships helped and now 'they have the belief that the event is going to be a success'. In a similarly ambitious move, Magic Vacations spent a year-and-a-half negotiating a significant cruise embarkation from Cobh (Cork) which it was able to sell at its 2024 Big 10 event. The agency had an allocation of 50 cabins on MSC Virtuosa, which sold out in 48 hours. 'We could have sold 200!' says Barrett, who now has his sights set on having a major ex-Cork cruise to sell at each Big 10. It comes down to 'thinking outside of the box', he says.
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
The Waverley returns to Bristol 50 years since its relaunch
The world's last seagoing paddle steamer returns to the Bristol channel this month offering popular day trips across the West and South West Waverley is a vessel of national significance and is registered on The National Historic Fleet with almost 80 years of has operated in preservation since 1975 becoming a "national treasure" after carrying an estimated six million passengers."We have developed the best possible sailing programme for the Bristol Channel to ensure that as many locals and visitors as possible have the opportunity to step aboard the Waverley," said Captain Dominic McCall. Strong winds in early June effected an excursion and a crew member noticed a boiler leaking steam on the ship which needed to be repaired ship will now be ready to set sail again for its planned tours on 6 June where passengers can join a special fundraising cruise round the Holm Islands to help support the maintenance of Clevedon Pier, the only Grade 1 listed pier in England. This season includes two planned trips to the remote Lundy Island – passengers that board the Bristol channel experience will be allowed to step ashore and explore the mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway the Waverley is giving the "ultimate day out" by connecting three steam railways – the West Somerset, the Brecon Mountain and Lynton & Barnstable railways by taking a paddle steamer and steam train around the Bristol Channel and South West Wales are until 25 June, where the Waverley will be exploring Glasgow and Clyde Coast Summer from 27 June.
