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B2BC: the summit

Izzy Payne

08.06.2023

They’ve only gone and bloody done it. Ryan and Alex successfully hiked to Everest Base Camp last month, all in the name of PHASE Worldwide. The boys trekked a mighty 135km over 14 days to reach Base Camp, facing altitude sickness, fatigue, and fitness challenges on the daily.

135km trekked

5,364m ascended

14 days on the move

£30k raised for PHASE worldwide

“We’re very fortunate to have experienced this life-changing hike, but it’s important to remind ourselves that this was for a good cause that will positively affect hundreds of people who need it. It’s a really humbling thing.”

Ryan Gledhill

The hike itself is a massive achievement but, as Ryan said, let’s not forget the motive behind their mission. The money raised by the B2BC crew will be donated to women and children living in remote regions of Nepal as well as funding their trip up Everest. PHASE empowers women in Nepal with the tools to provide for their families in challenging weather conditions, installing healthcare systems in isolated rural areas and teaching families the importance of nutrition and health. Their work changes the lives of so many people that would otherwise be living in extremely challenging circumstances.

Ryan, Alex and their team raised over £30,000 for the charity. This huge amount of money will be funnelled into remote areas of Nepal to improve healthcare, education and farming facilities for those in vulnerable positions. To put that money into context, the annual salary of a Nepalese nurse in one of these remote communities is around £5,000.

‘We focused on embracing the culture and really experiencing the conditions in Nepal during our trip. Knowing that the money we raised will go to change the lives of the people we met is a really special thing. It’s a good feeling to know that we made a positive impact.”

Alex Chiu

Ryan, glutton for the punishment that he is, decided that 5,354m wasn’t enough. He went on to hike Kala Patthar in the early hours of the morning following their arrival at Base Camp. Starting at 3.45 am, Ryan hiked to 5,550m with guidance from Pasang Sherpa in just 2h 15m to 5,550m in just 2h 15m to catch a glimpse at the peak of mighty Everest at sunrise. “I just thought I’ve come all this way and I’ve not gone to the top of a mountain,” explained Ryan, “I really want to do it. This was the only opportunity we had to reach the summit of anything. So the next day we woke up at the crack of dawn to climb Kala Patthar.”

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done. It was so early, I hadn’t eaten and I’d barely slept. It was nearing -20 degrees and no amount of hand warmers and gloves could prevent the frozen fingers. It was the first time I really felt the altitude. Every breath was difficult and I was going up it so slow I was almost going backwards! It was pitch black and so snowy. Even though it was an immense challenge and we had a ten-hour descent later that same day, it was so worth it to reach the peak and see the sun rise over Everest. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Ryan Gledhill

We couldn’t be prouder of them and this massive achievement. If you’re interested in finding out more about PHASE and the amazing work they do, check them out here:

PHASE Worldwide