19 October 2004 00:00 Intrepid Central Networks engineer faces fears to climb to new heights
A Central Networks control engineer battled with appendicitis, fear of Polar bears and extreme cold to climb the Arctic’s highest mountains.
Nigel Vardy from Belper and his team of four climbers from the UK and Germany climbed Gunnbjornsfjeld, the highest mountain in the Artic, and four other mountains in Greenland as apart of a three week expedition.
“It was an eventful but amazing trip which I’ll never forget. We climbed the 3,963m summit first where we enjoyed stunning views of the surrounding mountains that were truly breathtaking,” said Nigel.
Nigel and his team then tackled Dome, the second highest mountain in the Artic, and it was on their decent that Nigel was struck down by illness.
“Being poorly at home is bad enough but, when you’re hundreds of miles away from help with a suspected appendicitis, then things start to get very worrying,” said Nigel.
Luckily his condition improved enough for him to continue with the expedition and summit two further mountains which were previously unclimbed.
As well as his illness and the possibility of Polar bears around the next corner Nigel also had to face two further challenges, 24-hour daylight and tropical temperatures.
“It may seem strange to talk of tropical temperatures but it can get pretty hot when the sun is beating down all day long. High factor sun cream is a must if you are to survive in this fiery landscape,” said Nigel.
Nigel managed to get medical treatment in Iceland before flying home.
With years of experience under his belt, Nigel is used to facing adversity and, five years ago, survived being stranded in Alaska in sub-zero temperatures for several days. As a result he suffered severe frostbite which resulted in the end of his fingers and toes being amputated and the end of his nose having to be re-built.
Nigel recovered from his injuries and, in 2002, returned to the mountains to conquer the 6,189 metre high Island Peak in Nepal.
Having suffered once again for his sport, Nigel says he remains undeterred.
“I love the experience of climbing and have thought long and hard about what to do next,” he said.
“I’ve had great support from my family and friends who have supported my decision to climb again, and over the coming months I’ll visit peaks in Japan, Sumatra and Borneo.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
•Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
•Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
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