Captain Tim Bradshaw part of team set to tackle notorious north face
A brave army reservist is set to tackle the most formidable mountain on the planet.
Cpt Tim Bradshaw, from the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), in City Road, Finsbury is part of a British Army team hand-picked to take on the notorious north face of Mount Everest.
The 39-year-old is part of a six strong team of regular and reserve serving soldiers who will attempt to reach the summit in May, following the route of George Mallory one hundred years ago.
He said: “It’s going to take us six weeks to make the 8,848 metre climb and I’ll be calling on all my courage and endurance during that time.
“My experience of the rigours of the HAC Patrol’s Course and my two operational tours will stand me in good stead with fatigue being a major factor.”
Cpt Bradshaw is an ex-regular soldier who joined the Army Reserves seven years ago after missing the challenge of military life.
He has completed two operational tours to Afghanistan and is looking forward to the myriad challenges that climbing Everest will bring.
The team has been conducting mountaineering and rope work training in Scotland and in the Alps and for the next couple of weeks will be living in an altitude chamber as part of a research study into the effects of hypoxia (shortage of oxygen) on the human body.
In 1924 George Mallory, who was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, took on the extraordinary and ill-fated challenge of climbing the North face of Everest, with his friend and climbing partner Andrew Irving as a way of coping with shell shock after his experiences in the First World War.
It is, in part, in memory of George Mallory that the British Army is planning an ascent of Everest on the northern side of the mountain.
The summit attempt was officially launched on March 11 in the HAC’s Long Room.
Lt General Sir Richard Barrons, Commander Joint Force Command at Army Headquarters, said: “I am delighted to be part of the patronage for this expedition to Everest.”
He added: “This is a great endeavour and I wish the team every success.”
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