VETERAN marathon runners and charity fundraisers Keith and Linda Tyler are currently recovering from their toughest ever challenge. They have successfully completed a trek to Everest Base Camp.
Keith, 65, said: "We decided to attempt this challenge over a year ago, and planned to undertake some really intense hill training in Wales and the Lake District, during the final two months before the trek."
However, things did not go according to plan when sadly Keith's brother Lennie, a former King of Cleethorpes Carnival Parade, was taken seriously ill.
Lennie spent six weeks in hospital followed by two in a nursing home but sadly passed away in late August, as reported.
With Keith and Linda attending Lennie during his final weeks, any thoughts of training in the hills were set aside – but the athletes were not deterred.
Just three weeks before Keith and Linda were due to fly out to Kathmandu to start their adventure, another mishap struck – Keith suffered an Achilles injury to his right ankle. However, with help from their local physio injury specialist, Martin Ellis, Keith recovered enough to attempt the climb.
Keith said: "With everything going on at that time, especially with our lack of sufficient preparation, Linda and I discussed whether or not we should cancel our plans at the last minute.
"With us both being members of the Cleethorpes Athletic Club, we could only rely on our general fitness from our running background to see us through.
"After much deliberation we finally decided to give it a try, as we had already raised over £400 towards our chosen charity for the challenge, Children with Cancer, and we didn't want to let these deserving children down."
With just one week to go, the couple were horrified to watch reports of the air disaster involving a light aircraft with 19 passengers on board that perished as it set off from Kathmandu to Lukla Airport – one of the most dangerous in the world.
Keith said: "It shocked us greatly, as we were due to take that very same flight just eight days later. Since booking the trip, the flight to Lukla was always a worry, as the landing at Lukla Airport is reputed to be the most dangerous in the world.
"The airstrip is just 465m long and situated on a mountainside ledge, with a 1,000ft drop off at the front end of the landing strip, and a cliff face at the other end.
"It was stated on the TV that there had been six serious accidents there in the last two years alone. That incident at Kathmandu did not help allay our fears".
Despite their concerns, on Wednesday, October 3, Keith and 59-year-old Linda set off for Kathmandu to attempt their adventure in Nepal.
Linda said: "The flight to Lukla turned out to be very exciting and the scenery below us amazing.
"We were relieved though to land safely at Lukla and we joined our group of eight fellow trekkers for the climb up to Everest Base Camp at 17,585ft."
Keith said: "The seven-day climb to Everest Base Camp took us through some really spectacular and breathtaking scenery.
"Some of the overnight stops, however, were in very basic accommodation, some without any facilities, or even running water.
"Linda suffered with a severe cold during the overnight freezing temperatures, and I caught a nasty tummy bug during the journey through the mountains.
"I was pretty washed out by the time we reached our target at Everest Base Camp, and I knew the three-day descent back to Lukla would prove an even tougher challenge for me. It was not made any easier when I developed a severe chest infection on the way down to Namche Bazaar. I was so poorly on the way down that I could barely walk in a straight line.
"One of our fellow trekkers and one of our Sherpa guides walked on the outer edge of the cliff path to ensure I wouldn't fall over the 2,000ft drop and they kept me on the inside of the path. At Namche, a call was made to a doctor in Kathmandu for advice on suitable medical treatment, and a strong antibiotic was prescribed.
"I had to face the final day's trek from Namche to Lukla, which although it was only a 13-mile walk in actual distance, included some really deep descents and tough climbs along the way".
Linda said: "Keith had to mentally zone out and just concentrate on following the feet of the Sherpa guide in front of him."
Thankfully, both Linda and Keith made it safely back to Lukla, where Keith declared never to tackle any more high altitude challenges.
Keith added: "I have done many tough challenges in recent years including running 34 full marathons, two climbs up Kilimanjaro, I've cycled across Rajasthan, done a 10-mile non-stop swim, and many other similar feats, but without a doubt I found this the toughest.
"Being poorly along the way didn't help, but I was so relieved to complete the challenge, thanks to Linda's invaluable help and that of the Sherpa guides too.
"Linda too has faced tough challenges before, including 21 marathons, and climbing Kilimanjaro, and she also found this to be the toughest so far."
Linda added: "We were so relieved to get back to Lukla and complete the trek. Though still recovering from this ordeal, we are now preparing for our next marathon challenge, which is in Orlando in January."
It is still not too late to donate towards Keith and Linda's Everest Challenge, which can be done online at Virgin Money Giving.
Just go to their website and enter Keith Tyler which will direct you to their web page. Or send a cheque (made payable to Children With Cancer) to Westwold Cottage, Owmby Lane, North Kelsey Moor, Lincolnshire, LN7 6HE.
