Steve Dixon, is preparing for the advenutre of a lifetime – climbing Mount Everest. He spoke to Martin Paul…
A 62-YEAR-OLD adventurer from Barney aims to summit the world’s highest peak to show his grandchildren they can achieve their life goals.
Steve Dixon will be flying to Kathmandu on April 9, and hopes to reach the top of Mount Everest, in Nepal, in May.
The former technical manager at William Smith Group and grandfather to three has always had a passion for mountaineering but never went far with it, instead focussing on family and career.
His love for climbing was re-kindled about ten years ago when he and friend Richard Kettlewell decided, over drinks at Barnard Castle Cricket Club, to climb Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mr Dixon described the experience as incredible. He said: “It is not just the climb, but the culture when you go there. You are next to savannah, you see elephants, and then there is this snow-topped mountain.”
Steve is currently a groundsman at the cricket club and became involved through his sons Mike and Rob who both played for the first team.
When not tending to the pitch, he has been honing his climbing skills going on trips around the world with Lake District company Adventure Peaks.
This includes four trips to the Alps including the famous Mont Blanc.
Mr Dixon said: “I have never done the Matterhorn, I would love to do that.”
He has also climbed 5,600m to the top of Russia’s Mount Elbrus and higher peaks in Nepal such as Kyajo Ri 6,100m and Himlung Himal at almost 7,200m.
An attempt at Annapurna IV’s 7,525m peak proved less successful.
He said: “I didn’t summit – we were blown out by a massive dump of snow and had to helicoptered out.”
Of his most daring adventure yet, Mr Dixon said: “I have been thinking about it for a couple of years but never dreamt I would be able to do it. As I did more and more, going higher and higher, I started to think I could do it.
“At my age I need to do it soon. Only a few people have done it at my age. I’ve got the opportunity and the support of my family and I have got the time… and I like a challenge.”
Only five Britons over the age of 62 have reached the peak of Mount Everest, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes who achieved it at age 65.
Mr Dixon added: “The kids and the grandchildren are another reason I want to do it. I want to show them if there is something you want to do in life then you can do it – with an opportunity and a little luck you can do it.”
About four weeks before flying out Mr Dixon will have to sleep with a specialist tent over his bed for seven hours each night, which steadily reduces pressure to help him to acclimatise.
Despite all the preparation, Mr Dixon is under no illusions about how difficult the task ahead of him will be.
He said: “I know the pain you have to go through to get there. The last one I did was very cold and the wind chill was really bad. You are also loaded with gear with a down suit.”
