The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) has been in dialogue with Nepal, and ‘Seven Summits Treks’, one of the leading climbing companies in Nepal, to discuss guiding a team of Royal Guard soldiers to the summit of the highest mountain in the world. Mount Everest stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level and is regarded by most climbers as the ultimate climbing experience.

The team, selected by His Highness Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor & Commander of the Royal Guard, was put through a rigorous assessment of not just their physical fitness, but also their mental robustness.  This assessment was designed to ensure that each team member is capable of withstanding the extreme conditions that they will be exposed to in the Himalayas.

To prepare themselves for the Mount Everest expedition, the Royal Guard team will look to complete two additional climbs over the next 8 months.  The first will be to a mountain called Lobuche East, which stands at 6119 meters above sea level.  This initial climb will give the team the climbing skills required to progress to the higher peaks in Nepal.

The team will then ascend Mount Manaslu, which stands 8,156 meters above sea level.  This will see the team further develop their skills by climbing above 8,000 meters, commonly known as the ‘death zone which requires the use of a supplemental oxygen system.

Once the team has completed the first two mountains, they will then make their bid to climb Mount Everest in April / May 2021.

Unfortunately, the plan for climbing the first mountain, Lobuche East has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The team has been in daily communications with Seven Summits Treks, the company that will lead the team on all of the expeditions to keep up to date with the situation in Nepal.

Although Nepal has had very few infections from the virus, they have rightly had to enforce a very stringent ‘lockdown’ procedure which has seen all commercial flights into the country halted for an unspecified period.  Given that Nepal’s economy is somewhat reliant on its tourist/climbing income, the halting of flights due to the pandemic has meant that the country and the population have had to endure a very tough time.

It is with this situation in mind that His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with Seven Summit Treks are looking to donate the team’s food supplies, which are already positioned in Kathmandu, to the staff who find themselves isolated up on the Himalaya mountain range with little access to basic food supplies. The owners of Seven Summits Treks have been humbled by the generosity and will be making their donation of food to their staff involved in mountaineering. 

The rice and other food supplies will go a long way in ensuring that the staff and their families make it through this very difficult period.

QUOTE FROM NEPALESE EMBASSY:

“It is an immense pleasure to learn that, under the aegis of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and Board of Trustees Chairman of the Royal Charity Organisation, The Royal Guard team is donating edibles to the Sherpas through Seven Summit Treks. I believe this humane gesture of friendship and kindness bestowed upon the needy ones during such a difficult and unprecedented time will be long cherished by the recipients.

Long-live Nepal-Bahrain Friendship!”

H.E. the Ambassador, Mr Padam Sundas.

QUOTE FROM SEVEN SUMMITS TREKS:

Mingma Sherpa, Chhang Dawa, and Tashi Lakpa Sherpa

“ Our team at Seven Summits Treks is a family and after receiving the news from Bahrain of a Selfless act of kindness directed from His Highness Shk Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, with the donation of the food supplies from Bahrain Royal Guard Team to the staff, we can only consider Bahrain as our Brother. We at Seven Summits Treks thank HIs Highness Sheikh Nasser and look forward to seeing the Royal Guard Team very soon”.