Josh Finds the Andes Handy In His Big Everest Adventure

Josh Lewsey has just phoned to tell me how he failed to reach the summit of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the southern hemipshere, but will go on to Everest in May much the wiser for the experience. The former England and Wasps rugby star went to the 6,962 metre mountain (22,841 feet) on the Argentine-Chilean border with his climbing partner, Major Keith Reesby, but left little time to acclimatise for what is a major hike in anyone's language. It was as a result of this that the 2003 World Cup winner was advised to turn back when close to the summit but, far from being dejected, Lewsey is delighted with the lessons learnt. "I will have weeks and weeks to acclimatise to the high altitude at Everest whereas it was just a handful of days for Aconcagua," he explained. "And climbing in the Andes has given me a taste of what to expect in May in the Himalayas. It's going to be tough but with some luck I know I can make it." So do I. Ultimately the weather and the mountain will decide if Josh reaches the top of the world or not, but it won't be for the lack of trying or guts on Lewsey's part.