High society

A touch of class came to Everest on Sunday as a British adventurer set a new record for hosting the world’s highest black tie dinner party. Neil Laughton (in baseball cap), held a trial run at Base Camp, pictured, before leading a team of eight mountaineers to an altitude of 23,129ft (7,050m) where they donned dinner jackets and ball gowns for a threecourse meal by Sat Bains, a Michelinstarred chef. “It was -13F (-25C) and the champagne started to freeze, but we managed to toast Her Majesty,” said Mr Laughton. The trip raised £100,000 for Sherpas hit by recent earthquakes.