Asthma didn’t stop me fulfilling my dream of climbing to Everest base camp

Paul has asthma and often struggles with symptoms when the seasons change. Here he talks about how he began cycling to help control his breathing and ended up climbing to Everest base camp!

When I was young, which seems like a long time ago I struggled with asthma and during my teenage years, I remember missing out on many things with friends, family and even my own birthday parties due to attacks, hospitalisation and hay-fever.

It wasn't an easy thing to deal with and would catch me out at random moments. Even now, 40 years later, when the seasons change, I often catch a cold and it leaves me breathless and coughing for weeks.

Cycling began to help me breathe

In my early twenties I started mountain biking and visiting the gym regularly and soon the attacks eased and my wellbeing increased. I took it easy at the beginning, increasing my cardio levels until I could cycle for longer.

I started cycling in the peaks and joining various organised cycling events. When one day my friend asked if I’d like to join him for the ‘etape du tour’. It consists of 115 miles travelling through 3 mountain passes with a mountain top finish on the Col du Tourmalet at over 2,000 metres in altitude. It was one of the best days of my life going over that finish line 9 hours and 20 minutes later.

The ‘bug’ had truly set-in! I began going on cycling holidays in the French Alpes, always having my inhaler in the jersey pocket.

From cycling to walking challenges

I’d also started to walk a little around this time and was asked to join a team and tackle the national 3 peaks in the UK. We completed it in 22 hours 27 minutes and another tick in the box.

I struggled with my mental health around this time and began to exercise less. But eventually I picked it back up and lo and behold, it not only helped my asthma once again, but my mental health improved also.

In 2019 I was asked if I’d like to join a friend on the Everest base camp trek, immediately my heart said yes, the mind started thinking about the high altitude and how it would affect my asthma. There’s 50% less oxygen when you reach 5,000 metres (16,400 ft), base camp is even higher!

Then … the pandemic hit, cancelling the trip 3 times!

Fulfilling my dream!

We finally departed in March 2022. The moment I stepped off the aeroplane in the small mountain airport of Lukla, the altitude and lack of oxygen was noticeable, gasping for air my mind went into overdrive. Will I make the 13 days of trekking to base camp and beyond?

It was up and down throughout the trek, going up and up and finding the air drier and less oxygen giving me headaches and making breathing difficult. But, on the 13th day I woke from limited sleep and began the final push and main trek to base camp. We reached Everest base camp at first light and had the place to ourselves. Just how I like things! The low oxygen levels were noticeable, so we took some pictures and I recorded a video to say thank you for the kind donations and off we went, back down.

The dream was real and I reached my goal, truly magnificent and will be with me always!

I’d say if you suffer from asthma and would like to take on a challenge like the Everest base camp trek then remember: stay positive, be smart and go prepared. You will have a truly amazing life changing trip!

Are you interested in taking on an incredible trekking challenge like Paul? Email us at events@asthmaandlung.org.uk and we’ll support you every step of the way.

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