Renowned adventurer joins mountain rescue
AN internationally renowned mountaineer has joined Buxton Mountain Rescue Team to help with training, fundraising and operational support.
The group helps those stranded in the region including Macclesfield Forest.
They will now get expert help from Nigel Vardy is a record breaking climber, author and motivational speaker.
He suffered horrendous amputations of his fingers, toes and nose after getting frostbite climbing in Alaska in 1999.
He needed reconstructive facial surgery and after three years recovering from his injuries, Nigel returned to climbing.
Since 2001 he has climbed in the Alps, Dolomites, Nepali and Indian Himalayas, The Caucasus, South Africa and Brazil.
He has also appeared on national and international TV and radio and has written extensively about his experiences.
A long time supporter of mountain rescue Nigel is now in the position to get more closely involved for.
Nigel, who now lives across the border in Derbyshire, said: “Watching parts of my body die were some of the hardest days of my life.
“Those tiny things suddenly became so important, especially at the prospect of losing them.”
Nigel grew up in the Peak District and got a taste for climbing expeditions in the early 1990s.
Nigel said his first memorable experience in the mountains was when the Snowden train came off its rails.
He said: “I think it was 1976 and the toothed cog failed on the way up.
“The train had to apply the emergency brake and evacuate everyone whilst repairs were made.
“I should have known that I would be a disaster from then on.”
Last year the charity celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Roger Bennett from BMRT said: “Nigel will be a great asset to the team and we are fortunate that he has chosen to join Buxton MRT.
“I know he has a lot to offer both in raising the team’s profile and practical advice.
“I’m sure he will be a bonus not just to Buxton team but to all the Peak District teams and probably further afield.”
The group runs purely on donations from the public.
To see how you can support the group or to see more about the work they do visit the website www. buxtonmountainrescue. co.uk.