Grandad to scale heights of Everest
A CARDIFF grandad is swapping suits and spreadsheets for sheer rock faces as he prepares to climb Mount Everest.
Businessman and grandad-of-three Allan Meek will set off for the challenge on April 4.
The 56-year-old will attempt to climb the south side of the world’s tallest mountain accompanied by experienced Sherpas.
The expedition’s 60-day itinerary kicks off when he arrives in Kathmandu, before facing a timetable packed with acclimatisation days, climbing days and rest days.
It’s one of the world’s toughest and most difficult climbs and Allan has had to make sure he’s prepared both physically and mentally.
He said: “I’ve climbed in Nepal once before and also in the Alps and the Andes, but nothing on this scale. It’s a real step into the unknown.
“I’ve had lots of advice on how to prepare – I had a great week in Scotland in January with an amazing trainer called Adele Pennington, the only British woman to have climbed Everest twice.
“She put me through my paces and gave me confidence for the trip.
“I’ve also been using an altitude training mask – I don’t know if it makes any difference but it gets me some strange looks in the gym and on the mountains.”
Allan, who works as the managing director for SCS Group – a Cardiffbased provider of smoke control systems – said he hasn’t talked about it much with his grandchildren in the build-up to the challenge.
“They are just four, three, and six months old, so I haven’t really gone into any detail about it – but I’m planning to bring them back some yak bells as souvenirs.”
Living in South Wales has helped Allan with his training – using the hills to run and cycle up.
But he hasn’t just used high intensity exercise to prepare. As well as giving up alcohol, he’s also found strength in stretching.
He said: “I’ve done a lot of yoga in the last year as it’s important to have a strong core.”
Allan knows he has challenges ahead which he can’t completely prepare for.
He said: “I’m not looking forward to altitude sickness mainly. It’s inevitable that you will suffer at some point on a trip like this.
“You get used to everything else, like the cold and the lack of showers and toilets.”
He added: “I’m going to really miss my family, I’ll be able to talk to them from base camp but you’re still on the other side of the world.”
He has been sponsored in his quest by SCS Group and, if he’s successful, he will be out flying the company flag when he returns.
He said: “I feel really fortunate that I’ve got such a great team at SCS running the business while I’m away – and undoubtedly doing a better job without me!”