Fleet cancer survivor climbs Everest
He did it 15 years after being diagnosed
Last updated 14th Jun 2024
A cancer survivor from Fleet is back in the UK after reaching the top of the world's highest peak.
30-year-old Jordan Chhetri has become only the second ever British cancer survivor to reach the summit of Everest.
“Climbing Everest was one of the most incredible, but toughest and scariest, things I’ve ever done,” says Jordan.
On his descent from the summit, Jordan’s climb almost ended in disaster when he tripped and fell 15m down the mountain, only to be caught by his sherpa as he dangled upside down on a cliff edge.
He added; “I was so lucky to be attached to the rope – it saved my life.”
Jordan’s climb is all the more remarkable when you take into account not only his recovery from cancer, but also his dramatic lifestyle change in the lead up to his expedition.
Jordan first discovered a 14 x 9 inch cancerous growth in his chest in 2009 and was diagnosed with non Hodgkin lymphoma.
After 9 months of chemotherapy, Jordan was left with significant scar tissue and some remaining cancer on his lungs that was contained.
In the years that followed, Jordan fell into a life of partying, drink and petty vandalism.
He said, “I was just excited to be alive. I started going out partying with friends, but through meeting new people I fell in with a bad crowd.
“The group I hung around with were all pretty negative, and we were not really motivated – just drifting through life. When you’re around that you can easily be dragged into the same way of thinking.
“I did some stupid things, like petty vandalism, which I really regret now, and used to do stupid dares - some really stupid behaviour.
“I drank way too much and basically ruined my health.”
When Jordan was 27, he was pulled aside by his dad where he had a wakeup call. He added; “I looked in the mirror for ages and asked myself, ‘what am I doing with my life?’.
“I shut off my phone and really reflected. It was very raw and I was honest about who I was at that point. I didn’t like what I saw. I wasn’t a good person. I was always negative. I would always find excuses. I was never accountable for my actions.
“I wanted to change because I realised that it wasn’t a way to live.”
Jordan started with a three kilometre run but had to stop after 100m and walk the rest due to exhaustion – but he persisted.
Fast forward six months and Jordan had changed his whole lifestyle – from his diet to exercise and sleep. He now gets up at 3am for a run and workout at the gym before work.
Jordan’s Everest journey started in 2019 when his dad first told him about the famous mountaineer, Nimsdai.
A few years later, having seen his documentary and been totally inspired, Jordan and his father had the chance to meet Nimsdai at his house.
He said; “We spoke about climbing the highest mountain in the world and he turned to me, looked me in the eye and said, ‘brother, are you ready for what you need to do?’
“For the next 16 months, I was totally committed.”
Having trained in the UK and Nepal with his guides from AGA Adventures, even joining soldiers who were training to be Gurkhas, Jordan successfully summited at 09:35 on 12th May, 2024, almost 15 years to the day from receiving his cancer diagnosis.
After spending time to recover in Nepal, Jordan has now flown back to the UK where he has been reunited with his family.
“I was truly spiralling into a bad place back in 2018, but the idea of climbing Everest was a key motivator in turning my life around,” added Jordan.
“As I’m half Nepalese, Everest is such an important part of our culture. I truly believe that the idea of climbing Everest saved my life for a second time!”