24SUMMIT ELSE
Deon in bid to become first Black Englishman to conquer Everest
EXCLUSIVE
BY
AN adventurer is on a mission to become the first Black Englishman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Deon Barrett, 31, will take on the feat during Black History Month in a bid to encourage more Black people to embrace the great outdoors.
To prepare for the epic challenge – branded the True North Project – Deon has scaled 12 mountains across the UK in just four days, covering almost 55 miles, climbing 21,087ft and battling winds of 75mph as well as sleet and snow.
Now he is preparing to tackle the world’s highest peak.
Deon said: “For me, as a Black person, not seeing many people of colour on the mountains never really sunk in until a white friend of mine said, ‘You’re the only Black person here’. That was the first time I really paid attention to it.
“However, when you’re out in the countryside, walking or climbing, colour is irrelevant.
“I’m sure we’ll see more Black climbers, but being able to step out of your everyday life and press the reset button is crucial.”
The first Black British man to climb Everest was Richard Parks, a
When you are out walking or climbing, colour is irrelevant
Welsh rugby player of Jamaican descent, who did it in 2011.
But Deon has been inspired to tackle the feat by South Africa’s Sibusiso Vilane.
The adventurer made history in 2003 when he became the first Black African to reach the top of the 29,030ft mountain.
According to the Office for National Statistics, hiking is often considered a white-dominated activity as only 2% of Black people in Britain live in the countryside.
A report from The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
also shows that Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities feel “disconnected” from rural pursuits.
Just 0.8% of national park governing bodies and 1% of visitors are Black, while just 1% per cent of summer mountain leaders and rockclimbing instructors are from BAME backgrounds, ONS figures show.
In order to change this, there has been a surge in the number of groups encouraging people from ethnic minorities to try hiking, such as Black Girls Hike in Gtr Manchester.
To take on Everest, Deon, from Surbiton, South West London, needs to raise around £90,000 – but is on course to do the climb in 2025.
He said: “Obviously, if I can raise the money or get sponsorship ahead of that, I can look at going earlier but this seems the most realistic time at the moment.
“You also need a permit to climb Everest and before you can apply for that, you have to climb a 6,000m peak to prove you’re capable.
“If all goes well, I am looking to climb Ama Dablam in the Himalayas in April.”
Deon, who became a father just 16 weeks ago, added: “This mission is more than just climbing mountains.
“I want to achieve it as something to inspire other people and my own daughter, and to show her that you can go after your dreams.
“Hopefully she will also have the same love of the outdoors as I do.”
laura.connor@sundaymirror.co.uk